PlexTools® Professional
Reference Guide
SOFTWARE FOR DVD AND CD-R/CD-RW DRIVES
APRIL 2003
Plextor reserves the right to make improvements in the products described in this
manual at any time without prior notice.
Plextor makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents hereof
and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for
any particular purpose. Further, Plextor Corp. reserves the right to revise this manual
and to make changes in its content without obligation to notify any person or
organization of such revision or change.
This manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not be copied, photocopied,
translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form without
Plextor’s prior permission.
Manual copyright ©2003 Plextor Corp. First edition, April 2003.
Licenses and Trademarks
Plextor, PlexTools, and the Plextor logo are registered trademarks; and PlexWriter is
a trademark of Plextor Corp. All other licenses and trademarks are property of their
respective owners.
Table of Contents
1. System Requirements ...................................................................................... 1
2. Installing PlexTools Professional.................................................................... 3
3. Getting Started................................................................................................. 5
Launching the Software ..................................................................................... 5
Selecting the Adapter and Drive ........................................................................ 6
Using the Options Menu .................................................................................... 7
Getting Help....................................................................................................... 8
4. PlexTools Professional Functions ................................................................... 9
General Information........................................................................................... 9
Adapter Information Window........................................................................ 10
Changing the Drive Settings .............................................................................. 11
Selecting Basic Drive Settings....................................................................... 11
Selecting Advanced Drive Settings................................................................ 12
Changing VariRec Settings............................................................................ 13
Changing GigaRec Settings ........................................................................... 13
Procedure for GigaRec Recording ................................................................. 14
Changing Silent Mode Settings...................................................................... 15
Changing SecuRec Settings ........................................................................... 16
Procedure for Making a SecuRec Disc .......................................................... 16
Getting Drive Information ................................................................................. 17
Drive Information–General............................................................................ 17
Drive Information–CD Read.......................................................................... 18
Drive Information–CD Write......................................................................... 19
DVD Read...................................................................................................... 20
DVD Write..................................................................................................... 21
Retrieving CD/DVD Information ...................................................................... 22
Using Multimedia Player ................................................................................... 24
Multimedia File Types................................................................................... 25
Create/Edit Playlist ........................................................................................ 26
Using Audio CD Player ..................................................................................... 27
Performing Digital Audio Extraction................................................................. 28
Track Options ................................................................................................ 29
Other Options................................................................................................. 29
DAE Progress Window.................................................................................. 30
Digital Audio Extraction Preferences ............................................................ 31
Using AudioCD Maker...................................................................................... 35
Audio CD Maker Properties .......................................................................... 36
Audio CD Maker Write Dialog...................................................................... 37
Audio CD Maker Progress............................................................................. 38
Using CD-ROM Maker...................................................................................... 39
CD-ROM Maker Options .............................................................................. 40
CD-ROM Maker Preferences......................................................................... 42
Copying a Disc................................................................................................... 43
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide iii
Table of Contents
Entering CD Text........................................................................................... 45
Making a Disc Copy ...................................................................................... 46
Changing Preferences for CD Copy............................................................... 47
Specifying Recording Options ....................................................................... 48
Erasing a CD-RW or DVD RW ......................................................................... 50
Performing a CD Test ........................................................................................ 51
Testing Read Transfer Rate................................................................................ 52
Testing Write Transfer Rate............................................................................... 53
Choosing Transfer Rate Test Preferences ...................................................... 54
Measuring Q-Check C1/C2 Errors..................................................................... 55
Q-Check C1/C2 Preferences .......................................................................... 56
Procedure for Measuring C1/C2/CU Errors................................................... 56
Measuring Q-Check Focus Error and Tracking Error........................................ 57
FE/TE Test Preferences.................................................................................. 58
Procedure for Measuring TE/FE .................................................................... 58
Measuring Beta/Jitter ......................................................................................... 59
Beta/Jitter Preferences.................................................................................... 60
Customizing General Preferences ...................................................................... 61
Customizing freedb Settings .............................................................................. 63
freedb Server Settings .................................................................................... 64
freedb Proxy Server Settings.......................................................................... 65
freedb Database Settings................................................................................ 65
For More Information .................................................................................... 65
Appendix A: Glossary.......................................................................................... 67
Appendix B: Error Messages .............................................................................. 71
Errors During Installation .................................................................................. 71
Errors on Startup ................................................................................................ 71
Application and Program Error Codes............................................................... 72
Appendix C: Tips and Tricks.............................................................................. 75
Appendix D: Technical Support ......................................................................... 77
How to Contact Plextor Technical Support........................................................ 77
North America................................................................................................ 77
Europe............................................................................................................ 77
iv PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
1. System Requirements
PlexTools® Professional software runs independently and requires that your system
is properly set up and fully functioning.
System requirements:
• IBM compatible Personal Computer, preferably Pentium II or higher.
• Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows
NT or Windows XP Operating System installed.
• Operational SCSI controller (installed with all necessary drivers) when Plextor
SCSI devices are installed; or operational IDE interface when a Plextor ATAPI
device is used.
• Installed ASPI layer (with updated 32-bit device drivers for Windows) when
Plextor devices are installed.
• Correctly installed and configured Plextor CD-ROM drive or CD-Recorder.
For more information on the SCSI Controller device driver or the ASPI layer, please
refer to the manufacturer of the SCSI controller.
For more information on the IDE drivers, please refer to the manufacturer of the IDE
chipset or motherboard.
For information on the installation and configuration of the Plextor drives, please
refer to the user’s manual for your drive.
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 1
Section 1. System Requirements
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2 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
2. Installing PlexTools Professional
The latest version of PlexTools Professional is shipped on the CD-ROM included
with your PlexWriter Premium. Updates will be made available on the Plextor Web
site at: http://www.plextor.be
To install PlexTools Professional:
• Insert the Plextor CD-ROM in your drive.
If the autorun feature of your system is enabled, the installation procedure
should launch automatically. Please follow the instructions shown on the
startup menu.
In other cases, start the installation by executing the setup program on the
disc: In Windows select Start | Run and type D:\setup.exe where <D>
stands for your CD-ROM drive letter.
-orLaunch Windows Explorer, select the CD-ROM drive, and double-click on
the file setup.exe.
In order to be able to read the PlexTools Professional manual you need to install
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Figure 1: PlexTools Professional Installation Window
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 3
Section 2. Installing PlexTools Professional
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4 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
3. Getting Started
This section shows you how to get started using PlexTools Professional.
Launching the Software
PlexTools Professional can be started by selecting it in Windows Start | Programs |
Plextor menu, or by double-clicking the System Tray icon. (To change startup
settings, see page 52.)
PlexTools Professional will start and will scan all your SCSI and ATAPI devices to
retrieve information about connected devices. After a short time, the retrieved
information will be displayed.
The program will show three windows: the upper left window will show the SCSI
and ATAPI hardware, the lower left window will show the available functions, and
the right-hand window will show function-dependent information.
Figure 2: General Information Window
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 5
Section 3. Getting Started
Selecting the Adapter and Drive
Selecting an adapter and a drive is done in the same way as in Windows Explorer:
just click on the desired adapter in the hardware window, and you see General
Information about this adapter appear in the right-hand window.
When you click on a device (using the left mouse button), you see the general
information about that drive in the right window and the other options in the lower
left window.
Different icons indicate hard disk drives, empty CD-ROM drives and any CD-ROM
drives with discs inserted. The currently selected device is highlighted.
Right-clicking (right mouse button) on a device allows options such as Refresh,
Refresh All, Eject, Load and Retrieve CD from freedb.
Figure 3: Right-Click on a Drive to See Additional Commands
• Refresh: Refreshes information about the selected drive.
• Refresh All: Refreshes information about all drives.
• Eject: Opens the drive’s disc tray.
• Load: Closes the drive’s disc tray.
• Unlock: Unlocks the disc tray, allowing ejection by hardware or software
command..
• Lock: Locks the disc tray, preventing disc ejection via hardware or software.
• Retrieve CD from freedb: Gets CD information from the freedb database.
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Section 3. Getting Started
Using the Options Menu
To view extra features, click the Options selection in the menu bar.
Figure 4: Options Menu
• Print Information: Prints system information.
• Save Information: Saves system information. Plextor’s Technical Support staff
can use this information to help you solve certain problems.
• Email Information: Sends your system information to Plextor Technical
Support.
• Preferences: Gives you access to the General Preferences and other Preferences
settings.
• Refresh (F5): Refreshes the displayed information about the selected drive.
• Rescan Devices: Rescans for devices and updates all information.
• Exit (Alt-F4): Exits PlexTools Professional.
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 7
Section 3. Getting Started
Getting Help
To get help about PlexTools Professional, click the Help selection in the menu bar.
Figure 5: PlexTools Professional Help Windows
• PlexTools Professional Help or F1: Starts the windows help system for
PlexTools Professional.
• PlexTools Professional Manual: Opens this manual.
• System Info: Displays information about the installed ASPI layer and your
operating system.
• About PlexTools Professional: Indicates the version of PlexTools Professional.
8 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
4. PlexTools Professional Functions
This section gives information about PlexTools Professional functions.
General Information
To find more information about a Plextor drive, select the drive and choose the
General Information option.
Figure 6: General Information Window for a Plextor Drive
General information:
• Vendor: Manufacturer of the drive
• Product: Name of drive.
• Firmware Version: Current version of firmware loaded into the drive.
• Serial Number: Shows the drive’s serial number.
• Buffer Capacity: Indicates the drive’s buffer memory capacity.
• Drive Letter: Letter used by the drive.
For SCSI drives only:
• Host Adapter: SCSI ID of the host adapter.
• Jumper Settings: Visual indication of the settings on the selected drive.
• SCSI ID, Termination & Parity: Shows the SCSI ID, the status of termination
and the parity for the selected drive.
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 9
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
For ATAPI drives only:
• Jumper Settings: Visual indication of the settings on the selected drive.
• IDE Setup: Shows if the drive is connected as master or slave on the IDE bus.
NOTE: This information pertains to Plextor drives. A reduced set of information about
CD-ROM drives and peripherals from other manufacturers will also be shown in the
hardware list if the drives are supported and functional.
Adapter Information Window
To find more information about an adapter, select it and choose the General
Information option.
Figure 7: General Information Window for an Adapter
• Host Adapter Type: Shows the type of the selected adapter.
• ASPI Manager: Shows the installed ASPI manager.
• Adapter number: Shows the number of the selected adapter.
• SCSI ID: Shows the adapter’s SCSI ID.
• Max Targets: Shows the maximum number of devices that can be connected to
this adapter.
• Port Driver: Shows the name of the driver file.
• Provider: Shows the provider of the driver file.
• Description: Shows more information regarding the driver file.
• Location: Shows the location where the driver file is stored.
• Version: Shows the version of the driver file.
• Date: Shows the driver file date.
10 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Changing the Drive Settings
To change a drive's reading speed, spindown time or audio output settings, select
Drive Settings in the command bar. Then select the desired tab and change the
desired settings.
To save these settings, select Options in the toolbar, select Preferences and check the
Save settings on exit checkbox in the General tab.
Selecting Basic Drive Settings
Figure 8: Basic Drive Settings
• CD Read Speed Setting: Changes the reading speed to the selected value.
• DVD Read Speed Setting: Changes the reading speed to the selected value.
(Available speed settings depend on the inserted DVD type.)
• Spindown Time: Changes the spindown time of the drive.
• Audio Output Settings: Adjust the audio output volume of the drive.
• Lock Channels: Locks the two volume sliders together. When locked, the sliders
move in unison. When the sliders are not locked, you can control a single slider
or channel independent of the other channel or slider.
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 11
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Selecting Advanced Drive Settings
Figure 9: Advanced Drive Settings Window
• Auto Insert Notification: Enables/disables automatic insert notification for the
current drive.
• Enable Buffer Under Run Proof: Enables/disables the use of Buffer Under Run
Error Proof technology.
• Disable PoweRec: With PoweRec enabled (default) the Plextor drive will write
discs at the optimized speed determined by PoweRec. With PoweRec disabled
the Plextor drive will write discs at the speed setting selected by the user.
CAUTION: If the disc is written faster than is recommended by PoweRec, you may
experience write errors, or the resulting CD may have playback difficulties in some
CD drives.
• Enable DMA: Enables/disables the drive’s DMA setting in the Windows
registry.
• Enable Single Session: When enabled, only the first session on a CD will be
shown. (This option must be enabled before inserting a CD.)
• Hide CD-R media: When enabled, this function prevents an application from
recognizing a CD-R as such.
• Enable SpeedRead: This option allows you to boost the read speed for certain
drives and discs.
CAUTION: Since enabling this option can lead to excessive vibration, noise and read
errors, and even damage to the drive and disc, please give preference to the default
setting.
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Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Changing VariRec Settings
The VariRec function allows you to change the laser power when writing CD-DA on
CD-R at 4X or 8X (TAO or DAO). The default setting reflects an optimized laser
power with lowest jitter. Changing this setting will result in a change of sound or
sound quality, and a change in playability or compatibility with existing players.
Figure 10: VariRec Drive Settings Window
• Enable VariRec: Enables or disables VariRec.
• Slider: Increases or decreases laser power by up to 4 degrees in either the
positive or negative direction from the default.
• Recording Speed: Selects recording speed.
• Recording Strategy: Selects a recording strategy based on the type of dye used
on the disc media. Example options include Default, Azo, Cyanine,
Phthalocyanine A, B, C, or D.
Changing GigaRec Settings
GigaRec extends the capacity of a standard CD-R disc up to 40 percent. For instance,
a Type 80 CD normally allows 700 MB of data and 80 minutes of recording. But
with GigaRec, you can get up to 1 GB of data on a single Type 80 CD. This
translates into a 2-hour movie with 1 MB/s compression; or 2 hours and 46 minutes
of video with 780-MB/s compression.
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 13
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
In order to use the GigaRec feature, you need:
• CD-R drive (such as the PlexWriter Premium) that supports GigaRec.
• Recording software, such as PlexTools Professional, that supports GigaRec.
(GigaRec is sometimes called “overburn.”)
• Player software that recognizes the GigaRec disc.
Figure 11: GigaRec Drive Settings Window
• Enable GigaRec: Enables GigaRec writing.
• GigaRec Rate: Selects disc capacity. For example, choosing 1.2x increases the
disc’s writing capacity by 20 percent. So the capacity of a 703-MB disc is
increased to 843 MB, or 95 minutes and 59 seconds.
Procedure for GigaRec Recording
1. Insert a blank Type 74 (650-MB/74-min.) or Type 80 (700-MB/80-min.) CD-R
disc in the PlexWriter Premium drive. (You can’t use CD-RW discs with
GigaRec.)
2. In the PlexTools Professional menu bar, select Drive Settings. You see the tabs
for drive settings.
3. Select the GigaRec tab. You see the GigaRec window.
4. To enable GigaRec, place a check mark in the Enable GigaRec box.
5. Click next to one of the GigaRec Rate numbers to select the capacity.
6. Using a disc-at-once (DAO) recording application such as PlexTools Professional
CD-ROM Maker or AudioCD Maker, record data on the CD-R disc. When
recording is completed, you see the GigaRec results at the bottom of the
recording application window.
14 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
Changing Silent Mode Settings
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Figure 12: Silent Mode Drive Settings Window
• Enable Silent Mode: Enables Silent Mode.
• Max. Write Speed: Slows writing speed, making this process quieter. Smaller
numbers mean quieter operation, but take longer to write a disc.
• Max. Read Speed: Slows reading speed, making this process quieter. Smaller
numbers mean quieter operation, but slower disc reading.
• Access Time: Slows disc access by the drive, making this process quieter.
Choose Fast for a high access time (65 milliseconds), Middle for a medium
access time (130 milliseconds), and Slow for a low access time (180
milliseconds). The quietest setting is Slow.
• Tray Speed:
Loading: Adjusts the tray loading speed. Set slider to the left to reduce
speed, making the drive quieter.
Eject: Adjusts the tray eject speed.
• Test: Tests the tray eject and load speed.
• Reset Values: Return Silent Mode settings to the factory defaults (maximum
speed).
• Save Changes to Drive: Saves your Silent Mode changes to the drive.
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 15
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Changing SecuRec Settings
The PlexWriter Premium’s SecuRec function lets you password-protect the entire
file system on a CD-R disc.
To view the contents of an password-protected disc—or even to see a catalog of
files—the user must enter the correct password. The password can be entered via
PlexTools Professional software, or with the SecuRec Reader software. (The
SecuRec Reader software is readily available to any user simply by downloading it
from the Plextor web site at:
http://www.plextor.com/english/support/downloads/reader.html
)
Figure 13: SecuRec Drive Settings Window
• Password: Enter the desired password.
• Activate Protection: Enables SecuRec for password-protected recording.
• Protection Status: Shows that protection is Active or Non-Active.
• Disc Info: Gives disc information, including SecuRec status.
Procedure for Making a SecuRec Disc
1. Insert a blank CD-R disc in the PlexWriter Premium drive.
2. In PlexTools Professional, select Drive Settings and the SecuRec tab.
3. In the SecuRec Drive Settings window, enter the desired password in the
Password setting field.
4. Click the Activate Protection button.
5. Use CD-ROM Maker, the disc-at-once (DAO) recording application in PlexTools
Professional, to record your data onto a CD-R disc.
16 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Getting Drive Information
This function allows you to see more information about your Plextor drive.
Drive Information–General
Figure 14: General Drive Information Window
The drive’s general read and write capabilities are shown here.
• Audio Read Offset: Shows the audio read offset.
• Audio Write Offset: Shows the audio write offset, which is the location on the
track where the audio data starts after the TOC.
• Interface: Shows the interface type of the selected Plextor drive.
• Access Time: Shows the average access time for your Plextor drive.
• Current Firmware: Shows the current firmware of the selected Plextor drive.
• Latest Firmware: Shows the latest firmware available for your drive at the time
this version of PlexTools Professional was released.
To check for a newer version of firmware, visit the Plextor web site at:
http://www.plextor.com/english/support/support_downloads.html#firm
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 17
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Drive Information–CD Read
Figure 15: CD Read Drive Information Window
This window shows all possible read speeds for each type of CD. It also shows
additional information regarding these features.
18 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
Drive Information–CD Write
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Figure 16: CD Write Drive Information Window
This window shows all possible write speeds for each type of CD. It also shows
additional information regarding these features.
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 19
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
DVD Read
This window is available only for Plextor DVD readers.
Figure 17: DVD Read Drive Information Window
Shows all possible read speeds for each type of DVD.
• Note: Shows additional information regarding these features.
20 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
DVD Write
This window is available only for Plextor DVD writers.
Figure 18: DVD Write Drive Information Window
Shows all possible write speeds for each type of DVD.
• Note: Shows additional information regarding these features.
PlexTools Professional Reference Guide 21
Section 4. PlexTools Professional Functions
Retrieving CD/DVD Information
The CD/DVD Info window shows more information about the inserted disc.
Figure 19: CD/DVD Information Window
CD Information
For CD’s the information comprises:
• Type, Label: Indicates the CD type and label.
• Capacity: Shows the capacity of the disc in sectors, MSF (minutes, seconds,
frames) and MB (megabytes).
• Tracks/Sessions: Indicates the number of tracks/sessions.
• CD-R(W) Manufacturer: Indicates the name of the CD-R(W) manufacturer.
• UPC/EAN Code: LBA/MSF: Changes between indication in logical blocks
(LBA) or minutes, seconds, frames (MSF).
• CD TEXT: Shows the CD TEXT information on the disc (if your drive is
capable of reading it).
• Read ISRC: Shows the International Standard Recording Code, if present.
Saving Information
A right-click on the CD Info window opens the option to print or save the disc
information.
• Standard Information: Prints a brief description of disc contents.
• Advanced Information: Prints a detailed description of the contents of the disc.
22 PlexTools Professional Reference Guide
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