detail information

Positive:

• Supports DVD±R/+R DL/-R DL writing at 18x/10x/6x
• Supports DVD+RW/DVD-RW writing at 8x/6x
• Supports Bitsetting on DVD+R/+R DL (BookType to DVD-ROM)
• Can burn some DVD+R/+R DL/-R DL media at higher speed then certified
• Can read 99 min CD-Rs
• Reads CD-ROM/CD-R at 48x
• Reads DVD-Video SL/DVD-Video DL/DVD+RW at 16x/12x/12x
• 2 years warranty with on-site collect & return service (in EU, Norway and Switzerland: Collect & Return)
• Supports many technologies such as:
  • PlexEraser
  • BURN-Proof
  • SecureRecording
  • PoweRec
  • VariRec
  • GigaRec
  • SecuRec
  • Q-Check
• Supports AutoStrategy technology (drive can learn to improve write quality)
• Replaceable and extra bezel (black) included in the retail pack

Negative:

• Does not support Mt. Rainier (with current firmware)
• No Bitsetting support for DVD+RW (BookType to DVD-ROM)
• Does not support CD-RW writing at 32x
• Reads CD-RW/CD-Audio only at 40x
• Reads DVD±R/±R DL only at 12x/8x

Conclusion:

To sum it all up, this is what we would say:

'As this drive is the first official released drive that can write DVD+R/-R at 18x, who will enter the speed competition and be the second one?

During our tests we discovered: the media that can be used to write at 18x is very limited, and with the current firmware, there seems to be only four different media types that are supported at 18x: YUDEN000 T03 (DVD+R), MCC 004 (DVD+R), TYG03 (DVD-R) and MXL RG04 (DVD-R).

But it is important to keep in mind, that we did our tests with the first official firmware, so things may change in upcoming firmware releases, and we are looking forward to see some changes."

As a bottom line we would like to quote Plextor's own words:

'Plextor has developed this Premium DVD-Rewriter PX-760A using the company's proprietary advanced technology to meet the demands of the high-end marketplace. Aimed at enthusiast/professional users who require the ultimate in quality and speed….."

By using our price grabber feature cdfreaks.pricegrabber we did not find any offers, and the same goes for getprice, but at a German local PC-store we found the drive listed at 104.90 €. (March 2006).

You may discuss/comment this article below or in this forum thread.

Thanks to: 

Plextor SA/NV - Belgium for providing the media used is this article.

Ricoh Europe BV - Germany for providing the media used is this article.

SVP Communication - The United Kingdom for providing the media used in this article.

Verbatim (Germany & UK) - for providing the media used in this article.