PleXWriter PX-W4824U CD-RW

Review Pages

1. Introduction/Installation
2. Data Reading Tests
3. CD Error Correction
4. CloneCD Reading Tests
5. DAE Tests
6. CDR Tests
7. Writing Quality Tests
8. RW/Packet Writing Tests
9. Mt. Rainier Tests
10. Conclusion

PleXWriter PX-W4824U CDR-W - Page 10

Conclusion

Positive (+)

Negative (-)

- 48X writing permitted for Audio authoring
- Satisfactory supported media list for the 48X writing speed
- Lowest seek time of the industry (<65ms)
- C2 error information is supported with high accuracy
- Very good "Writing quality"
- Average error correction capabilities
- "PoweRec" technology can be de-activated
- "VariRec" recording mode
- Good DAE ripping speed
- Fair protected discs reading performance with the proper software
- SD2 v2.51.021+ backups will work in many CD-RW drives
- Can "handle" protected Audio discs
- Supports CD-Text (read/write) and overburning (up to 95mins)
- Complete retail package (Nero 5.5x, 5 pieces of 48x CDR media and PlexTools)
- European retail package offers 2 years of warranty

- Mt. Rainier implementation doesn't currently passes EasyWrite test suite
- SD2 v2.51.021+ backups will not work with most CD/DVD-ROMS
- Cannot rip 99min Audio discs

The PX-W4824U comes to complete the 48X series for Plextor. After having tested the PX-W4824A we waited from Plextor to improve the drive with the newest firmware upgrade and to maximize its reading/recording performance. The PX-4824U with the latest v1.02 firmware performed in most cases similarly to the PX-W4824A drive. The external case design looks very attractive and solid made. After all Plextor's main slogan is "King Of Quality".

Lets now see the main positive and of course negative points...

The strongest point of the PX-W4824A is the very good writing quality either with PoweRec enabled/disabled. The PX-W4824U offers the same and even slightly improved writing quality with a wide variety of media. Even when PoweRec is disabled, the produced discs have a very low C1 error rate. The current supported media list is longer than the one for PX-W4824A and for sure newer firmware revisions will optimise the writing strategy of the drive.

In the reading part the drive didn't reach the top compared to other 48X recorders but we can consider as a positive point its quiet operation. Audiophiles will like the drive's ability to rip CDS200 and Key2Audio protected audio discs and of course the utilization of the "VariRec" technology. The DAE ripping speeds were average due to the maximum supported 40X reading speed and the C2 error information is present with high accuracy as EAC's analyzer software showed. The Mode1 discs can be read at 48X speed with the "SpeedRead" function that can be enabled either within PlexTools or through the drive's eject button (pressing for some seconds).

In the negative points, the current Mt. Rainier implementation doesn't pass the EasyWrite test suite, backups of SD2 v2.51.021+ discs will work only in many CD-RW and not at CD-ROM drives. Users who have written 99min discs will face problems since the drive will not properly read them.

The PleXWriter PX-W4824U offers improved performance in specific areas, compared with the PX-W4824A. The external case with the USB2.0 interface will please users who wish a fast, easy to use and mostly reliable recorder. The European retail package is complete with 5 CD-R media, exclusive PleXTools software and 2 years of warranty. The retail price is expected to be around 175~195 Euro.