Plextor PX-712A Dual DVD±RW recorder - Page 20

PleXTools vs. SA300 - Page 3

For checking exactly what the PX-712A reports, we used three different media, burned with other recorders. These three media have been measured with the well known AudioDev SA300 DVD CATS system. For your comparisons, we post the PIPO and Beta/Jitter measurements. We post only the SUM8 and SUM1 test results along with BETA/Jitter. In order to fully test a disc, you need 30mins for SUM8, 30mins for SUM1 and 15mins for BETA/Jitter, which equals a totsl of 75 mins, more even from the CATS!

#3rd Test Disc - PISum8 Comparison

With the third test disc, the PISum8 error rate looks like the SA300 series. The values compared with the CATS results aren't at the same levels, but in general we are satisfied.

#3rd Test Disc - PIF Comparison

The PIF error rate with the SA300 series doesn't exceed the limit (4) but did with the PX-712A. Its interesting to see that at the same points the SA300 and PX-712A returned high spikes of PIF error rates.

#3rd Test Disc - POF Comparison

#3rd Test Disc - DCJitter/BETA/ASYM Comparison

The BETA trend line looks very close to what the famous CATS reported. PlexTools reports increased Jitter error rate at the outer areas of the disc and the CATS agreed, however with much smoother line than what the PX-712A reported.

- Summary

After having compared three test disc results measured with CATS and with PX-712A, we are happy that finally end users can do accurate measurements, and close to what proffesionals are using. From the first place we didn't expect any miracles, remember PX-712A costs only few hundred Euros when CATS costs thousands. For sure, we would like to have other reading speeds options than the default 2X CLV, since if you decide to do PISum8/Sum1 and Beta/Jitter scans, for one disc you must spend around 1:15hours. If only PlexTools could report PISum8/Sum1 and Beta/Jitter with one pass would be great :-)