Plextor PX-712, PX-712A, PX-712SA Installation And User Manual

Model PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Model PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

DVD±R/RW, CD-R/RW DRIVE

INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL

APRIL 2004

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, transl ated, or reduced to any electronic medium or

machine-readable form without Plextor’s prior permission.

Manual copyright ©2004 Plextor Corp. First edition, April 2004.

Licenses and Trademarks

Plextor and the Plextor l ogo are registered trademarks of Plextor Corp. All other
licenses and trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Record Your Serial Number

For future reference, record the serial number and the TLA code (found
on your drive’s label) in the space provided below.

TLA/Firmware Revision Number

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION STATEMENT

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful in terference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interferenc e that may
cause undesired operation.

CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.

CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
STATEMENT

This digital apparatus do es not exceed th e Class B limits for r adio noise emissions from
digital appa ratus set out in the Radi o Interference Regula tions of the Canadian Department
of Communicati ons.

This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

LASER INFORMATION

These produ cts have been designed and manufact ured according to IEC 60825-1 on the
Safety of Laser products. This product comes under “Class 1 Laser Products.”

CAUTION: Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other
than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

A Laser Caution Label is attached on the top of the internal drive model.
The laser beam emitted from the optical pickup is visible and invisible. Accordingly:

• Do not open the optical pickup housing.

• Obtain service only from Plextor-a uthorized personnel.

CAUTION: To disconnect the internal DVD/CD drive from an electrical current,
pull out the computer’s power plug.

Top View of Internal Drive, Showing Caution Label Location

Detail of PX-712A Laser Caution Labels

Detail of PX-712SA Laser Caution Labels

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Table of Contents

1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1

About this Manual...........................................................................1

Meet Your PX-712..........................................................................2

What the PX-712 Does................................................................2

Features of the PX-712................................................................3

Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-712...............................6

What You Can Do with the PX-712............................................6

About Software................................................................................7

Precautions ......................................................................................7

Where to Go From Here..................................................................8

2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive...........................9

PX-712A Drive Features and Controls............................................9

Front Panel—PX-712A Internal Drive........................................9

Rear Panel—PX-712A Internal Drive.......................................10

What Else Is In the PX-712A Box.................................................11

Save Your Box!.........................................................................12

Mount the PX-712A Drive............................................................12

PX-712A QuickStart Installation...............................................13

Open the Computer and Prepare for Installation...........................13

Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration................................14

Set the Drive’s Mode Jumper........................................................15

Changing the Mode Jumper on Your PX-712A Drive..............16

Select an IDE Configuration..........................................................18

About Cable Select ........................................................................23

Identifying Whether Your System Uses Cable Select...............24

Locating the Master Position on a Cable Select Cable..............24

Set the DMA Jumper.....................................................................24

Mount the PX-712A Drive............................................................26

Record the Serial Number.........................................................26

Mount the Drive in the Computer..............................................26

Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables.........................................32

3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive.........................35

PX-712SA Drive Features and Controls........................................35

Front Panel—PX-712SA Internal Drive....................................35

Rear Panel—PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive.........................36

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual vii

Table of Contents

What Else Is In the PX-712SA Box..............................................37

Save Your Box!.........................................................................37

Mount the PX-712SA Drive..........................................................38

Record the Serial Number.........................................................38

Mount the Drive in the Computer.............................................38

4. Using Your PX-712 .....................................................................43

What Media to Use........................................................................43

DVD Media............................................................................... 43

CD-ROM Media .......................................................................43

Tray Loading and Operation......................................................... 45

Handling DVD and CD Media..................................................45

Cleaning Discs .......................................................................... 46

Mounting Position......................................................................... 46

Playing DVDs...............................................................................47

Writing to DVD Media ................................................................. 47

Specifying +R/RW or -R/RW................................................... 47

Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media ...........................................47

Using the LED Indicator............................................................... 48

Switching to SpeedRead for Video Playback................................49

5. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional.......................51

Loading PlexTools Professional Software .................................... 51

Using Silent Mode ........................................................................52

Turning On Silent Mode ...........................................................52

Important Facts about Silent Mode........................................... 54

Using SecuRec..............................................................................55

Password-Protecting a Disc with SecuRec................................55

Reading a Password-Protected Disc..........................................57

Important Facts about SecuRec.................................................57

Using VariRec............................................................................... 58

How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined......................58

Changing the VariRec Setting...................................................59

Important Facts about VariRec ................................................. 61

Using GigaRec.............................................................................. 61

Burning a Disc with GigaRec....................................................62

How GigaRec Works................................................................63

Important Facts about GigaRec.................................................63

Testing Your CDs and DVDs........................................................64

Measuring Read Transfer Rate..................................................64

viii PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Table of Contents

Measuring Write Transfer Rate.................................................67

Measuring Q-Check C1/C2/CU Errors......................................69

Measuring Tracking and Focus Error........................................73

Making Q-Check Jitter/Beta Measurements..............................77

Measuring Q-Check PI/PO Errors .............................................81

Advantages of Buffer Underrun Proof Technology ......................83

6. Maintenance and Troubleshooting ............................................85

Cleaning the PX-712 Drive...........................................................85

Upgrading Firmware .....................................................................86

Emergency Eject............................................................................87

Troubleshooting.............................................................................87

Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized..........................................87

Using the PX-712A Self-Test Diagnostics................................89

7. Frequently Asked Questions.......................................................93

Appendix A: PX-712 Specifications...............................................95

Specifications for All PX-712 Drives............................................95

Specifications for the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive...............104

Specifications for the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive..............107

Appendix B: Technical Support...................................................109

How to Contact Plextor Technical Support.................................110

Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call for Support.....................110

Returns ........................................................................................ 111

Contacting Plextor’s RMA Department..................................111

Packing Your Drive.................................................................112

Shipping Your Drive to Plextor...............................................112

Appendix C: Warranty.................................................................113

If You’re Outside the U.S. or Canada..........................................114

Index...............................................................................................115

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual ix

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x PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

1. Getting Sta rted

Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor® PX-712, a
reliable, high-performance recordable DVD and CD writer, rewriter, and
player. We appreciate the confidence you have shown in us. Our goal is
to put you—and keep you—on the leading edge of DVD and CD
technology.

About this Manual

Please read this manual carefully and keep it handy for easy reference.
Use the manual for installation, operation and troubleshooting. If your
drive needs service, see your dealer or call Plextor’s Technical Support
Department.

In this manual you should find all the information you need to
successfully install, operate and troubleshoot your drive. If you run into
a problem that doesn't seem to be covered, however, please contact us.
(See “Appendix B: Technical Support” for the different ways you can
reach us.) You will be connected to our friendly, helpful band of tech
support engineers. What might seem like an uncooperative drive to you
could very well be a 30-second fix to them. But we will never know
unless you contact us.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 1

Section 1. Getting Started

Meet Your PX-712

The PX-712 is a DVD ReWritable/CD ReWritable drive that provides
professional quality DVD and CD performance for writing, rewriting
and reading.

What the PX-712 Does

For DVDs, the PX-712:

• Writes DVD+R (recordable DVD, “plus” format) media at
up to 12X speed on recommended 8X media.

• Writes DVD-R (recordable DVD, “dash” format) media at
up to 8X speed.

• Writes DVD+RW (re-writable DVD, “plus” format) media
at up to 4X speed.

• Writes DVD-RW (re-writable DVD, “dash” format) media
at up to 4X speed.

• Supports DVD+VR and DVD-VR real time editing.

• Reads DVD discs at up to 16X.

• Reads DVD-Video discs with CSS at up to 2X CLV.

• Supports DVD-RW DRT-DM (Distributed Real Time Defect

Management)

For CDs, the PX-712:

• Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 48X speed.

• Writes to CD-RW (re-writable CD) media at up to 24X speed.

• Reads all CD-ROM, CD-RW, and CD-R data media at a maximum

of 48X speed.

• Reads CD-DA (audio) and CD-R audio media at up to 40X speed.

• Reads CD-RW audio media at up to 32X speed.

2 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 1. Getting Started

Features of the PX-712

• Choice of interfaces:



ATAPI interface: The PX-712A easily installs in virtually any
PC with an E-IDE ATAPI interface.



Serial ATA interface: The PX-712SA takes advantage of the
benefits of the new Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
interface, with its smaller, more flexible cables and faster

• High speed transfers: Supports Ultra DMA33, DMA Mode 2, and

• PoweRec: Plextor Optimized Writing Error Reduction Control

• VariRec: Lets you change the write strategy to record at highest

• Silent Mode: Unique technology that sets the drive for super-silent

• MMC compliance: Supports the MMC-4 command set.

• Flash memory: Allows upgrading the PX-712 to the latest firmware

• Black tray: Reduces the effect of optical distortion by absorbing

• Plug and Play: Supports Windows Plug and Play.

interface speed.

PIO Mode 4.

(PoweRec) adjusts laser power and writing speed so they’re at the
optimum settings for that particular disc. (For example, when you’re
writing a DVD, PoweRec checks to see if the maximum 12X speed
is possible, and sets the optimum write speed.) You can enable and
disable PoweRec.

quality on different types of discs. Also provides user adjustment of
the recording power above or below a default level. This adjustment
lets you customize the optimum laser power to your own needs.

operation. By controlling access speed, read/write speed, and tray
opening and closing speed, you reduce drive noise to a whisper.

revision (available from the Plextor web site) without opening the
computer or physically accessing the drive.

reflections from the laser beam, enhancing read quality.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 3

Section 1. Getting Started

• Self-test diagnostics for ATAPI model: The PX-712A has a self-test
diagnostic function for easy troub leshooting.

• Q-Check tests: The Plextor PX-712 achieves high-quality recording
on virtually any DVD or CD media. To see for yourself, use the Q­Check features to check laser operation, or measure and display
characteristics of the media you’re using.

DVD Features

• Lossless linking for DVD+R/RW: Allows DVD+RW discs to be
edited and still play on DVD-ROM players.

• Zero Link for DVD-R/RW: Has 0 b yte gap between sessions so the
discs are compatible with all players. This allows DVD-RW discs to
be edited and still play on DVD-ROM players.

• Wide DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW media compatibility: Compatible
with a wide range of DVD±R and DVD±RW media.

• Multiple DVD types: Supports DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, multi-
border, multi-session, DVD±VR, for read and write.

• Versatile recording modes for DVD+R/RW: Including disc-at-once
(DAO), multi-session, and incremental write for DVD+R; random
access write and sequential write for DVD+RW.

• Recording versatility for DVD-R/RW, too: Including DAO,
incremental recording, multi-border recording for DVD-R; and
multi-border recording, incremental recording, restricted
overwriting, DRT-DM for DVD-RW.

• SpeedRead: For DVD-Video discs equipped with CSS copy
protection, you can enable fast playback (SpeedRead) or leave at the
factory default for quiet video playback.

4 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 1. Getting Started

CD-R and CD-RW Features

• Variety of recording modes: Supports track-at-once, disc-at-once,

session-at-once, multi-session, variable and fixed packet writing, and
CD-MRW (Mount Rainier).

• Buffer Underrun Proof Technology: Eliminate s buffer underrun

errors, so you can safely use your computer for other tasks while
you’re writing to a CD-R or CD-RW disc.

• Wide compatibility: Wide CD-R and CD-RW media compatibility.

• Orange Book compatibility: Compatible with Orange Book, Parts II

and III.

• OPC and ROPC: Optimum Power Control and Running Optimum

Power Control, which adjust the laser power for the optimum write
strategy.

• CD-TEXT, CD+G: Supports CD-TEXT and CD+G writing.

• GigaRec: Variable capacity recording that lets you change CD-R

disc capacity over a range from 60 percent to 130 percent of the
rated value. You can get much more data onto a CD. Or decrease
disc capacity while gaining improved audio quality.

• SecuRec: Security protection that lets you make your CDs readable

only by persons with the correct password.

• Overburn: Another way of burning more information onto a CD—

audio up to 99 minutes 59 seconds in length, or a data disc up to 875
megabytes in capacity.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 5

Section 1. Getting Started

Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-712

Here’s what you’ll need in order to install and use the PX-712 drive.

• Computer: Pentium III, 800-MHz CPU or faster. (Pentium 4,

1.6-GHz or faster recommended.)

• Mi n imu m RAM : 128 MB.

• Interface:



Model PX-712A requires IDE ATAPI interface.



Model PX-712SA requires Serial ATA interface.

• Hard disk size: To write to a CD in image mode (that is, to write an
image of a CD to your hard disk), you need 1 GB of free space. For a
DVD, 6 GB of free space is recommended. (For more accurate
guidelines, see the help files or documentation for the recording
software you’re using.)

• Operating System:



Model PX-712A requires Windows XP, 2000, Me, or 98SE.



Model PX-712SA requires Windows XP or Windows 2000.

NOTE: You cannot use the PX-712A with early versions of Windows 98;
if you are using Windows 98, it must be Windows 98SE (Second Edition).

What You Can Do with the PX-712

Just look at some of the things you can do with your PX-712:

• Record slide shows or digital video onto DVD+R, -R, +RW and

-RW discs.

• Play DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, and DVD-RW discs.

• Record data or audio onto writable or rewritable CD media.

• Play music CDs.

• Save photos and other images on rewritable or writable CDs.

• Create a CD or DVD “sneakernet” to share information with

colleagues—just use software such as Roxio’s DirectCD to drag and
drop files onto DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R or CD-RW media, then
continue adding files and sharing the same disc.

• Archive images and video to DVD or CD.

• Master new software programs on DVD or CD.

6 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 1. Getting Started

About Software

In order to record on DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW discs you will need to
have mastering, packet writing, or duplication software installed on your
computer system. If you purchased a retail kit from Plextor, you ’ll get
software packages that include such software.

PlexTools® Professional is a powerful application software package that
lets you take full advantage of the CD/DVD functions of the PX-712
drive. When installed on your computer, this software lets you use your
Plextor PX-712 to burn CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD discs. It also lets you
take advantage of all the unique new features found in the Plextor PX­712 drive.

You can also use Roxio’s Easy CD Creator™ 6 B a sic DVD Edition to
burn DVDs and CDs. The software lets you burn and share anything on
CD or DVD, including music, photos, and videos. You can also back up
your critical data to a CD or DVD. One component of Easy CD Creator
is Drag-to-Disc, which makes the Plextor PX-712 drive as easy to use as
a hard disk drive. (For more information about Easy CD Cre ator, install
this application and examine the help files.)

For details on other software that is available for writing to DVDs or
CDs, please visit the web sites of the companies whose software you are
interested in, refer to their user’s manuals, or look at the help option
within the software. A l ist of various software that you can u se with
your Plextor drive can be found in the Support/Compatibility section of
www.plextor.com

.

Precautions

Like the rest of your computer system, your PX-712 requires reasonable
care in its installation and use.

• Keep the area around your drive clean from dust, smoke, and other

contaminants.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 7

Section 1. Getting Started

• Do not allow moisture or liquids, including water or cleaning fluids,
to touch the drive. Thinner, benzene, or alcohol-based solvents can
mar your drive’s surface.

• Do not drop or jolt the drive.

• Do not move, carry or transport a disc in the drive because this can

cause damage.

• Do not attempt to open the drive and service it yourself. Removing
the cover may expose you to harmful electrical voltages or the laser
beam. For your safety, entrust service to experienced service
personnel only.

• Keep your DVDs and CDs free of dirt or other contaminants, by
storing them in jewel cases. Use only industry-standard discs. Do not
insert dirty, warped, poorly balanced, or cracked discs into the drive.

• Do not clean discs using a circular motion. Instead, using a soft, dry
cloth, wipe gently in a radial motion; start at the center of the disc
and proceed to the outer edge.

• Do not attempt to clean your drive using solvent-based cleaners or an
air compressor.

• Do not attempt to clean your drive using a CD cleaning disc. These
discs can damage your drive permanently.

Where to Go From Here

• If you have a PX-712A internal ATAPI drive, see Chapter 2,
beginning on page 9, to install it.

• If you have a PX-712SA internal drive with the new Serial ATA
interface, see Chapter 3, beginning on page 35, to install it.

8 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

2. Installing the

PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

This chapter explains how to physically install your PX-712A internal
ATAPI drive in your computer.

PX-712A Drive Features and Controls

Before proceeding, become familiar with the controls and features of
your Plextor drive. Match the parts of your drive to the illustrations
below.

Front Panel—PX-712A Internal Drive

Figure 1: Front panel of the PX-712A internal ATAPI drive

• LED indicator: Illuminated yellow for disc initializing, reading, and

ejecting. Illuminated amber for writing. (Blink rate indicates writing
speed.) Illuminated green during standby and when Buffer Underrun
Proof Te chnology is operational.

• Tray front door: Attached to tray drawer.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 9

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

• Emergency eject hole: If the automatic eject button does not work,
insert the emergency eject tool, paper clip, or other thin, rigid object
in this hole to eject tray. Turn OFF power before using this feature.

• Eject button: Push once to eject tray. Push again to insert the tray
back into the PX-712A. To prevent wear on the drive, always use the
eject button to insert the tray.

This button also enables SpeedRead for DVD-Video d iscs with CSS
protection. To enable SpeedRead, with the disc tray empty, press and
hold the eject button for 3 seconds, then insert a DVD-Video disc.
The disc is played back at an accelerated speed.

Rear Panel—PX-712A Internal Drive

Also familiarize yourself with the drive’s rear panel.

Figure 2: Rear panel of the PX-712A internal ATAPI drive

• Digital audio output connector: Outputs a digital stereo signal. Use
this to connect to a sound board that supports Sony/Philips Digital
Interface (SPDIF) or Digital-In.

10 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

• Analog audio output connector: Outputs an analog stereo signal.

Use this to connect to a sound board or audio amplifier. Use a
standard MPC-3 type, 4-pin connector.

• Mode jumper: Use the mode jumper to select operation as an IDE

master or slave, or for cable select. In general, leave this jumper at
its factory setting, which is master; and ensure that any other device
on the bus is jumpered as slave.

• DMA jumper: Use the DMA jumper to convert between Ultra

DMA Mode 0-2 (no jumper, default) and Multiword DMA Mode 0-2
(with jumper installed). In general, leave this jumper at its factory
setting, which is Ultra DMA (that is, no jumper installed ) .

• IDE cable connector: Connects to your computer’s IDE (ATAPI)

interface using 40-pin IDE flat ribbon cable.

• Power connector: Connects to your computer’s power supply to

provide DC +5 volts and +12 volts to the PX-712A.

What Else Is In the PX-712A Box

What you find in your Plextor box depends on what the company that
sold you the box put in—or took out—while the Plextor d r ive was in
their possession. Plextor currently sells the P X-712A drive in this
configuration:

• PX-712A DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW drive

• 40-pin IDE ribbon cable

• 1 piece of approved DVD+R media

• 4 mounting scr ews

• Extra jumper

• Emergency eject tool

• Plextor software disc with bundled PlexTools® Professional. Also

contains Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator 6 Basic DVD Edition.

• PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 11

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Save Your Box!

Be sure to save the box after you have installed your drive. The box
and its packaging material were designed and drop tested to ensure
your drive can endure rough treatment and still arrive in working
order. If you have to ship your drive back to Plextor, you’ll want to
send it in the original box. (For more details about returning your
drive to Plextor, see page 111.)

If the security sticker on top of your box is cut, there may be a good
reason: for example, a dealer may have added other components or
software. Carefully check the contents to ensure nothing has been
removed. I f something is missing, contact the party from whom you
purchased the box for an explanation.

NOTE: This applies to the Plextor retail box. Your drive may have been
shipped in a different box with other contents, depending on whom you
purchased the drive from and what they included inside the box.

If your drive came pre-installed, some or all of the items above may
have been installed and may not be separately available. See the Plextor
web site for locations to purchase additional or replacement accessories.

Mount the PX-712A Drive

Installation steps are as follows:

1. Turn OFF your computer system.

2. Set the jumpers for your new PX-712A drive, if necessary.

3. Mount the drive into an available drive bay inside the computer
system.

4. Make all necessary cabling connections: IDE cable, power cable, and
audio cable.

Turn your computer system ON.

The following pages give more details for this procedure.

12 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

PX-712A QuickStart Installation
For Experienced PC Users Only

If you’ve installed computer peripherals before, use this QuickStart
installation to get up and running quickly.

Typical Scenario 1: You have a PC with an IDE interface installed,
you have Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP, and you have nothing
installed on the secondary IDE port. What to do: Leave the
PX-712A’s jumper set to Master, attach it to the secondary IDE port,
and go. Windows will recognize the drive automatically.

Typical Scenario 2: You have a PC with an IDE interface installed,
you have Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP, the primary IDE port
already has two devices connected and you have a CD-ROM
installed on the secondary IDE port. What to do: Change the CD­ROM to Slave, leave the PX-712A’s jumper set to Master and attach
the PX-712A to the secondary IDE port. Windows recognizes the
new drive automatically.

If neither of these situations applies to you, or you’re not comfortable
with IDE installation, read the rest of this chapter for more detailed
installation instructions.

Open the Computer and Prepare for
Installation

To determine whether your PX-712A will be a Master or a Slave, open
your computer and examine the IDE connections to the motherboard.

To open the computer:

1. Before proceeding, make sure the power to your computer and any

external peripherals is OFF and your computer is UNPLUGGED
from its power source.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 13

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

2. Remove your computer’s cover, following the directions provided by
your computer’s manufacturer. Typically, this involves loosening or
removing seve ral screws o n the back panel of your computer and
sliding off the cover. See Figure 3 for an example.

Figure 3: Removing a typical computer's cover

Determine Your Existing IDE Configuration

With your computer open, determine the existing IDE configuration.
You can do this by looking at the 40-pin IDE ribbon cable (or cables—
there may be two) and seeing what is connected to them.

One end of the IDE cable is connected to a port on the computer’s
motherboard; and the other end is connected to one or two peripheral
devices (such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive). If there are two
devices, one is configured as Master and the other the Slave, as
indicated by the position of jumpers on the back of the drive.

In the case of the Cable Select bus, both devices must be jumpered as
Cable Select. This configuration requires a special Cable Select cable.

If there are two IDE ports, one is for the primary IDE bus and the other
is for the secondary bus.

14 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Before you install your PX-712A, your computer’s IDE configuration is
usually one of the following:

• Configuration A: Hard disks connected as Master and Slave devices

on primary IDE port; DVD or CD-ROM drive connected as the
Master device on secondary IDE port.

• Configuration B: Hard disk connected as Master device and DVD

or CD-ROM drive connected as Slave on the primary IDE port;
nothing connected to secondary IDE port.

• Configuration C: Hard disk connected as Master device on primary

IDE port; nothing connected to secondary IDE port.

• Configuration D: System uses special “Cable Select” cables; all

devices are jumpered for Cable Select.

Set the Drive’s Mode Jumper

You specify your drive's Master, Slave, or Cable Select setting before
installing it. You do this by changing the position of a jumper on the
mode jumper block at the rear of the drive.

Your drive ships from our factory with its mode jumper set to operate
the PX-712A as a Master. This will work in most custom system
configurations. If your computer is from a large OEM system
manufacturer such as IBM, Hewlett Packard, Gateway or Compaq, you
will need to pay particular attention to whether the computer uses the
Cable Select scheme.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 15

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Changing the Mode Jumper on Your PX-712A
Drive

The drive arrives from the factory with its mode jumper set to Master.
(A function is ON if the jumper is installed and OFF if the jumper is
removed.)

Figure 4: Factory settings for mode jumper at the rear

of the internal drive

16 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Changing to a Master, Slave, or Cable Select

The Master/Slave/Cable Select setting for the drive is determined by the
mode jumper. The jumper is placed over one of the sets of mode pins.
To change the drive from Master to Slave or to Cable Select, you must
move the jumper.

For example, to change the drive to be a Slave, move the jumper to the
middle set of mode pins, leaving the other pins uncovered. To change
the drive for Cable Select, move the jumper to the left set of mode pins.

Note that if any device is jumpered as Cable Select, then both devices
connected to that cable must be jumpered as Cable Select. In addition,
the cable you use must be a special Cable Select cable.

Changing Jumper Settings

• To remove a jumper, pull it off with your fingers or a pair of needle-

nose pliers.

• To install a jumper, push it onto the jumper pins.

CAUTION: Ensure power to the drive is OFF before installing or
removing a jumper.

Figure 5: Install the mode jumper across vertical pairs of pins

CAUTION: Install the mode jumper across the pins as shown (vertically).
Do not connect one pin switch to another by installing the jumper
lengthwise (horizontally). Doing so could result in damage to the drive.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 17

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Select an IDE Configuration

Set the jumper according to the desired configuration, as shown in the
tables and illustrations on the next few pages.

NOTE: For best DVD±RW and CD-RW performance, try to connect the
PX-712A to the IDE port that is not connected to the hard disk drive or to
a DVD or CD-ROM drive. In most cases, this will be the secondary IDE
port.

NOTE: For best results, set the PX-712A to be the Master, if possible.

Before PX-712A Installation How to Install the PX-712A

A

Hard disks connected as
Master and Slave devices on
primary IDE port; DVD-ROM or
CD-ROM drive connected as
Master device on secondary
IDE port.

Remove the DVD-ROM or
CD-ROM drive, change it to
Slave, and re-connect it to the
secondary IDE port.

Set the mode jumper to
Master, and connect the PX­712A as Master device to the
secondary IDE port.

Figure 6. How to install the PX-712A if your computer is originally

set up in configuration A

18 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

NOTE: The configuration shown in Figure 6 can make it very difficult to
write from the DVD or CD drive to the PX-712A at maximum rated speed
using “on-the-fly” copying.

System configuration and performance will make a big difference.
Depending on how fast the DVD or CD-ROM drive can stream data to
the PX-712A, it may not be fast enough to keep the buffer full. In this
case, the buffer may become empty and a buffer underrun error may
occur. However, because it is equipped with Buffer Underrun Proof
Technology, your PX-712A can still make successful copies if you use
software that supports this feature. (All software shipped with PX-712A
drive retail kits supports Buffer Underrun Proof Technology.)

If you still have problems writing with this configuration, use the image
writing method (that is, write an image to your hard drive, then write that
image onto the DVD±R/RW or CD-R/RW media), or record at a lower
speed for best results. We also recommend that DMA be enabled on
your computer, if your system supports it.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 19

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Before PX-712A Installation How to Install the PX-712A

B

Hard disk connected as Master
device, and CD-ROM or DVD­ROM drive connected as Slave
on the primary IDE port;

Set the mode jumper to
Master, and connect the PX­712A as Master to secondary

IDE port.
nothing connected to
secondary IDE port.

Figure 7. How to install the PX-712A if your computer is originally

set up in configuration B

20 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Before PX-712A Installation How to Install the PX-712A

C

Hard disk connected as Master
device on primary IDE port;
nothing connected to
secondary IDE port.

Set the mode jumper to
Master, and connect the PX­712A as Master to secondary
IDE port.

Figure 8. How to install the PX-712A if your computer is originally set

up in configuration C

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 21

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Before PX-712A Installation How to Install the PX-712A

D

System uses special Cable
Select cables; all devices are
jumpered for Cable Select.

Set the PX-712A’s mode

jumper to CSEL, and connect

the drive to the end of the

cable from the computer’s IDE

interface connector.

Figure 9: How to install the PX-712A if your computer is originally set

up in configuration D

22 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

About Cable Select

The Cable Select jumper position sets the PX-712A drive to use the
CSEL signal from the IDE interface for configuration purposes. This
signal automatically selects the correct Master/Slave setting for the
drive.

Figure 10: Configuring the PX-712A drive for Cable Select

To use CSEL, you must have:

• A computer that supports CSEL.

• A special CSEL (Cable Select) cable for IDE.

NOTE: The IDE cable supplied by Plextor does not support C SEL. To
use CSEL and Cable Select, you’ll have to purchase a CSEL cable, or
use one that may be supplied with your CSEL-configured system.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 23

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Identifying Whether Your System Uses Cable
Select

If you are unsure whether or not your system has a Cable Select cable
installed, either look at the cable (see the illustration on page 27) or loo k
at the jumpers on the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive. If any device is
jumpered as Cable Select, then both devices on that cable should be
jumpered the same.

Locating the Master Position on a Cable Select
Cable

With Cable Select, Master and Slave are determined not by jumpers, but
by the connectors on the Cable Select cable. The connectors are
identified as Master or Slave.

Set the DMA Jumper

Your PX-712A ships from the factory with no DMA jumper installed.
(The pins are empty.) The empty pins mean the drive is set to Ultra
DMA. This setting should work in most cases, so you don’t have to do
anything more.

With some personal computers (usually older ones) that do not have an
Ultra DMA IDE chipset, the computer may “hang” or crash with the
PX-712A set to the default Ultra DMA setting. If this happens, change
the PX-712A to Multiword DMA mode by installing the spare jumper
across the two DMA jumper pins just to the left of the mode jumper
pins.

24 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Figure 11: Add the DMA jumper if you need to change

to Multiword DMA

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 25

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Mount the PX-712A Drive

Before proceeding to install the PX-712A drive in your personal
computer, double-check your jumper setting.

Record the Serial Number

Record the serial number and TLA number of your drive on the inside
front cover of this manual.

Mount the Drive in the Computer

You can mount your internal drive in any available bay. You must
remove the small panel that covers t he bay that you want to use.

NOTE: The drive can be mounted horizontally or vertically

If you don’t have an empty bay, remove the existing IDE DVD-ROM or
CD-ROM drive and install the PX-712A.

You must make a minimum of two cable connections to your PX-712A.
The two cable connections that you must make are:

• IDE cable

• Power cable

There are also two optional cable connections:

• An analog audio cable connection if you are using a sound board in
your computer and plan to connect the PX-712A’s audio output to
the audio connector on the sound board.

• A digital audio cable connection if the sound board is equipped with
SPDIF or Digital-In and you wish to use the digital audio output
from your PX-712A.

Do You Need Another IDE Ribbon Cable?

An IDE cable is a standard 40-pin flat-ribbon cable, usually with three
connectors. One end connects to the IDE port on your computer’s
motherboard, and the other two connectors are free for attaching
peripherals such as a hard disk, DVD or CD-ROM drive, or a PX-712A
drive.

26 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

You may need to install another IDE ribbon cable in your computer.
You can use the extra IDE cable supplied with your Plextor drive. (Just
remember, if you want to use CSEL and Cable Select settings, this
Plextor-supplied cable won’t work—you’ll have to purchase a special
cable for Cable Select.)

Figure 12: Standard IDE ribbon cable

Figure 13: Ribbon cable for Cable Select (not supplied by Plextor)

CAUTION: The length of any IDE cable cannot exceed 18 inches.

Do You Need a Power Cable?

In most computers, you will find extra power connectors in the
computer ready for your use. When you open the computer, check the
cable running from your power supply to your hard disk drive and see if
it has extra connectors on it. If so, you can plug one of these into the
power connector found on the rear panel of the PX-712A.

If you do not find any additional connectors (either because they were
not supplied or they are all in use), you will have to buy a “splitter” or a
“Y-connector.” These can also be found at most retail and mail-order
computer stores.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 27

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

To mount the PX-712A drive:

1. Make sure the power to your computer and any external peripherals
is turned OFF and your computer is UNPLUGGED from its power
source.

2. If you haven't already removed the cover from your computer,
remove it now, following the directions provided by your computer’s
manufacturer. Typically, this involves loosening or removing several
screws on the back panel of your computer and sliding off the cover.
See Figure 3 for details.

3. Remove the cover panel from the bay that will hold the drive. To
remove the cover panel, pop it out by pressing outward lightly. (In
some older c omputers, you may have to remove screws tha t hold the
panel in place.)

Figure 14: Removing the cover panel from a bay

28 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

4. Determine if you must install mou nting rails on the sides of your

drive. To do so, insert the drive into the open bay. If the drive fits
tightly with little or no clearance on either side of the drive, you will
not have to use mounting rails. The drive can be mounted directly
into your computer. Go to step 6.

NOTE: Plextor does not provide rails. If you need rails, you can
obtain them from the computer manufacturer or from a computer
supply retail or mail-order store.

5. If you must use mounting rails, fasten the rails to the lower pair of

holes as shown in Figure 15. (In some instances, you may need to
fasten the rails to the upper set of holes.) After fastenin g the rails,
check their positioning by sliding the drive into the bay before you
mount the drive or connect any cables.

Figure 15: Installing m ounting rails (if needed)

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 29

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

6. Plug one connector of the IDE cable into the IDE connector on the
rear panel of the drive before you insert the drive into your
computer. Then thread the cable through the front of the open bay
and back toward the motherboard. The drive should slide smoothly
into the bay. If it does not, check for obstructions in the bay and
ensure the side rails are attached properly.

7. If not already connected, attach the other end of the IDE ribbon cable
to the connector on the motherboard.

CAUTION: With some IDE ribbon cables, it is easy to accidentally
plug your IDE cable upside down into both your drive and the
motherboard. Be sure you match the red stripe along one side of the
IDE cable to Pin 1 on the motherboard and Pin 1 on the drive. (Pin 1
on the drive is closest to the power connector.) Note that each
connector on most ribbon cables also has a “key” in the middle. This
key should fit into a slot in the middle of each connector of the
motherboard, your PX-712A drive, and any other internal IDE
peripherals.

Figure 16: Connecting the IDE ribbon cable

8. Double-check your work. You must ensure the side of the IDE cable
with the red stripe is matched to Pin 1 on the interface board and on
the drive.

CAUTION: In the case of only one IDE device, you must make
certain that one end of the cable is always connected to the IDE
connector on the motherboard. The other end of the connector must
be connected to a device. The end connector of the cable should
never be left unconnected.

30 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

9. Connect a power cable from the computer to the power connector

(DC INPUT) of the drive. In most computers, you will find free
power connectors that are ready for your use.

CAUTION: The power connector on the cable and the receptacle on
the drive are keyed. Do not force the power connector into the drive,
or the drive and/or the computer may be damaged.

Figure 17: Cable connections for an internal IDE drive

10. Connect the analog audio cable if you want to use a sound board in

your system. This cable runs from the four-pin analog audio output
connector on the rear panel of your drive to the CD-ROM audio
connector on the PC or your sound board. See “Using Sound Boards
and Audio Cables” below for more information about audio cables.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 31

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

11. Connect a digital audio cable if your sound board is equipped with
the Sony/Philips Digital Interface (SPDIF) or Digital-In, and you
wish to use the digital audio output from your PX-712A. This cable
runs from the digital audio output connector pins on the PX-712A
back panel to the sound board. (This cable is not supplied by
Plextor.)

12. Mount the PX-712A drive in the computer using the four screws that
were supplied with your drive. Use only these screws.

CAUTION: Do not mount your drive in your computer using screws other
than those supplied by Plextor. You may damage the drive if you insert
screws that are too long or the wrong thread type.

Using Sound Boards and Audio Cables

Whichever category your sound board falls into, you will find that the
best source of information about installing the sound board in your
computer is the board's manual. Once you have successfully installed the
sound board in your comp ut er, you can continue below for a descr iption
of the different cable connections that need to be made.

If you need audio cables, you will have to purchase them. Refer to the
table below. A list of several vendors who offer audio cables is available
on Plextor’s web site.

32 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

Audio Connection Cable

Required

MPC audio source MPC-

compliant
audio cable

Sound Blaster or
compatible sound
board

Sound
Blaster­compatible
analog audio
cable

Digital audio output Cable that’s

compatible
with SPDIF
or Digital-In.

How to Connect It

Connect to MPC audio
source, and to analog audio
output connector at the rear
of the Plextor drive.

Connect to Sound Blaster­compatible audio board and
to analog audio output
connector at the rear of the
Plextor drive.

Connect to SPDIF or Digital­In connector on sound
board (if sound board
supports digital audio) and
to digital audio output
connector at the rear of the
Plextor drive.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 33

Section 2. Installing the PX-712A Internal ATAPI Drive

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34 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

3. Installing the

PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

This chapter explains how to physically install your PX-712SA internal
Serial ATA drive in your computer. The steps are as follows:

1. Turn OFF your computer system.

2. Mount the drive into an available drive bay inside the computer

system.

3. Make the cabling connections: Serial ATA cable and power cable.

4. Turn your computer s ystem ON.
The following pages give more details for this procedure.

PX-712SA Drive Features and Controls

Before proceeding, become familiar with the controls and features of
your Plextor drive. Match the parts of your drive to the illustrations
below.

Front Panel—PX-712SA Internal Drive

Figure 18: Front panel of the PX-712SA internal SATA drive

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 35

Section 3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

• LED indicator: Illumi nated yellow for disc initializing, reading, and
ejecting. Illuminated amber for writing. (Blink rate indicates writing
speed.) Illuminated green during standby and when Buffer Underrun
Proof Te chnology is operational.

• Tray front door: Attached to tray drawer.

• Emergency eject hole: If the automatic eject button does not work,

insert the emergency eject tool, paper clip, or other thin, rigid object
in this hole to eject tray. Turn OFF power before using this feature.

• Eject button: Push once to eject tray. Push again to insert the tray
back into the PX-712SA. To prevent wear on the drive, always use
the eject button to insert the tray.
This button also enables SpeedRead for DVD-Video d iscs with CSS
protection. To enable SpeedRead, with the disc tray empty, press and
hold the eject button for 3 seconds, then insert a DVD-Video disc.
The disc is played back at an accelerated speed.

Rear Panel—PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

Also familiarize yourself with the drive’s rear panel.

Figure 19: Rear panel of the PX-712SA internal SATA drive

• SATA cable connector: Connects to your computer’s SATA
interface using 7-pin SATA ribbon cable.

• Power connector: Connects to your computer’s power supply to
provide DC +5 volts and +12 volts to the PX-712SA.

36 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

What Else Is In the PX-712SA Box

What you find in your Plextor box depends on what the company that
sold you the box put in—or took out—while the Plextor d r ive was in
their possession. Plextor currently sells the PX-712SA drive in this
configuration:

• PX-712SA DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW drive

• 7-pin SATA ribbon cable

• 4-pin computer power cable

• 4 mounting scr ews

• Emergency eject tool

• Plextor software disc with bundled PlexTools® Professional. Also

contains Roxio Easy CD and DVD Creator 6 Basic DVD Edition.

• PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Save Your Box!

Be sure to save the box after you have installed your drive. The box
and its packaging material were designed and drop tested to ensure
your drive can endure rough treatment and still arrive in working
order. If you have to ship your drive back to Plextor, you’ll want to
send it in the original box. (For more details about returning your
drive to Plextor, see page 111.)

If the security sticker on top of your box is cut, there may be a good
reason: for example, a dealer may have added other components or
software. Carefully check the contents to ensure nothing has been
removed. I f something is missing, contact the party from whom you
purchased the box for an explanation.

NOTE: This applies to the Plextor retail box. Your drive may have been
shipped in a different box with other contents, depending on whom you
purchased the drive from and what they included inside the box.

If your drive came pre-installed, some or all of the items above may
have been installed and may not be separately available. See the Plextor
web site for locations to purchase additional or replacement accessories.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 37

Section 3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

Mount the PX-712SA Drive

Before proceeding to install the PX-712SA drive in your personal
computer, make sure you have all the cables you’ll ne ed.

Record the Serial Number

Note the serial number and TLA number of your drive, and record those
numbers on the inside front cover of this manual.

Mount the Drive in the Computer

You can mount your internal drive in any available bay. You must
remove the small panel that covers t he bay that you want to use.

NOTE: The drive can be mounted horizontally or vertically

If you don’t have an empty bay, remove the existing DVD-ROM or CD­ROM drive and install the PX-712SA.

You must make two cable connections to your PX-712SA. The two
cable connections that you must make are:

• SATA cable

• Power cable

To mount the PX-712SA drive:

1. Before proceeding, make sure the power to your computer and any
external peripherals is OFF and your computer is UNPLUGGED
from its power source.

2. Remove your computer’s cover, following the directions provided by
your computer’s manufacturer. Typically, this involves loosening or
removing seve ral screws o n the back panel of your computer and
sliding off the cover. See the illustration below for an example.

38 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

Figure 20: Removing a typical computer's cover

3. Remove the cover panel from the bay that will hold the drive. To

remove the cover panel, pop it out by pressing outward lightly. (In
some older c omputers, you may have to remove screws tha t hold the
panel in place.)

Figure 21: Removing the cover panel from a bay

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 39

Section 3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

4. Determine if you must install mou nting rails on the sides of your
drive. To do so, insert the drive into the open bay. If the drive fits
tightly with little or no clearance on either side of the drive, you will
not have to use mounting rails. The drive can be mounted directly
into your computer. Go to step 6.

NOTE: Plextor does not provide rails. If you need rails, you can
obtain them from the computer manufacturer or from a computer
supply retail or mail-order store.

5. If you must use mounting rails, fasten the rails to the lower pair of
holes as shown in the illustration belo w. (In some instances, you may
need to fasten the rails to the upper set of holes.) After fastening the
rails, check their positioning by sliding the drive into the bay before
you mount the drive or connect any cables.

Figure 22: Installing m ounting rails (if needed)

40 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

6. Plug one connector of the SATA cable into the SATA connector on

the rear panel of the drive before you insert the drive into your
computer. Then thread the cable through the front of the open bay
and back toward the motherboard. The drive should slide smoothly
into the bay. If it does not, check for obstructions in the bay and
ensure the side rails are attached properly.

7. If not already connected, attach the other end of the SATA ribbon

cable to the Serial ATA connector on the computer motherboard (or
on a PCI board, if that is how the Serial ATA interface is provided in
your computer).When connecting the Serial ATA cable, note that
cable connectors are keyed, and will fit only one way. For example,
the initials “SATA” on the cable connector should be up.

8. Connect a power cable from the computer to the power connector of

the drive. In most computers, you will find free power connectors
that are ready for your use.

CAUTION: The power connector on the cable and the receptacle on
the drive are keyed. Do not force the power connector into the drive,
or the drive and/or the computer could be damaged.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 41

Section 3. Installing the PX-712SA Internal SATA Drive

Figure 23: Cable connections for an internal SATA drive

9. Mount the PX-712A drive in the computer using the four screws that
were supplied with your drive. Use only these screws.

CAUTION: Do not mount your drive in your computer using screws other
than those supplied by Plextor. You may damage the drive if you insert
screws that are too long or the wrong thread type.

42 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

4. Using Your PX-712

This chapter explains how to use your PX-712 drive and how to load,
handle and care for your DVDs and CDs.

What Media to Use

Use the right media! Your PX-712 drive's capabilities change depending
on which type of compact disc you use.

DVD Media

DVD recordable media is available in two different, non-compatible
formats:

• DVD+R and DVD+RW

• DVD-R and DVD-RW

Your PX-712 can read and write either media format. That is, it
supports all these types of DVD media:

• Digital Video Discs: You can immediately play pre-recorded DVD

discs, including movies and other DVDs.

• DVD+R, DVD-R: Recordable DVD. You can record on these discs,

but only once. You can also read them.

• DVD+RW, DVD-RW: ReWritable DVD. You can record and re-

record (up to 1,000 times) on these discs. You can also read them.

CD-ROM Media

In addition, you can use these types of CD media:

• CD-ROM: You can immediately play or read prerecorded compact

discs, such as audio CDs and data discs.

• CD-R: Recordable CD. You can record on these discs, but only

once. You can also read them.

• CD-RW: Normal Speed, High Speed, and Ultra Speed ReWritable

CD. These discs support recording and re-recording (up to 1,000
times). You can also read them.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 43

Section 4. Using Your PX-712

To achieve a certain writing speed, you must use the appropriate media.
To achieve 48X CD-R writing speed you must use certified 48X media;
and to achieve 24X CD-RW writing speed you must use Ultra Speed
CD-RW media.

Remember:

• Using Normal Speed CD-RW discs (that is, NS-RW media) you can
rewrite at 4X.

• Using High Speed CD-RW discs (HS-RW media), you can rewrite at
10X.

• Using Ultra Speed CD-RW discs (US-RW media) in this drive, you
can rewrite at up to 24X.

You can write to Ultra Speed CD-RW discs only on drives that support
this media. Drives that are capable of writing to Ultra Speed ReWritable
media, such as the Plextor PX-712, are identified by a “Compact Disc
ReWritable Ultra Speed” logo.

Figure 24: The logo identifies the type of CD-RW media

See “Recommended Media” on page 95 for a list of Plextor-approved
media at the time this manual was printed, and see the Plextor web site
at www.pl extor. c om

for an updated list.

44 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 4. Using Your PX-712

Tray Loading and Operation

To load and unload the tray:

1. While the drive is powered up, push the eject button on the front

panel. The tray drawer slides out in 3–4 seconds.

Figure 25: Loading the tray

2. Lay a CD or DVD disc in the depression in the tray, label side up.

3. Press the eject button again and the tray will slide shut withi n

seconds.

NOTE: Always use the eject button to close the tray in a smooth and
secure manner. Closing the tray by pressing the front of the drawer using
your hand is not recommended and risks damage or premature wearing
of the mechanism.

Handling DVD and CD Media

Take care when handling blank CD and DVD media. Dust, scratches,
and fingerprints on either side of the disc can cause write errors during
recording. When picking up or holding blank media you can either place
your fingers along the outer edge of the disc, or place one finger through
the center hole and one finger on the outer edge. Once you have finished
creating a disc, label it by writing on the top using permanent ink.

CAUTION: We recommend using a “non-toxic” marker, such as a
Sharpie pen, that conforms to the ASTM D-4236 standard. Some
permanent markers will damage the media. Also, do not press too hard
when writing on the disc.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 45

Section 4. Using Your PX-712

NOTE: We do not recommend placing self-sticking CD-R labels on the
disc. The weight of the label may unbalance the disc and cause write
errors during recording or read errors during reading. Also, attempting to
remove the label may permanently damage the disc.

Cleaning Discs

For proper read and write performance, your discs must be clean. Trying
to record on a dirty disc may result in a failed session and ruin the disc.

To clean the disc, wipe the disc using a clean, soft cotton cloth to
remove surface dirt such as fingerprints. Use a straight-line motion,
wiping from the center out. Do not wipe the disc in a circular motion.

Figure 26: Wipe the disc from the center outward

HINT: Keep your frequently used discs in jewel cases at all times to
prevent them from becoming dirty or damaged.

Mounting Position

You can operate your internal PX-712 drive in either a horizontal or a
vertical position.

46 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

Section 4. Using Your PX-712

Playing DVDs

To play a digital video disc, insert the DVD as you would any other
disc. The drive plays both single-layer and dual-layer discs.

The first time: A code on each DVD allows it to be played only on
players designed for a certain regional area, such as North America,
Europe, etc. When the drive ships from the factory there is no region
code set. The first time a DVD that has a region setting is inserted into
the drive, the drive is automatically set to that region code.

If you later insert a DVD with a different region code, you are prompted
to either accept changing the new region code or not. If you don’t accept
the change, then that DVD will not play. If you do accept the change,
then the region code setting is changed. But remember: you can change
the drive’s region code only 5 times. After that, you can’t change it any
more .

Writing to DVD Media

You need special software that supports writing to DVD+R and
DVD+RW discs: or to DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. The Roxio Easy
CD Creator DVD Edition on the CD that accompanies your PX-712
contains this software.

Specifying +R/RW or -R/RW

You don’t need to specify whether to write to +R/RW or -R/RW. The
selection is automatically made for you, based on the media you insert in
the drive.

Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media

In conjunction with your drive, mastering and packet writing software
such as Easy CD Creator and DirectCD allow you to write audio, video,
data, or other information to writable (CD-R) or rewritable (CD-RW)
media. The PX-712 writes to all types of CD-RW media.

PX-712 Installation and Users Manual 47

Section 4. Using Your PX-712

Using the LED Indicator

The color and blink rate of the front-panel LED indicator give you
information about the drive’s operation.

When you are writing to a CD-R or CD-RW disc, the color and blink
rate of the front-panel LED indicator indicate the speed of writing, as
follows:

Operation LED color On/Off/Blink Blinking

interval

No disc – Off –
Eject Yellow On –
Loading – Off –
Initialize Yellow On –
Standby Green On –
Read Yellow On –
DVD write,
8X and higher
DVD write,
4-7X
DVD write,
less than 4X
CD-R write,
32X and
higher
CD-R write,
16-31X
CD-R write,
less than 13X
CD-RW write,
24X
CD-RW write,
10-23X;
10X CLV
CD-RW write,
4X
Buffer
Underrun
Proof / DVD
linking active

Amber Blink 40ms
Amber Blink 80ms

Amber
Amber

Amber
Amber
Amber
Amber

Amber

Green On –

Blink 150ms
Blink 40ms

Blink 80ms
Blink 150ms
Blink 40ms
Blink 80ms

Blink 150ms

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Section 4. Using Your PX-712

Switching to SpeedRead for Video
Playback

When you are playing a DVD-Video disc that has CSS (copy protection
via the Content Scrambling System), the PX-712 normally plays at a
slow speed with a maximum of 2X CLV speed to reduce drive noise.
You can speed up DVD playback by turning on SpeedRead.

To manually enable SpeedRead and speed up DVD playback:

1. Make sure the PX-712 disc tray is closed and empty.

2. Press and hold the PX-712’s eject button for at least 3 seconds. The

LED indicator blinks green three times to indicate SpeedRead will
be active for DVD-Video discs with CSS copy protection.

3. Release the eject button. The disc tray opens.

4. Insert a DVD-Video disc that is equipped with CSS copy protection.

5. Begin playing the disc.
SpeedRead changes the default DVD read speed to 6X-16X CAV for

single layer DVD discs, or 3X-to 8X CAV for dual layer DVD discs.

To manually disable SpeedRead:

You can manually disable SpeedRead and return to normal video
playback operation (for DVD-Video discs with CSS) in either of two
ways:

• Eject the disc.

-or-

• Turn off power to the drive.

NOTE: You can also enable and disable SpeedRead with PlexTools Pro
software. Go to Drive Settings | Advanced and enable or disable
SpeedRead with the check box.

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50 PX-712 Installation and Users Manual

5. Advanced Features and PlexTools
Professional

The Plextor PX-712 has a number of advanced features that set it apart
from other drives. For instance, you can operate in Silent Mode, d isp lay
and analyze disc errors, password protect an entire disc, increase a disc’s
capacity beyond its rated value, and more. To use these features, you
need to install software that supports them.

PlexTools Professional, available on the Plextor CD, gives you access to
all these advanced features, along with many other tools for controlling
and monitoring your drive’s operation.

Loading PlexTools Professional Softw are

To load PlexTools Professional software on your computer:

1. Insert the Plextor disc into the Plextor PX-712 drive or another drive
that can read the Plextor software disc.

2. On the screen, choose the PlexTools Professional installation. (If the
installation doesn’t start right away, use Windows Explorer to
navigate to the drive, and double-click the PlexTools Professional
.exe file.) You see the InstallShield Wizard for PlexTools
Professional.

3. Accept the license agreement, and accept the default installation
settings.

4. When prompted, click Finish to complete the InstallShield Wizard.

5. When prompted, restart your computer.

After installation, PlexTools Professional is launched automatically,
unless you disa ble automat i c running. (To disable automatic running at
startup, choose Options | Preferences, go to the General tab, and uncheck
the Automatic run box.) Even if PlexTools Professional is not set to run
automatically, you can launch it from the Start | Programs menu in
Windows.

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Section 5. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional

Using Silent Mode

Although the Plextor PX-712 drive is quiet in normal operation, its
Silent Mode is ideal for use in environments where “silence is golden.”
Silent Mode reduces sound from the drive in several ways:

• Slows writing speed

• Slows reading speed

• Slows access (spinup and spindown) speeds

• Reduces tray speed (that is, the opening and closing of the disc tray).

You can actually control the tray speed directly.

Turning On Silent Mode

You can turn on Silent Mode with software applications that have been
written to make use of this technology. One of these applications is the
PlexTools P rofessional software.

To use PlexTools Professional to control Silent Mode:

1. In the PlexTools Professional menu bar, select Drive Settings. You
see the tabs for drive settings.

2. Select the Silent Mode tab. You see the Silent Mode window.

3. To enable Silent Mode, check the Enable Silent Mode box.

4. To slow writing speed, making this process quieter, select the Max.
Write Speed drop-down menu and make a new selection. Smaller
numbers mean quieter operation, but take longer to write a disc.

5. To slow reading speed, making this process quieter, select the Max.
Read Speed drop-down menu and make a new selection. Smaller
numbers mean quieter operation, but slow disc reading.

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Figure 27: Silent Mode options in PlexTools Professional

6. To slow disc access by the drive, making spinup and spindown

slower and quieter, select the Access Time drop-down menu and
make a new selection. Choose Fast for a rapid access time (60
milliseconds), Middle for a medium access time (80 milliseconds),
and Slow for a low access time (120 milliseconds). The quietest
setting is Slow.

7. Use the Tray Speed Loading and Eject sliders to adjust the loading

and eject speed. Set a slider to the left to reduce the speed, making
the drive quieter. Set the slider to the right to increase the speed.

8. To test the tray speed, click the Test button.

9. Select Save Changes to Drive to save any Silent M ode changes to

the drive.

10. To return Silent Mode to the factory defaults (maximum speed),

click the Reset Values button. This also turns Silent Mode off.

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Section 5. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional

Important Facts about Silent Mode

• When first started, the Plextor PX-712 drive is set with Silent Mode
off.

• When Silent Mode is active, the drive’s maximum speed is always
restricted. Any speed settings specified by other applications will be
overridden.

• When saved into the drive’s flash memory, Silent Mode remains
active even if you power down the computer or the drive. To clear
Silent Mode settings, select the Reset Values button.

• If SpeedRead is enabled with Silent Mode on, default read speed is
40X speed maximum.

• If you are playing a digital audio (CD-DA) disc using an application
such as Windows Media Player, playback is at 4X CLV, no matter
the Silent Mode setting.

• During DVD-video playback of CSS discs, playback is automatically
slowed down for quieter video playback. (This is different from the
control you have with Silent Mode.) To enable SpeedRead for DVD­Video discs with CSS, press the eject button for 3 seconds. (For
more details, see page 49.)

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Using SecuRec

The Plextor PX-712’s SecuRec function lets you write on a CD-R disc
and protect the data with a password.

To view the contents of 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 SecuViewer
software. (SecuViewer software is easily available to any user simply by
downloading it from the Plextor web site at
http://www.plextor.com/english/support/downloads/reader.html

Password-Protecting a Disc with SecuRec

You can choose to password-protect a disc so it is readable by any
Plextor PX-712 drive (assuming the user enters the correct password), or
by any drive using the SecuViewer.

To password-protect a disc with SecuRec:

1. Insert a blank CD-R disc in the Plextor PX-712 drive.

2. In the PlexTools menu bar, select Drive Settings. You see the tabs

for drive settings.

3. Select the SecuRec tab. You see the SecuRec window.

.)

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Section 5. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional

Figure 28: Password-protecting a disc with SecuRec

4. Enter the desired password in the Password field.

5. Retype your password in the Verify Password field.

6. Click the Activate Protection button. T he P r otection Status field
shows that protection is Active.

7. Use a disc-at-once (DAO) recording application (such as CD/DVD­ROM Maker in PlexTools Professional, or any other DAO recording
application) to record your data onto a CD-R disc.

Once protected with SecuRec, the disc can’t be read by a non-SecuRec
drive unless the correct password is entered.

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Reading a Password-Protected Disc

To read a disc that has been password-protected with SecuRec:

1. Make sure you have PlexTools Pro or SecuViewer on your

computer.

2. Insert the password-protected CD-R disc into a PX-712 or Plextor

Premium drive. (You only need these drives if you are using
PlexTools Professional software. With SecuViewer, you can use any
drive.)

3. In PlexTools Professional, choose Drive Settings and choose the

SecuRec tab. You see the SecuRec window.

-or­Launch SecuViewer.

4. Enter the password in the Password field.

5. Click the Activate Protection button. T he P r otection Status field

shows that protection is Active. You can now read the contents of
the disc using Windows Explorer.

Important Facts about SecuRec

• SecuRec burning is applicable to data (ISO 9660) CDs only.

• SecuRec supports data CD-R discs written by disc-at-once (DAO)

techniques.

• If you are distributing a SecuRec disc to others, please remember to

provide them the reader driver on another disc, or have them
download the reader driver from the Plextor web site at:
http://www.plextor.com/english/support/downloads/reader.html

• Only data CD-R discs recorded in DAO mode can be password-

protected with SecuRec. DVD discs, audio (CD-DA) discs, or data
CDs written by track-at-once (TAO) or multi-session cannot be
protected.

.

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Section 5. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional

• Discs protected with SecuRec using older versions of PlexTools
Professional may not be readable with the current version.

• Remember your password! Plextor has no way to retr ieve data from
discs for which the password has been lost or forgotten. For this
reason Plextor assumes no responsibility for lost passwords or data.

NOTE: Use of this function is at your own risk. If you forget your
password, your data will not be retrievable. Plextor cannot be held liable
for any damage, unreadable discs, or loss of data. If you do not agree,
please do not use this function.

Using VariRec

This drive is equipped with VariRec (Variable Recording) technology, a
unique feature offered by Plextor that allows you to manually adjust the
drive's laser power during the recording process. VariRec operates both
for DVD and CD recording.

NOTE: In order for you to actually perform the adjustment, VariRec must
be supported by the recording software you’re using. PlexTools
Professional is one recording application that supports VariRec.

Being able to adjust the laser power during the recording process can
have some definite advantages. For i nst ance, depending on the
capabilities of your specific audio equipment, you may be able to
change the sound quality of your recordings to suit the equipment. Or
you may be able to correct compatibility problems that occur when
playing discs on certain audio players or older CD-ROM drives.

How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined

In most cases you don’t have to worry about setting VariRec. The
setting is 0 (zero) by default, and this usually works best. This default
setting is determined by a combination of steps:

1. First, we test many types of recordable DVD±R and CD-R media in
our factory to determine the best write strategy (laser power and
other factors) for that media.

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2. We include a table of the tested media and their write strategy in

your drive’s firmware. (This table is updated when you update your
drive by downloading new firmware from the Plextor web site.)

3. When you insert a recordable disc into your drive, Plextor’s

PoweRec technology automatically identifies the manufacturer,
model, and special features of the media, then adjusts the laser power
and writing speed so they’re at the optimum settings for that disc.

4. The drive uses OPC (Optimum Power Control) to further fine-tune

the laser power setting to the specific disc that is in your drive.

5. The combined values of the pre-defined write strategies, along with

the OPC test results, create the default VariRec setting of zero.

Changing the VariRec Setting

VariRec lets you increase or decrease the laser power setting by up to 4
degrees in ei ther the posi tive or nega tive direct ion. You can make these
changes for DVD+R 4X and 2.4X, DVD-R 2.4X and 2X, and CD-R 4X
and 8X CD-DA/data writing. VariRec also lets you change t he write
strategy to match the dye profile of your disc. You can make these
changes to do comparison testing with your DVD or CD player to find
the setting that best suits you.

Changing the laser power and write strategy changes the characteristics
of the audio or data being written. For audio, you can hear these changes
during playback, although what you hear will depend on speaker quality,
audio settings, and environment.

To use PlexTools Professional to change VariRec settings for
writing:

1. Place a blank DVD±R or CD-R disc in the PX-712.

2. In the PlexTools menu bar, select Drive Settings. You see the tabs

for drive settings.

3. Select the VariRec tab. You see the VariRec window.

4. To turn VariRec on for recording, place a check mark in the Enable

VariRec box.

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Section 5. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional

5. Move the slider to adjust the laser power in either the plus or minus
direction.

6. Click the Recording Speed drop-down menu to choose the recording
speed: for example, 8X or 4X for a CD-R.

7. Click the Recording drop-down menu to choose the recording
strategy: for example, Default, Azo, Cyanine, Phthalocyanine A, B,
C, or D.

Figure 29: Changing the VariRec parameters

8. Use AudioCD Maker or CD/DVD-ROM Maker from PlexTools
Professional to create a disc layout.

9. If necessary, in the list of recording options, make sure the Enable
VariRec box is checked and continue recording.

Your disc is recorded with the new laser strategy.

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Important Facts about VariRec

• Use VariRec with DVD±R or CD-R discs.

• VariRec writes in either Track-at-Once (TAO) or Disc-at-Once

(DAO) mode.

• VariRec writes data or CD-DA (digital audio) on recordable media

at lower speeds (for example, 4X or 8X for CD-R), rather than at the
full speed of the drive. For this reason, data or audio recording using
VariRec takes substantially longer than a standard audio recording.

Using GigaRec

GigaRec lets you change the capacity of a standard CD-R disc from 60
percent up to 130 percent of its standard capacity. You can use GigaRec
for CD-DA or data writing at 4X and 8X disc-at-once (DAO).

The most obvious advantage of GigaRec is that it extends the capacity
of a standard CD-R disc. For instance, a Type 80 CD normally allows
700 megabytes of data and 80 minutes of recording. But with GigaRec,
you can get up to 913 megabytes of data on a single Type 80 CD.

GigaRec also lets you burn a disc at lower-than-rated capacity. Say
you’re making an audio master that is only 490 megabytes in size. By
using GigaRec to record at 0.7x normal capacity, you “stretch” that data
to utilize the same physical space that 700 megabytes would normally
occupy on the disc. This changes the actual length of the pits and lands
used for data bits, increasing the accuracy and response of the data, and
resulting in a truer burn.

In order to use the GigaRec feature, you need:

• CD-R drive (such as the Plextor PX-712) that supports GigaRec.

• Recording software, such as PlexTools Professional, that supports

GigaRec.

• Player software that recognizes the GigaRec disc.

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Remember, even if you can burn a disc with GigaRec, your player
software must be able to recognize the disc, or you will not be able to
play it back.

Burning a Disc with GigaRec

To use PlexTools Professional to burn a GigaRec disc:

1. Insert a blank CD-R disc in the Plextor PX-712 drive. (You can’t use
DVD±R/RW or CD-RW discs with GigaRec.)

2. In the PlexTools menu bar, select Drive Settings. You see the tabs
for drive settings.

3. Select the GigaRec tab. You see the GigaRec window. At the bottom
of the GigaRec window you can see information about the disc
currently in the drive. The disc capacity and recording time are
shown.

Figure 30: Selecting the GigaRec writing capacity

4. To enable GigaRec, place a check mark in the Enable GigaRec box.

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5. Move the slider to one of the GigaRec Rate numbers to select the

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 850 megabytes (Mode 1), or about 96 minutes.

NOTE: MSF stands for minutes, seconds, frames. This is the structure of
the CD: 2048 bytes per frame, 75 frames per second, 60 seconds per
minute.

6. Using a disc-at-once (DAO) recording application such as PlexTools

Professional CD/DVD-ROM Maker or AudioCD Maker, record data
on the CD-R disc.

7. To disable GigaRec and return to normal writing, clear the Enable

GigaRec check box.

How GigaRec Works

CD-R and CD-RW discs are manufactured with special information
about manufacturer, model name, disc features, and maximum write
capacity written to a narrow strip along the inner margin of the disc. The
Plextor PX-712 can ignore and even overwrite this information, which
extends the disc capacity.

Important Facts about GigaRec

• When you enable GigaRec, it is active for all recording functions.

• With GigaRec, writing speed is fixed at 4X or 8X.

• You can use only CD-R discs with GigaRec.

• Only disc-at-once (DAO) recording, in which all tracks are written in

a single operation, is supported. GigaRec does not support session­at-once (SAO) recording.

• Buffer Underrun Proof Technology is turned off during GigaRec

operation. Writing stops if a buffer underrun occurs.

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Section 5. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional

• A disc recorded with GigaRec is playable in all Plextor PX-712
drives. However, because GigaRec is out of the limits for Orange
Book and Red Book recording, the recorded disc many not be
playable in all CD players. For a list of players that are compatible
with GigaRec discs, see www.plextor.com

.

• The PX-712 also supports “overburn,” which is different from
GigaRec. When you overburn a disc, the drive reads the disc’s
information, then writes to the disc vendor’s stated maxi mum
capacity and a little beyond. Overburn provides smaller increases in
disc capacity than are capable with GigaRec.

Testing Your CDs and DVDs

The Plextor PX-712 achieves high-quality recording on virtually any
media. To confirm operation, you can use the PlexTools Professional
software to measure and display characteristics of the drive and media
you’re using. You can also check the operation of the drive’s laser.
Among the measurements and tests available are:

• Read transfer rate (for CD and DVD)

• Write transfer rate (for CD and DVD)

• C1/C2/CU errors (for CD)

• Laser tracking and focus errors (for CD and DVD)

• Beta and jitter (for CD and DVD)

• PI and PO errors (for DVD)

This section illustrates how to perform some of these measurements
with PlexTools Professional.

Measuring Read Transfer Rate

The Read Transfer Rate selection lets you test the transfer rate o f data
read from a disc. This function reports the read response of the Plextor
PX-712 drive, and is for use on a CD or DVD that contains content—
that is, a commercial pressed disc, or a disc recorded on a DVD or CD
burner.

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To measure read transfer rate response:

1. Place a recorded disc in the PX-712. You can use a pre-recorded,

commercially stamped CD or DVD disc; or you can use a recorded
DVD+R/RW disc, DVD-R/RW disc, or CD-R/RW disc.

2. From the PlexTools menu bar, select Read Transfer Rate Test. You

see the Read Transfer Rate Test window with a graph for read
speeds.

Figure 31: Read Transfer Rate Test window

3. Select the speed pulldown menu and choose the desired transfer

speed.

4. Click the Preferences button to view or change the preferences. You

can change the Read Test Options and the Read Test Graph Options.

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Figure 32: Transfer Rate Test Preferences window

5. Click OK to exit the Preferences window and return to the Read
Transfer Rate Test window.

6. To begin measurement, in the test window, click the Start button.
You see the amount of recorded data represented in minutes, the start
speed, and current speed.

7. To end measurement, click the Stop button, or wait for the
measurement to stop by itself. You see a graph representing the drive
read response.

8. To see the results, select View Log. You see the Test Results
window that shows what color corresponds to what test. You can
clear all or selected tests, then run more tests for comparison.

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What the Measurement Means

This function reports the read response of the Plextor PX-712 drive. The
graph should display a smooth linear curve up to the limit of the
recorded data. If the curve is not linear or smooth, repeat the test with
another piece of recorded media. Most read transfer failures are caused
by poor quality or damaged media.

Measuring Write Transfer Rate

The Write Transfer Rate selection lets you test the transfer rate of data
written to a disc. The function reports the writing response of the Plextor
PX-712 drive. This test is conducted on blank media to determine the
capabilities of the drive/media combination.

To measure write response:

1. Place a blank recordable or rewritable disc in the Plextor PX-712

drive. You can use a blank DVD+R or +RW disc, a DVD-R or -RW
disc, or a CD-R or CD-RW disc.

2. From the PlexTools menu bar, select Write Transfer Rate Test. You

see the Write Transfer Rate Test window with a graph for write
speeds.

3. Select the speed pulldown menu and choose the desired transfer

speed.

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Figure 33: Write Transfer Rate Test window

4. Click the Preferences button to view or change the preferences. You
see the Transfer Rate Preferences window.

5. In the Preferences window, you can change the Write Test Options
and the Write Test Graph Options:



Uncheck the Simulate box to write to the recordable CD or
DVD disc, or leave it checked to simulate writing. (If you
simulate, the blank disc is preserved.)



Set the CD or DVD length to the capacity of your blank disc; for
example, 5 GB for a DVD.



Specify the Data Format: CD-DA or Mode 1 data.



For a CD you can select Overburn to overburn the disc.

6. Click OK to exit the Preferences window and return to the W r ite
Transfer Rate Test window.

7. To begin measurement, in the test window, click the Start button.
You see the start and current write speed.

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8. To end the measurement, click the Stop button, or wait for the

measurement to stop by itself. You see a graph representing the drive
write response.

9. To see the results, select View Log. You see the Test Results

window that shows what color corresponds to what test. You can
clear all or selected tests, then run more tests for comparison.

What the Measurement Means

This test reports the writing response of the Plextor PX-712 drive. The
graph should display a smooth linear curve up to the limit of the disc
capacity. If the curve is not linear or smooth, repeat the test with another
piece of media or media from a different vendor. Most write transfer
failures are caused by poor quality media or media that is not rated for
the maximum speed of the drive.

Measuring Q-Check C1/C2/CU Errors

This function reports on the C1, C2, and CU errors on the current CD in
the Plextor PX-712 drive. This test is for use on a CD that contains
content—that is, a commercial pressed CD or a CD recorded on a CD­R/RW drive. (It’s not for DVD discs.)

To measure C1/C2/CU error:

1. Place a pressed CD-ROM disc, or a recorded CD-R or CD-RW disc,

in the PX-712.

2. From the PlexTools menu bar, select Q-Check C1/C2 Test. You see

the Q-Check window with a graph for C1, C2, and CU errors.

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Figure 34: Q-Check C1/C2 Test window

3. Click the Preferences button to view or change the preferences. You
can change the scale limit and the time length indication, and you
can choose to include all tracks on the disc or only selected tracks.

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Figure 35: Changing preferences for graphing C1/C2 errors

4. Click OK to exit the Preferences window and return to the Q-Check

C1/C2 Test window.

5. To begin measurement, in the C1/C2 T est window, click the Start

button. You see the error counts representing the result of C1 error
measurement (BLER) and C2 error measurement (E22). If the disc is
defective, you may also see a trace for CU error. The test halts if a
CU error is detected.

6. To end measurement, click the Stop button, or wait for the

measurement to stop by itself. Your window shows the test results,
and a graph of the error counts recorded by the application.

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What the Measurements Mean

CDs are written via a non-contact optical technology, resulting in errors
on the written disc. Error correction is therefore an important component
of drive quality.

Audio written to a disc contains no major error correction. Missing
audio bytes are interpolated (replaced by an approximate value) in the
drive, and the reproduced output is generally very close to the original.
(Differences are usually detectable only by an audiophile.) If there are
large numbers of missing bytes due to poor media, scratches,
fingerprints, etc., these are reproduced as pops or crackles in the audio
output, but the media will still play.

Data (non-audio) content is much more sensitive to errors. The data
blocks on the recorded disc contain extensive embedded error correction
as part of the data stream. This error correction is derived from the
actual content of the original computer data, and is used to reconstruct
the original data, if needed, when the disc is read.

Every CD has two layers of error correction, called C1 and C2:

• C1 is error correction for the block error rate (BLER), which consists
of bit errors at the lowest level. BLER is normally given in error s pe r
second. The typical maximum BLER for quality recording is 220
errors per second.

• C2 error correction applies to bytes in a frame (24 bytes per frame,
98 frames per block) and is an indication of the drive’s attempt to
use extended error correction to recover the data. Even a few C2
errors can be an indication of poor media quality or a drive’s
inability to write or read correctly.

• CU error correction applies to uncorrectable errors, or errors that are
present after C2 level correction. No CU errors are allowed in a
recorded disc. CU errors are usually a result of damage to a disc and
represent unrecoverable data. Discs with CU errors quite often
cannot be read at all.

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The quantity of these errors are a measure of media and drive quality.
High quality media, combined with a high quality drive, will have
recorded data with some C1 errors and no C2 errors. Poor quality media,
or media with scratches, fingerprints or other defects in the disc surface,
or written on a drive that has poor write quality, will show a higher
number of C1 errors and perhaps some C2 errors.

The best method to determine media quality is to compare your media
against media from Plextor’s list of recommended media vendors. (See
page 96.) If your discs consistently show a high number of C1/C2 er rors,
you should try another brand of media. If the graph reports CU errors,
the disc is defective and should be discarded.

Because the Plextor PX-712 can report the number of C2 errors, audio
extraction applications can use this reporting to guarantee that the
extracted audio matches the original.

NOTE: This function measures C1/C2 errors in all kind of discs and
recording modes, even if they were recorded on another drive. It is,
however, recommended to use this measurement on CD-R media
recorded by DAO (Disc-at-once).

Measuring Tracking and Focus Error

Supported in PlexTools Professional software, this function reports on
the mechanical characteristics of the DVD or CD you’re using in the
Plextor PX-712 drive. It actually measures the amplitude of the laser
focus error and tracking error, and displays the results. (This function
tests blank CDs and DVDs.)

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To use PlexTools Professional to measure tracking and focus error:

1. Place a blank DVD+R/RW, a DVD-R/RW, or a CD-R or CD-RW
disc in the PX-712. (Don’t use a pre-recorded, commercially
stamped disc.)

2. From the PlexTools menu bar, select Q-Check FE/TE Test. You see
the Q-Check window with a graph for focus error and tracking error.

Figure 36: Q-Check FE/TE Test window

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3. Click the Preferences button to view or change the preferences. You

can change the scale, the start position, and the end position.

Figure 37: Changing preferences for graphing focus error and

tracking error

4. Click OK to exit the Preferences window and return to the Q-Check

FE/TE Test window.

5. To begin measurement, in the FE/TE Test window, click the Start

button. You see the traces representing focus error (FE) and tracking
error (TE).

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6. To end measurement, click the Stop button, or wait for the
measurement to stop by itself. You see a graph of the errors recorded
by the application. PlexTools Professional also tells you if the media
is safe to write at highest speed, or if you need to reduce speed to
write safely.

What the Measurements Mean

Recordable and rewritable discs can be manufactured with widely
varying quality, and a failure to write a disc without errors can be caused
by either the drive or by the media. Variations in the reflective layer,
polycarbonate thickness, eccentricity (that is, if the spindle hole is not in
the exact center of the disc), and the quality and thickness of the dye
layer are all factors that determine if the laser accurately burns the data
on to the disc.

PoweRec can reduce the drive speed during recording to ensure a higher
quality recording, but the reduction in speed may be perceived as a
problem with the drive when compared against a drive without
PoweRec.

The FE/TE graphing capability of the Plextor PX-712 drive displays the
mechanical characteristics of the disc by indicating how consistently the
laser tracks across the surface of the disc, and how accurately the focus
is maintained on the recording dye layer.

To be specific:

• Focus error is a measure of how accurately the laser is focused on
the disc surface. (That is, how round the laser dot is.) A good disc
will show a low number of focus errors across the graph. A bad disc
will show a high number of focus errors across the graph, or high
points where the drive cannot focus the laser correctly because of
poor disc quality.

• Tracking error is a measure of how accurately the laser tracks in the
disc’s pre-groove area of the disc—that is, how well the laser
follows the spiral. A good disc will show low tracking error across
the graph, showing a fairly consistent track at all rotational speeds. A
bad disc will show high tracking error, which is caused by
eccentricity or poor quality of the manufactured media.

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The FE/TE test result shows maximum writing speed for each media.
However this maximum writing speed is specific for a particular drive;
you cannot assume this speed applies to any other drive. If your discs
consistently show high rates of focus error or tracking error, you should
probably try a disc from a different vendor.

NOTE: The TE/FE measurements are accurate only for a blank
recordable or rewritable DVD or CD. If you attempt to measure a
recorded or pre-recorded, commercially pressed DVD or CD, the
measurements have no meaning.

Making Q-Check Jitter/Beta Measurements

This function reports on the degree of beta and jitter on the CD or DVD
in the Plextor PX-712 drive. This test is for use on a disc that contains
content—that is, a commercial pressed CD or DVD, or a disc recorded
on a CD or DVD drive.

To measure jitter and beta:

1. Place a pressed or recorded CD or DVD in the PX-712.

2. From the PlexTools menu bar, select Q-Check Beta/Jitter T est. You

see the Q-Check window with a graph for beta and jitter.

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Figure 38: Q-Check Beta/Jitter Test window

3. Click the Preferences button to view or change the preferences. You
can change the sample length (the length of one sample), the time
length indication of the graph, and the limit of the beta measurement
scale.

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Figure 39: Changing preferences for graphing beta and jitter

4. Click OK to exit the Preferences window and return to the Q-Check

Beta/Jitter Test window.

5. To begin measurement, in the Beta/Jitter Test windo w, click the

Start button. You see the error counts representing the result of beta
error measurement jitter measurement.

6. To end measurement, click the Stop button, or wait for the

measurement to stop by itself. Your window shows the test results,
and a graph of the error counts recorded by the application.

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What the Jitter Measurement Means

The data on the surface of a CD or DVD disc is expressed by “pits”
burned into the recording dye, and by unburned areas, or “lands,” which
represent the “0” and “1” binary bits of the computer data. The CD book
standards prescribe these 0 and 1 pits and lands as a series of 3 to 11
pieces in sequence (described as 3T to 11T). The millions of 3T data
segments on the recorded media actually contain minute variations in
length, with practically no individual 3T segment matching another.
This variation distribution is called the “jitter ratio ,” and is a
measurement of the variation of the prescribed length of the 3T segment
against what is actually written on the disc. A lower jitter value indicates
better uniformity of 3T data, which means the recording is of a higher
quality. The book standard regulates jitter value at no more than 35
nanoseconds.

Using PlexTools Professional and the Plextor drive, you can use the Q­Check Beta/Jitter Test to determine the quality of writi ng on a disc. The
test graph displays an average rate for jitter occurring between 3T and
11T. When you select the sample length, you actually specify a range of
addresses that represent anywhere from 15 seconds to 5 minutes on the
disc. This test lets you check for the relative amounts of jitter in
different media brands, or compare a specific media brand recorded on
different drives.

What the Beta Measurement Means

Beta is a representation of the balance between pit and land. If the laser
power is too high, the pit becomes too pronounced. If power is too low,
the land becomes too pronounced. In either case, data will not be
accurately reproduced.

In the Beta/Jitter Test window, the beta measurement is displayed as a
red line on the graph, and also reported as an absolute value.

When the Plextor PX-712 controls its write strategy using VariRec, the
resulting strategy will be the best balance of the lowest jitter and the
appropriate laser power for a quality recording.

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Measuring Q-Check PI/PO Errors

This function reports on the PI (parity inner) and POF (p ar ity outer fails)
on the current DVD disc in the Plextor PX-712 drive. This test is for use
on a DVD that contains content—that is, a commercial pressed DVD or
a disc recorded on a DVD burner.

To measure PI/PO error:

1. Place a pressed DVD disc, or a recorded DVD+R, DVD+RW,

DVD-R, or DVD-RW disc, in the PX-712.

2. From the PlexTools menu bar, select Q-Check PI/PO Test. You see

the Q-Check window with a graph for PI and POF errors.

Figure 40: Q-Check PI/PO Test window

3. Place check marks in the boxes for the parity errors you want to

check.

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4. To begin measurement, in the PI/PO Test window, click the Start
button. You see the error counts representing the result of PI error
measurement and POF error measurement.

5. To end measurement, click the Stop button, or wait for the
measurement to stop by itself. Your window shows the test results,
and a graph of the error counts recorded by the application.

What the PI/PO Measurements Mean

This test measures the quality of the written or pressed media by
counting the number of low-level errors. Most of these errors are
correctable by the drive.

PI/PO is basically the DVD equivalent of C1/C2 error measurement for
a CD. PI indicates the number of bytes that are corrected during PI
stage, while POF indicates the number of uncorrectable blocks. Each
sector on a DVD disc has 2,366 bytes of data. For error correction on a
DVD, the drive places 16 sectors of data into a series of rows and
columns that form an error correction (ECC) matrix. The drive checks
the rows of the matrix for “parity inner,” or PI; and it checks the
columns for “parity outer fails,” or POF.

The existence of PI/PO errors on a DVD is perfectly normal, since they
can be corrected by the drive's CIRC logic. However, these numbers
should not be too high, because they can create uncorrectable errors
when the disc's playability decreases (for instance, because of dust,
fingerprints, scratches, etc). With POF errors, there is a chance that the
data will become unreadable.

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Advantages of Buffer Underrun Proof
Technology

PlexTools Professional software lets you enable or disable Buffer
Underrun Proof Technology on the Plextor PX-712 (via Drive Settings |
Advanced). But you’ll usually want to leave this feature enabled,
because Buffer Underrun Proof Technology guarantees that you can
write discs at high speed, and still use your computer for o ther tasks
while you’re writing.

To prevent the interruption of data during writing, every CD-R/RW
drive has a buffer, a memory chip that acts as a kind of “holding area.”
(Typically, the buffer size is 2 to 8 megabytes.) However, this buffer can
be emptied quickly when you write at hi gh speeds, or if you use other
applications (like surfing the Internet or playing games or watching
movies) while writing.

Buffer Underrun Proof Technology compensates for any interruption in
data flow to the disc. It “remembers” where writing stopped on the disc
when the data flow was interrupted, then restarts writing in the sa me
place once the data is available again. Buffer Underrun Proof
Technolog y in your dr ive mea ns yo u can sa fe l y use yo ur co mput er fo r
other things while you’re writing to a CD-R or CD-RW disc. It lets you
multitask freely and easily, and lets you successfully create CDs on the
first attempt.

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6. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

This chapter explains maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for
your PX-712 drive.

With proper maintenance, you can prevent problems. If trouble arises,
you can often solve many simple problems on your o wn, rather than
wait for assistance from a Plextor representative.

Cleaning the PX-712 Drive

Plextor drives are sealed against external contamination, so in a normal
computer environment and with normal use, your drive should not
require internal cleaning. However, if your drive has been in use for
some time and has just recently started to exhibit read/write problems, it
is possible that dust has accumulated on the laser lens. In this case:

• If your drive is still in warranty and you are experiencing problems,

send the drive to Plextor. (See “Returns” on page 111.)

• If your drive is out of warranty, before returning the drive for repair

you may want to try a short blast of canned air aimed at the center of
the drive. Use only electronics-grade canned air: sterile, filtered, and
moisture-free. If you notice no improvements after this step, you will
need to return the drive for repair.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to clean your drive using any solvent-based
cleaners. Also, do not use an air compressor, because the high-pressure
blast can damage the drive.

ANOTHER CAUTION: Do not use a CD cleaning disc. Cleaning discs
that use a felt pad can scratch the laser lens surface and render the drive
inoperable. Cleaning discs with brushes may also scratch the lens.
Moreover, these cleaning discs are often out of balance, making their
operation very noisy.

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Upgrading Firmware

Plextor creates firmware revisions to meet the particular needs of large
computer manufacturers. It is rare that these will impact the performance
or operation of your drive. However, we advise that our customers
always update drives with the latest available firmware. Before
troubleshooting a possible problem with your PX-712 drive please visit
our web site at www.plextor.com
firmware.

To obtain new firmware for your drive:

1. Go to the Plextor web site at www.plextor.com

2. Look for firmware upgrades in the Support area, on the Downloads
page. There is a description of the latest firmware revision and its
intended use.

3. Download the firmware to your computer.

To upgrade firmware in your drive’s flash memory:

1. Run the executable file that you downloaded from Plextor’s web site.

2. Accept all defaults by continuing to click on the “Next” button until
you see the message:

Firmware update has completed.

3. Restart your s ystem.

to check if you have the latest

.

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Emergency Eject

If the computer power is turned off or the automatic eject button at the
front of the drive does not work, use this procedure to open the drive.

To use the emergency eject hole to open the drive:

1. Make sure power to the drive is OFF. (That is, turn off your

computer.)

2. At the front of the drive, insert the emergency eject tool, or a paper

clip or other thin, rigid object, into the emergency eject hole.

3. Push the tool or other object straight in, until the disc tray clicks

open.

4. Carefully continue to slide the disc tray open.

5. Remove the CD from the disc tray.

6. Carefully push the disc tray shut.

Troubleshooting

If you have problems during or right after installation of your drive, first
make sure the drive is recognized. If you still have problems, visit the
Plextor web site for tips and troubleshooting help .

Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized

If you’re having trouble after installation, make sure the PX-712 drive is
recognized by your computer. To check whether the drive is recognized:

To see if the drive is recognized in Windows:

1. Turn the computer ON. After the computer boots up, you should see

the Windows disp lay.

2. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer and ensure there is an

icon for the Plextor drive, the hard disk, and another DVD or CD­ROM drive, if present. The Plextor icon may be D: or E: or another
designator.

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3. If the PX-712 drive is not recognized in Windows, reboot the
computer and use your computer’s setup program to program the
BIOS to recognize it.

NOTE: Refer to the computer’s documentation for information on how to
run the motherboard BIOS setup program.

For the PX-712A, use the motherboard BIOS setup program to set
up IDE Master and Slave designations, as needed for your
configuration, on the primary or secondary IDE bus. If the IDE
interface is disabled on your computer, you will need to enable it. If
a Master or Slave device is set to “disable” or “none” or a similar
designation, change it as appropriate to “enable” or “auto” (or
something similar, depending on your setup program).

4. Save and exit your CMOS setup to restart your computer with the
new settings.

5. In Windows 98SE, or Me, once the system comes up click the Start
button, then Settings, then Control Panel, then double-clic k on
System icon, then click on Device Manager tab. Click the + sign
next to the DVD/CD-ROM drives heading and look for the
“PLEXTOR DVDR PX-712A” entry underneath.

-or­In Windows 2000 or XP, right-click on the My Computer icon and
select Properties. Click on the Hardware tab, then click on the
Device Manager button. Click the + sign next to the DVD/CD-ROM
drives heading and look for the “PLEXTOR DVDR PX-712A” entry
underneath.

If you do not see this drive listed as one of the devices, or if it has a
yellow diamond with an exclamation point (!), contact Plextor Technical
Support. (See “Appendix B: Technical Support” for the different ways
you can contact us.)

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Using the PX-712A Self-Test Diagnostics

If you have a PX-712A drive, it contains a set of self-test diagnostics
that can help isolate trouble and determine if a problem is in the drive or
elsewhere. (The PX-712SA does not have this feature.)

NOTE: Using the self-test diagnostics requires opening the computer and
removing a cable from the drive, then replacing the cable at the end of
the test. If you previously installed the PX-712A in your computer, you
should have no fear of the simple procedures that are required. However,
if you’re are not comfortable with opening your PC and disconnecting
cables, you may want to let someone with more experience handle this
aspect of troubleshooting for you.

To perform the tests you’ll need:

• Tools to remove the computer’s cover

• An extra jumper (supplied)

• A blank piece of Plextor-recommended DVD+R, DVD-R, or CD-R

media. (See page 96, or visit our web site.) The self-test will write to
this media, so you won’t be able to use this disc again.

This tests three functions of the drive: writing at maximum sp eed,
continuous playback at maximum speed, and random access.

To perform the self-test:

1. Turn the computer’s power OFF, unplug it from its power source,

and open the computer to gain access to the rear of the PX-712A
drive. Typically, this involves loosening or removing several screws
on the back panel of your computer and sliding off the cover. (See
Figure 3 for an example.)

CAUTION: Before you attempt to open your computer be sure to
properly ground yourself by wearing an anti-static wristband. This will
help prevent static damage to your computer syst em.

2. You should be able to see the back of the PX-712A drive connected

to the ATAPI cable, power connector, and, optionally, an analog
sound cable.

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NOTE: You may have to remove the drive from the computer to
perform the next two steps.

3. Hold the ATAPI cable at or near the base of its connection to the
PX-712A drive. Carefully remove the ATAPI cable from the drive
by pulling the cable gently rearward.

4. Note the position of the mode jumper at the rear of the PX-712A. A
jumper will be installed on either the CABLE SELECT, SLAVE, or
MASTER position. Write down this jumper position. (You’ll need to
replace the jumper after the test.) Then:



If the jumper is on the MASTER position, move it to the
SLAVE or CABLE SELECT position for this test.



If the jumper is on the SLAVE or CABLE SELECT jumper,
leave it in place.



The position of the DMA jumper (on or off) doesn’t matter.
Don’t change it.

5. Install an extra jumper so that both the CABLE SELECT and
SLAVE positions are jumpered, as shown in Figure 41.

6. If you removed the drive for access to the cable and mode jumpers,
slide it back into the computer and connect the power cable to the
drive.

7. Replace the computer’s cover and re-connect the computer’s power
cord to the power source.

CAUTION: Turning on the computer power without first replacing the
cover can be dangerous to the computer’s components and also to
you. Be aware of the danger of electric shock and do not touch any
components inside the computer.

8. While pressing the eject button on the PX-712A, turn the computer
power on. The LED indicator blinks green, then amber, and the tray
ejects.

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