1. Introduction
PleXWriter
PX-W4012U external CDR-W -
Page 1
- Introduction
Plextor's latest model with the codename PX-W4012A was the first recorder
that supported 40x writing, leading the writing race. The external USB version
of this drive is the PleXWriter PX-W4012U v1.02. The USB 2.0 interface allows
manufacturers to develop external drives based to ATAPI ones, with not any performance
limitations and additionally, with plug&play features. The firmware of PX-W4012A
is new and there will be possible performance variations between this drive
and its internal brother.
- Features
We have already met the various technologies behind Plextor PX-W4012A family
("BurnProof", "PoweRec II" and "VariRec") in our
PX-W4012A review. The PX-W4012U offers users an extra troubleshooting diagnostic
tool. The Selftest function determines whether a possible writing problem is
related to the drive or media.
On
the rear panel of the drive you can see the Selftest switch. To start the diagnostic
test you should firstly turn the power off and unplug the USB cable. Slide back
the Selftest cover at the back of the drive and hold the eject button while
you turn the power back on. The disc tray will open and you should insert a
blank CD. Close the tray and the diagnostic test will start automatically and
will take a couple of minutes.
If the disc is ejected automatically after the test, no problem with the device
has been detected. In case the indicator produces series of orange blinks, the
inserted disc is not blank or it is scratched or dirty. If the CD is not ejected,
and the CD indicator produces series of 2 green blinks, an initialization error
has occurred. Lastly, if the CD is not ejected and the indicator produces single
green blinks, a read or write error has occurred.
- 40x writing speed
PleXWriter PX-W4012U supports the 40x writing speed with the use of the Z-CLV
writing technology.
The drive starts writing at 20x, shifts up to 24x at 8mins, up to 32x at 28mins
and lastly up to 40x at 54mins. The average theoretical speed is 30.58X,
which is improved compared to the initial v1.00 firmware (29.91X).
Plextor PX-W4012U uses a black tray to reduce the jitter and to increase the
quality of the burned CD. In addition an optimized PCB (power circuit board)
circuit being used to reduce noise to get a higher quality of CD. Both those
systems are found in Plextor's PLEXMASTER-01 recorder that costs over $10.000
,and used for PS2 mastering proposes.
Let's now pass over the recording specifications. The drive supports the following
writing modes: Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Session-at-Once, Multisession, and
variable/fixed packet writing.
Plextor PX-W4012A drive supports: 4X, 8X, 16X, 20x (CLV) and 20-24X, 20-32X
and 20-40X (Zone-CLV) writing speeds, as PlexTools v1.14 reports. The re-writing
speeds are 4X, 10X and 12X (CLV):
Plextor no more reduces maximum writing speed when AudioCD format is selected.
In the internal PX-W4012A mode, this speed was reduced at 16x-24x, while with
the external model it doesn't. The"Seek Time" of the drive is aproximately120ms.
Although Plextor had announced the drive would support Mt. Rainier, with current
firmware it doesn't. As our tests have shown, proper Mt. Rainier implementation
is difficult for most manufacturers, and Plextor wants to offer the best results.
It is not yet known when the drive is expected to support the Mt. Rainier
(CD-MRW) format but as soon the format is finalized, new Plextor firmware upgrades
will support it.
2. Package - Installation
PleXWriter
PX-W4012U external CDR-W -
Page 2
- The package
We
got the European retail package which contains: PlexWriter 40/12/40U, 5 blank
Plextor 80min 40x CD-R disks (made from Hitachi Maxell), 1 blank Plextor 4-10x
HS-RW disk, CD-Recording software Nero + InCD (OEM version), Plextor Utility
software (PlexTools), manual in 16 languages, 1 USB cable and the AC power adapter.
The drive has 2 years of warranty (only valid in Europe, Middle-East and Africa)
and Plextor's unique On-Site Collect and return Service (EU countries + Norway
and Switzerland).
The PleXWriter PX-W4012U is placed in a well designed silver case. The front
panel is black and contains the PleXWriter 40/12/40U logos, indication led,
the eject button and the headphone jack.
In the rear panel of the drive you will find the power supply, the USB cable
connector, the power switch, the audio connector and the SelfTest switch.
- Installation
The
Plextor PX-W4012U was installed through the USB 2.0 interface. The drive was
identified as a "PLEXTOR CD-R PX-W4012A". WinXP activated DMA
without our interference.
The drive was a June 2002 model with firmware revision v1.02 and TLA#0102
hardware revision. We used Nero v5.5.8.4 CloneCD v3.3.4.1 and Ahead InCD v3.31
for the recording tests.
3. Data Tests
PleXWriter
PX-W4012U external CDR-W-
Page 3
Data Tests
- Pressed CD results: (Click to see the CD
Speed Graph)
At the Nero CD Speed test with PlexTools pressed disc, the PX-W4012U showed
the same performance as the PX-W4012A, reading the disc at 31.78x average speed.
In the Seek times test, PX-W4012U seems to be slightly faster than its internal
brother, but it still does not take the lead among the other drives.
- CDR Media: (Click to see the CD
Speed Graph)
With CDR media, the Plextor external drive shows the same behavior as in
the previous test.
For one more time the situation is the same, not much to add.
- HS-RW media: (Click to see the CD
Speed Graph)
For the RW tests we used the attached a Mitsubishi Chemical media written
at maximum speed. The drive is faster than the PX-W4012A, but cannot take the
lead in the test and stays in the third best performance position.
4. CloneCD Tests
PleXWriter
PX-W2410U external CDR-W-
Page 4
CloneCD Tests
- Procedure
We used CloneCD (v4.0.1.6) and 4 original CDs - Serious Sam 2 (SafeDisc 2),
Desperados (LaserLock 2), V-Rally 2 Expert (SecuROM 2) and NBA Jam Extreme (PSX)
- in order to test the reading time of the drives. We also tested the reading
performance with backups of the original CDs, since the reading speed varies
between original and backup media. The following pictures show the drive reading/writing
capabilities as CloneCD reports:
- PSX Pressed Media
For this test we used the PSX game 'NBA Jam Extreme' and we ripped the image
to the HD with CloneCD. Both Plextor drives and Teac CD-W540E finished the task
in just 54 seconds.
- SafeDisc v.2 Results
Unlike to the PX-W4012A, the external drive did not manage to keep the highest
performance and gets the second place in both original and backup CD tests.
- LaserLock v.2 Results
With the LaserLock2 protected disc, the PX-W4012U is slightly faster than
the PX-W4012A, but cannot lead the original CD test. In the backup CD test the
drive improves its speed and gets the third position.
- SecuROM Results
All tested drives can read SubChannel data from Data/Audio tracks. CyberDrive
CW078D is the fastest drive and the PX-W4012U gets the last position with a
similar behavior to PX-W4012A.
5. DAE Tests
PleXWriter
PX-W4012U external CDR-W-
Page 5
DAE Tests
DAE features
EAC
reports that the drive supports the "caching" feature, provides accurate
stream and C2 error info.
Pressed AudioCD results
PlexWriter PX-W4012A ripped the audio files at 28.3x average speed. The drive
is slower than the PX-W4021A and CyberDrive CW078D holds the first position
with 34.6x.
CDR AudioCD results
Ripping a copy of the pressed audio CD was a little harder for PX-W4012U,
and the drive lowered the average speed to 27.7x.
EAC Secure Extract Ripping mode
For each drive we used the build-in detection function:
|
Tested Drives
|
Average DAE Speed (X)
|
|
Pressed
|
CDR
|
|
CyberDrive CW-078D
|
8.5
|
8.8
|
|
Teac CD-W540E
|
8.4
|
8.8
|
|
CyQve 4048
|
10.2
|
10.5
|
|
Plextor PX-W4012A
|
7.3
|
7.1
|
|
Plextor PX-W4012U
|
7.7
|
7.2
|
Advanced DAE Quality
All tested drives got a 100 score (best) in the Nero CD Speed Advanced DAE
test. None of the five drives produced any errors and the PX-W4012U gave a 29.9x
average speed, and can read CD-text, subchannel data and leadin/leadout data.
CD-Check Audio Test Disc
|
Error Level
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
|
Plextor PX-W4012U
|
5/5
|
5/5
|
5/5
|
5/5
|
0/5
|
The PX-W4012U fulfilled the forth level requirement of CD-Check test disc.
The drive didn't produce any pops during the playback process until that level.
Bad CDR Media results
The disc has fingerprints and includes light scratches, enough in order cause
problems to most of the tested drives. We used CD DAE v0.3beta software to rip
the whole disc (756539616 sectors) and the results are posted in the following
table:
|
|
Average Speed (X)
|
Errors
|
Errors Of Total Disc (%)
|
|
CyberDrive CW-078D
|
3.7
|
509053
|
0.07
|
|
Teac CD-W540E
|
4.5
|
0
|
0
|
|
CyQve 4048
|
8.4
|
37396
|
0
|
|
PleXWriter PX-W4012A
|
22.6
|
86674027
|
11.46
|
|
Plextor PX-W4012U
|
21.6
|
137944023
|
18.23
|
The best reader for this test comes from Teac. The drive lowered its reading
speed down to 4.5x and managed to produce no reading errors at this roundup.
The CyberDrive CW058D comes second a low overall error rate. PlexWriter PX-W4012U
was fast but gave a 18.23% error rate.
Ripping 90 and 99mins AudioCDs
|
Tested Drives
|
Ripping up to
|
|
PlecWriter PX-W4012U
|
Ripping up to 93min
|
Reading/Ripping Protected AudioCDs
For the test procedure we used 2 protected AudioCDs, which we
tested in both recognition and ripping (with EAC) processes:
* Pressed AudioCD with Sony Key2Audio (Celine Dion - New Day Has
Come)
* Pressed AudioCD with Cactus Data Shield 200 (Natalie Imbruglia - White Lilies
Island)
|
|
Key2Audio
|
CDS200
|
|
EAC
|
|
Plextor PX-W4012A
|
Rips entire disc without problems
|
Rips entire disc without problems under
special settings
|
|
CyberDrive CW-078D
|
Rips entire disc without problems
|
|
Teac CD-W540E
|
Rips entire disc without problems
|
Rips entire disc without problems under
special settings
|
|
CyQve 4048
|
Cannot recognize disc contents
|
Can rip disc contents without any issues
|
|
Plextor PX-W4012U
|
Rips entire disc without problems
|
As the test results showed, Plextor PX-W4012U can "handle" protected
AudioCDs without any issues..
6. CDR Tests
PleXWriter
PX-W4012U external CDR-W -
Page 6
CDR Tests
- Procedure
We tested the drive with latest version of Nero/CloneCD. We used various media
for our tests. For a complete supported media list visit Plextor Europe website.
We burned CDs at almost all recording speeds from 20x up to 40x using the SAME
amount of data for all drives. The drive will not warn you if a media cannot
be burned at 40x or 32x recording speed. Other manufacturers automatically drop
recording speed when media cannot handle maximum recording speed. The good in
that case is that user can understand which media can be used in each recording
speed. With PX-W4012U you just select 40x recording speed, and drive chooses
automatically, through PoweRec II system, the appropriate burning speed.
The posted recording times are the best we had from our test results. Using
other media can increase the final burning time.
- Recording Tests
For all the recording tests, we used slightly more than 80min data (80:01:47).
At 20x, Plextor external drive gave the same results with its
internal brother.
At 24x, the PX-W4012U is just one second faster than the PX-W4012A.
The fastest writer in this test is CyberDrive CW078D with 229 seconds.
At 32x, the PX-W4012U gave the third best recording time with
208 seconds, while CyberDrive still holds the first place with 196 seconds.
At the maximum supported writing speed, the PX-W4012U is 8 seconds faster
than the Plextor ATAPI drive, and gave the third lower recording time.
- Overburning Tests
|
Tested Drive
|
Writing up to
|
|
PlexWriter PX-W4012U
|
93mins
|
- CD-Text Results
The drive can read/write CD-Text without any problems.
- CloneCD Writing Tests
The
CloneCD v4.0.1.6 reports that all drives support the DAO-RAW feature. For the
EFM correction (SD2 test) we used 'Serious Sam - The Second Encounter"
and "Medal Of Honor" game titles. We performed both software/hardware
EFM corrections test. The drive supports only software EFM correction. The drive
doesn't limit its recording speed under DAO-RAW mode and writes up to 40x, with
of course the proper media.
|
Tested Drives
|
DAO-RAW writing speed
|
Software EFM Correction
|
Hardware EFM Correction
|
|
PX-W4012U
|
40x
|
Yes ( v2.50.021+)
|
No
|
7. Writing Quality Tests
PleXWriter
PX-W40120U external CDR-W -
Page 7
Writing Quality Tests
We used Nero 5.5.8.2 as the CDR software. The produced CDs, were measured
from DigitalDrives
and results are illustrated in the following tables:
- 32x writing speed
|
Brand
|
C1
|
Average Burning Time (mins)
|
|
Max
|
Average
|
|
Taiyo Yuden 80min (40x)
|
161
|
30.5
|
3:32
|
|
Plasmon 80min (24x)
|
19
|
1.2
|
3:34
|
|
Ritek 80min (24x)
|
26
|
3
|
3:36
|
The best quality results for PleXWriter PX-W4012U at 32x come with Plasmon
80min 24x media. Taiyo Yuden 80min 40x discs gave the best writing time but
the C1 error rate is higher.
- 40x writing speed
|
Brand
|
C1
|
Average Burning Time (mins)
|
|
Max
|
Average
|
|
Plextor 80min (40x)
|
20
|
1.1
|
3:22
|
|
Mitsubishi Chemicals 80min (48x)
|
52
|
5.1
|
3:18
|
|
Prodisc 80min (32x)
|
26
|
1.7
|
3:28
|
|
SmartBuy 80min (32x)
|
54
|
6.6
|
3:27
|
|
Mitsui SG Ultra 80min (40x)
|
21
|
1
|
3:27
|
At 40x, the Mitsui SG Ultra 80min 40x media gave a very low error rate. Very
good results were also presented with Plextor (Hitachi-Maxell) 80min 40x media,
which are bulked with the drive. The overall writing quality of the drive in
the supported media is high. With un-supported media, the overall writing time
is a higher (up to 10secs), and the writing quality is not as good as you might
expected. Lastly, the drive doesn't seem to behave correctly with the new Mitsubishi
Chemicals 48x media. Even it gave the best results, the produced quality is
not as with other media.
- AudioCD writing quality
We measured the quality of some audio CDs recorded in the maximum 40x speed,
at 24x, at 4x and again at 4x with the VariREC feature set to "0".
The media we used for all the tests was Mitsubishi Chemicals 80min 48x. You
can see the results in the table below.
|
Speed recorded
|
C1
|
C2
|
Recording time
|
|
Max
|
Av
|
|
40x
|
26
|
2
|
0
|
3:19
|
|
24x
|
16
|
0.3
|
0
|
3:48
|
|
4x
|
20
|
0.6
|
0
|
19:37
|
|
4x VariREC set to "0"
|
13
|
0.6
|
0
|
19:40
|
The graph below comes from the CD we wrote at 40x, and the second one from
the 4x recording with the VariREC feature enabled and set to "0"
Notice that the vertical axis is valued in logarithmic scale.
The quality in the 4x recording speed is higher than in 40x, even if the difference
is not easily recognized. However, the media we used is high quality and in
a different case the role of the VariRec feature would be more efficient.
8. RW-Packet Writing Tests
PleXWriter
PX-W4012U external CDR-W -
Page 08
RW-Packet Writing Tests
The PleXWriter PX-W4012U drive supports 12x re-writing speed with specific
media (bulked media). The test results are better than with other drives since
the drive finished the task at 6:38mins. The CyberDrive CW078D is the faster
drive since it supports 16x re-writing:
- Packet Writing Tests
We used Ahead InCD v3.31 for the packet writing tests with the the bulked
HS-RW media. The formatted disc had 534mbs of free space. We copied a 403 MB
file (403.147 kbs) from a Hard Disk (on the same PC as the writers) to the formatted
RW media using Windows Explorer (we dragged and dropped) and we completed the
test twice to eliminate any possible time measurement faults and user errors:
The drive didn't performed as we expected. Even its performance is the same
the PX-W4012A, it far away from the TEAC and CyQve drives. Again the CyberDrive
CW078D performed higher, due to its 16x re-writing speed.
9. Conclusion
PleXWriter
PX-W4012U external CDR-W -
Page 09
Conclusion
|
Positive (+)
|
Negative (-)
|
|
- "BURN-Proof" anti-coaster
technology
- "PoweRec II" quality monitor system
- "VariRec" recording mode
- "SelfTest" diagnostic feature
- Plextor promises Mt. Rainier support with firmware upgrade
- 4MB of Buffer
- Good DAE ripping speed
- Good writing quality
- Supports DAO-RAW writing mode
- Can read/write SubChannel Data from Audio/Data tracks
- Supports CD-Text (read/write)
- Supports Overburning (up to 93mins)
- More than complete retail package - Nero 5.5x, 5 pieces of 40x CDR media
and PlexTools
- European retail package offers 2 years of warrantee
- Quiet operation
|
- Maximum reading speed is only 40x
- Doesn't support hardware EFM correction
- Limited media support for 40x writing speed
- Limited support of 12x HS-RW media
- DAE ripping quality needs improvement with scratched media
|
The PleXWriter PX-W4012U is a new external recorder from Plextor, continuing
a tradition of solid and un-problematic operation recorders. The drive is based
upon the internal PX-W4012A, but with several enchaments. The drive writes at
40x faster than its twin brother, due to new firmware, and AudioCD authoring
is permitted up to 40x. The "PowerRec II" system is again present
and in general the writing quality stays in high levels with proper media. No
changes found at the VariRec function and a new tool is present called "SelfTest"
diagnostics. The retail package is complete and the offered 2 years of warranty
(for European users) gives a big motive to possible buyers. Lastly we must note
the drives quiet operation, compared to other drives of the same category.
On the negative side, the drive is slower than competition, in reading speeds,
due to its lower maximum speed (40X), while the supported media list for 40X
is still limited. The DAE performance was a bit lower than what we had measured
with the PX-W4012A, and Mt. Rainier is not present, even Plextor claims that
it is on the way.
The suggested retail price in Europe is 239 Euro (excl. VAT), but probably
the price in shops will be lower. If you are looking for a quality external.recorder,
PX-W4012U can cover your needs.