I am a bit confused here. I have a Plextor PX-708A that was built into my new computer in December 2003. The computer is a P4 2.8gHz, 1gb ram, dual 120gb HD Raid 0 and dual 200gb hd Raid 0 running XP home. I have always had great backup / burns with this drive no matter the media. I consistantly use the Ridata +R from Newegg and am lucky to coaster 1 out of 100. Lately though my backups are skipping and jumpy. I've blown out the drive and even as a last resort ran a lens cleaner. I usually use DVDFab Decrypter or RipIt4Me, then VOB Blanker, then Recode or Shrink and finally Nero Burning Rom (6.x). Side note: My buffer stays at 87% - is this an issue? I think it has always been about 87%. Any thoughts or way to test the drive? It's really odd. Some of the backups that have given me problems are: Casino Royale, the Prestige, even Dukes of Hazzard - the Beginning. I have no issue ripping them but in the last 2-3 weeks my playback issues are huge. Any thoughts? Greatly appreciated!! Thanks all.
Are the backup's skippy and jumpy in a dvd player or the drive itself when you play them back? If you haven't tried playing them in something else try that. If it's the dvd player the lens in that may be dusty and need cleaning. Firmware up to date on the drive? The latest is 1.12. Might also be the discs - possible you have a bad batch. Wat speed are you burning them at? May just want to try taking it down a notch & see if that helps.
They are jumpy in a DVD player (two different to be exact) - not sure about I've tried other media - tried buring at 4x - tired -R and +R on the same movie and still same issues. I never go past the 20% compression and most are in the upper 90's. I've used compressed air and even as a last resort ran a DVD cleaner through all of them. Latest firmware - yes 1.12. Now I took Charlotte's Web - skipped a lot burned on my Plextor. Burned one on my Laptop with a NEC DL burner using the same Ridata 16X media and it was golden.
When then orion6192 looks like it may just be the burner. You can always try putting it in another pc and see if you get the same playback problems. If you do then yep more than likely it about time to replace the Plextor.
All right - I went for the Lite-on LH-20A1H-186 $38.99 @ Newegg - dropped down to $37.99 overnight though. I receive it Friday - the 13th - bad omen? LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 8X DVD-R DL 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE Burner with LightScribe Technology - Retail Model Brand LITE-ON Type DVD Burner Model LH-20A1H-186 Performance DVD-ROM Access Time 160ms CD-ROM Access Time 160ms WRITE Speed DVD+R 20X DVD+RW 8X DVD-R 20X DVD-RW 6X CD-R 48X CD-RW 32X DVD+R DL 8X DVD-R DL 8X DVD-RAM 12X READ Speed DVD-ROM 16X CD-ROM 48X Physical Spec LightScribe Support Yes Form Factor 5" Panel Color Black Configuration Load Type Tray Interface IDE Software Operating Systems Supported Windows 98/ ME/ 2000/ XP Software Contents Nero I was shooting for the new TurboPlex PX-800A but the tech support at Plextor said it would be within a month but they were also already working on firmware fixes - so with much prompting - I jump into the Lite-On arena.
I plan on installing it today - will update. Side note: I updated my Nero from 6.3.1.25 to 6.6.1.15a and burned Casino Royale with my Plextor and it burned great (as far as I can tell). Coincidence? Seems odd...
Try and burn a few more with the updated Nero on the Plextor - see how it goes. The newer of Nero mighthave made a diff but I'm really not leaning towards that cause you should have had these problems sooner if it was a version issue. I'd still keep the Plextor installed worst case you can use it as a reader.
