The Plextor 12x/10x/32x is currently the most useful and most productive hardware component on my PC. This drive can burn CDR’s at the speed of 12x, can burn CDRW’s at 10x, and can read CD’s at the speed of 32x. Not only is this drive absolutely fast in burning CDR(W)’s, the reader is top of the line and can rip audio at amazing speeds. As of right now, most popular CDR mastering software, such as Ahead Nero, Adaptec Easy CD, Padus DiscJuggler, and GoldenHawk CDRWIN, fully support this drive with its current firmware. For people who treasure time, the Plextor 12x/10x/32x can burn a full 74 minute CDR in about 6 minutes and 30 seconds, which impressed me when I tried this speed for the first time.
One feature that makes the Plextor stand out from the crowd of CDRW’s that are on the market is that built in feature called BURN (Buffer UndeRuN) Proof, which will burn an entire CDR(W) even if the internal 4096 KB of cache is depleted because of an anomaly. For example, if you were to Burn a CDR, and all of a sudden the Burn Process is interrupted because the source of the data cannot keep up, the Plextor 12x/10x/32x 32x will immediately stop the Laser, re-fill the cache and then continue to burn the CD by placing the laser 60nm away from the last pit that was written on and continuing the burn. This technique is pioneered by Sanyo, which this feature is also included in the Sanyo CDRW’s. In my entire experience with the Plextor CDRW drive, I have never had a bad write due to Buffer Underun.
Plextor CDR(W) and CDROM Drives have gained very good recognition for their excellent reading capabilities. These drives are capable of reading data and audio precisely, and as for audio, correctly. I feel that Audio should only be ripped from a Plextor Drive to satisfy the user to the fullest. I ripped an entire Music CD in less than 3 minutes and the audio was perfect. Correct Audio ripping is a luxury as for CDROM drives go, and the Plextor does the job perfectly.
The installation was a breeze because this drive runs off of an IDE Bus and not SCSI. I personally prefer SCSI because the SCSI bus is more efficient for reducing the risks of Buffer Underun, but even though this drive runs off of the less efficient IDE Bus, the BURN Proof compensates for the drive, and you cannot have a “bad write” due to Buffer Underun. This is a wonderful feature for every type of user, and everyone will benefit from this feature either directly or indirectly.
The only problem with this drive is that some CDR Media do not work on this drive properly. I’m ending up spending a little more money for CDR’s that support the 12x speed. The 12x speed of the Plextor Drive is wonderful, but be aware that not all CDR media can handle being burned at that speed, especially cheaper brands.




Recommended: Yes