Help select between DRU-540A and Plextor PX-712A

[salaku]

Hi guys,
Help me in selecting between Sony DRU-540A and Plextor PX-712A. Both drives have very good reviews everywhere and are very similar except for plextor has 8MB cache campared to the low 2MB cache on Sony. Both do 12X DVD+, 4X DVD+-RW, 8X DVD-R. Any recommendations?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

of those 2...Plextor

 

[Blain]

I'm a Plextor fan also.

 

[airfoil]

The Plextor wins by a mile, given your choices.

However, I'd look at buying a writer that offers 16x speeds.

 

[Auric]

I am inclined to advise avoiding both. Sony is no doubt a re-brand of something available cheaper and the Plextor is as always overpriced.

16x is a bit dodgey as some drives actually burn faster at 12x and by the time the media is generally available will any premium be worth it for the average user? A cheap, well supported drive like the NEC 3500A looks good for the interim as there is still a lot of room for improvement in all speeds other than SL +R, MRW is still oddly absent, and DVD-RAM will be added to more chipsets in the near future.

See cdfreaks, cdrinfo, cdrlabs, rpc1.org, videohelp.

 

[gullyrip1]

pioneer dvr-108

 

[Subhuman25]

Originally posted by: gullyrip1
pioneer dvr-108

I'll second the Pioneer DVR-108

 

[Vaco]

Are you looking for write quality or read quality? You made no mention of DL.

 

[mauiblue]

Plexor is da bomb, baby! Don't need dual layer at the moment so the PX-708a is alright by me.

 

[BFG10K]

I'd go with Sony.

 

[Manzelle]

Plextor

 

[suklee]

Plextor

 

[calyco]

Definitely Plextor, their drives are rock solid.

 

[kazeakuma]

Originally posted by: Auric
I am inclined to advise avoiding both. Sony is no doubt a re-brand of something available cheaper and the Plextor is as always overpriced.

16x is a bit dodgey as some drives actually burn faster at 12x and by the time the media is generally available will any premium be worth it for the average user? A cheap, well supported drive like the NEC 3500A looks good for the interim as there is still a lot of room for improvement in all speeds other than SL +R, MRW is still oddly absent, and DVD-RAM will be added to more chipsets in the near future.

See cdfreaks, cdrinfo, cdrlabs, rpc1.org, videohelp.

I thought Sony's rebadging was on the CD based drives as they stopped production of those long ago. I've seen no mention of their DVD writers being rebadges (also have 2 myself, DRU-510A and DRU-700A) and can't fault them at all, even though I was initially a bit worried by the 2mb buffer it proves to be a nonexistant issue (never had a bad burn, buffer running low etc, not even Buffer underrun prevention has had to kick in and I play games while I burn DVDs). That said, Plextor seems to be the better brand when it comes down to it. I do agree on the 16X comments though, I've been vastly underwhelmed by the reviews on them and I'm quite happy with the DRU-700A (12X+/-, Dual layer).

 

[Big Lar]

I have the Plextor PX-712SA, and I like it alot. Plenty of options with Plextools, and a Very fast burner.
Tho I might add that Plextor is now selling the 16x as well.

 

[zodder]

I have the Plextor 712A as well and it has been great so far. PlexTools is a wonderful suite of tools, too. I highly recommend the Plextor.

 

[Painman]

I have the Plextor 712A, it hasn't spit a single coaster out at me, I'm very happy with it. It also comes with Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator Basic, if that helps you decide.