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DVD+R DL (DOUBLE LAYER), DVD±R/RW, CD-R/RW DRIVE
Model PX-716UF External
USB/FireWire Drive
INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL
SEPTEMBER 2004
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Plextor reserves the right to make improvements in the products
described in this manual at any time without prior notice.
Plextor makes no representation or warranties with respect to the
contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, Plextor
Corp. reserves the right to revise this manual and to make changes in
its content without obligation to notify any person or organization of
such revision or change.
This manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not be copied,
photocopied, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or
machine-readable form without Plextor’s prior permission.
Manual copyright ©2004 Plextor Corp. First edition, September 2004.
Licenses and Trademarks
Plextor, PlexTools, and the Plextor logo 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
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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 interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference 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 does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.
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 products have been designed and manufactured 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 bottom of the external 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-authorized personnel.
CAUTION: To disconnect the external DVD/CD drive from an electrical current,
pull out the AC adapter power plug.
PX-716UF Installation and Users Manual
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Bottom View of External Drive, Showing Caution Label Location
Detail of PX-716UF Laser Caution Label
iv PX-716UF Installation and Users Manual
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Table of Contents
1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1
About this Manual...........................................................................1
Meet Your PX-716UF.....................................................................2
What the PX-716UF Does...........................................................2
Features of the PX-716UF...........................................................3
Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-716UF..........................6
What You Can Do with the PX-716UF.......................................7
About Software ...............................................................................8
Precautions ...................................................................................... 9
Where to Go From Here................................................................ 10
2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive.......... 11
PX-716UF Drive Features and Controls .......................................11
Front Panel—PX-716UF External Drive ..................................11
Rear Panel—PX-716UF External Drive....................................13
What Else Is In the PX-716UF Box .............................................. 15
Save Your Box!.........................................................................15
Mount the PX-716UF Drive..........................................................16
Determine Your Computer’s Operating System ...........................17
Determine What Interface to Use..................................................17
Connect the PX-716UF Drive ....................................................... 18
Record the Serial Number and TLA Code ................................18
Install the Drive in Your Windows Computer...........................18
Identifying Cables and Ports .....................................................20
If You Have Windows 98SE and FireWire...............................21
If You Have Windows 98SE and USB......................................21
Switching Between USB and IEEE 1394 Interfaces ..................... 22
If You’re Using FireWire.............................................................. 22
If You Have a Macintosh ..............................................................23
3. Using Your PX-716UF ................................................................25
What Media to Use........................................................................25
DVD Media...............................................................................25
CD-ROM Media........................................................................26
Tray Loading and Operation .........................................................27
Handling DVD and CD Media..................................................27
Cleaning Discs...........................................................................28
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Table of Contents
Mounting Position......................................................................... 29
Playing DVDs............................................................................... 29
Writing to DVD Media ................................................................. 30
Specifying +R/RW or -R/RW................................................... 30
Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media ........................................... 30
Using the Disc/Busy Indicator ...................................................... 30
Switching to SpeedRead for Video Playback ............................... 31
Using AutoStrategy....................................................................... 32
4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional....................... 33
Loading PlexTools Professional Software.................................... 33
Using Silent Mode ........................................................................ 34
Turning On Silent Mode ........................................................... 34
Important Facts about Silent Mode........................................... 36
Using SecureRecording ................................................................ 36
Password-Protecting a Disc with SecureRecording .................. 37
Reading a Password-Protected Disc.......................................... 38
Important Facts about SecureRecording ................................... 39
Using VariRec............................................................................... 40
How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined...................... 40
Changing the VariRec Setting................................................... 41
Important Facts about VariRec ................................................. 42
Using GigaRec.............................................................................. 43
Burning a Disc with GigaRec ................................................... 43
How GigaRec Works ................................................................ 45
Important Facts about GigaRec................................................. 45
Testing Your CDs and DVDs ....................................................... 46
Measuring Read Transfer Rate ................................................. 46
Measuring Write Transfer Rate................................................. 49
Measuring Q-Check C1/C2/CU Errors ..................................... 51
Measuring Tracking and Focus Error ....................................... 55
Making Q-Check Jitter/Beta Measurements ............................. 59
Measuring Q-Check PI/PO Errors ............................................63
TA Test ..................................................................................... 65
Advantages of Buffer Underrun Proof Technology...................... 68
5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting............................................ 69
Cleaning the PX-716UF Drive...................................................... 69
Upgrading Firmware..................................................................... 70
Emergency Eject........................................................................... 70
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Table of Contents
Troubleshooting ............................................................................71
Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized..........................................71
Using the PX-716UF Self-Test Diagnostics.............................. 73
What You’ll Need .....................................................................73
Performing the Self-Test ...........................................................73
What the Self-Test Results Indicate ..........................................74
6. Frequently Asked Questions.......................................................75
Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications..........................................77
Appendix B: Technical Support.....................................................89
How to Contact Plextor Technical Support................................... 90
Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call for Support....................... 90
Returns ..........................................................................................91
Contacting Plextor’s RMA Department .................................... 91
Packing Your Drive................................................................... 92
Shipping Your Drive to Plextor.................................................92
Appendix C: Warranty...................................................................93
If You’re Outside the U.S. or Canada ...........................................94
Index.................................................................................................95
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1. Getting Started
Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor® PX-716UF, 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-716UF Installation and Users Manual
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Section 1. Getting Started
Meet Your PX-716UF
The PX-716UF is a DVD ReWritable/CD ReWritable drive that
provides professional quality DVD and CD performance for writing,
rewriting and reading.
What the PX-716UF Does
For DVDs, the PX-716UF:
• Writes DVD+R (recordable DVD, “plus” format) media at
up to 16X speed on recommended 16X or 8X media.
• Writes DVD+R DL (double layer) media at up to 4X speed.
• Writes DVD-R (recordable DVD, “dash” format) media at
up to 16X speed on recommended 16X or 8X media.
• Writes DVD+RW (rewritable DVD, “plus” format) media
at up to 8X speed. (Requires 8X media for 8X writing.)
• Writes DVD-RW (rewritable DVD, “dash” format) media
at up to 4X speed.
• Supports DVD+VR and DVD-VR format for read and write.
• Reads stamped 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)
• Supports DVD+RW background format
For CDs, the PX-716UF:
• Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 48X speed.
• Writes to CD-RW (rewritable 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.
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Section 1. Getting Started
Features of the PX-716UF
• USB 2.0 and FireWire interface: Features both USB 2.0 and
FireWire® (IEEE 1394), to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer
with either of these high-speed interfaces. Supports both Hi-Speed
USB 2.0 (480 megabits per second) and Full-Speed USB 1.1 (12
megabits per second).
• Intelligent recording: Achieves recording at high quality and
optimum speed using any media, thanks to unique Plextor
technology:
Writing technology for unknown media. When a writable or
rewritable disc isn’t listed in the drive’s internal media catalog,
AutoStrategy automatically checks the disc and develops a write
strategy for it.
Intelligent Tilt: Precise laser control and three-dimensional tilt
adjustment for uneven disc surfaces. Ensures optimal recording
and reading, especially with double layer media.
PoweRec: Plextor Optimized Writing Error Reduction Control
(PoweRec) adjusts laser power and writing speed so they’re at
the optimum settings for that particular disc. (For example,
when you’re writing an 8X-rated DVD, PoweRec checks to see
if a higher speed is possible, and sets the optimum write speed—
up to a maximum of 16X.)
• VariRec: Lets you change the write strategy to record at highest
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.
• Silent Mode: Unique technology that sets the drive for super-silent
operation. By controlling access speed, read/write speed, and tray
opening and closing speed, you reduce drive noise to a whisper.
• MMC compliance: Supports the MMC-4 command set.
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Section 1. Getting Started
• Flash memory: Allows upgrading the PX-716UF to the latest
firmware revision (available from the Plextor web site) without
opening the computer or physically accessing the drive.
• Black tray: Reduces the effect of optical distortion by absorbing
reflections from the laser beam, enhancing read quality.
• Plug and Play: Supports Windows Plug and Play.
• CPRM support: The PX-716UF supports Content Protection for
Recordable Media, so you can play CPRM copy-controlled media.
• Self-test diagnostics: The PX-716UF has a self-test diagnostic
function for easy troubleshooting.
• Q-Check tests: The Plextor PX-716UF achieves high-quality
recording on virtually any DVD or CD media. To see for yourself,
use the Q-Check features to check laser operation, or measure and
display characteristics of the media you’re using.
• Q-Check TA (Time Analyzer): The PX-716UF supports time interval
analysis that shows a histogram of a disc’s lands and pits, a valuable
aid in assessing disc quality.
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 byte 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.
• Double layer discs: Reads and writes DVD+R DL (double layer)
discs, so you can burn up to 4 hours of high quality MPEG-2/DVD
video on a single 8.5-gigabyte DVD disc.
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Section 1. Getting Started
• 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) for DVD+R DL (double layer) discs; DAO, multi-session,
and incremental write for DVD+R; and 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.
CD-R and CD-RW Features
• Variety of recording modes: Supports track-at-once, disc-at-once,
session-at-once, multi-session, and variable and fixed packet writing.
• Buffer Underrun Proof Technology: Eliminates 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.
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Section 1. Getting Started
• 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.
• SecureRecording: 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.
Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-716UF
Here’s what you’ll need in order to install and use the PX-716UF drive.
• Computer:
PC: Pentium 4, 1.4-GHz or faster CPU.
Macintosh: Power Macintosh G3 or later (G4 or higher
recommended for faster video encoding)
• Minimum RAM: 256 MB.
• Interface: USB (2.0 or 1.1) or IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface. (On-
board USB 2.0 or IEEE 1394 host controller recommended.)
• 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, 10 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:
PC: Windows XP, 2000, Me, 98SE.
Macintosh: For FireWire and USB 1.1, OS 9.1 or higher
NOTE: You cannot use the PX-716UF with early versions of Windows
98; if you are using Windows 98, it must be Windows 98SE (Second
Edition). Also, Windows 98SE must be updated with the latest Microsoft
patch.
recommended. For USB 2.0, OS X is required.
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Section 1. Getting Started
NOTE: The built-in USB ports on older computers (and even on
inexpensive new ones) provide only USB 1.1—that is, Full-Speed (12
Mbps) USB. This limits the CD-RW drive performance to 4X write, 4X
rewrite, and 6X read, while DVD performance with USB 1.1 is 0.7X. For
optimum performance if your PC or Macintosh does not have built-in
USB 2.0, use the FireWire port, if available. Or, for PCs (and Macs with
expansion capability), you can purchase and install a third-party PCI
USB 2.0 or FireWire plug-in host adapter card.
What You Can Do with the PX-716UF
Just look at some of the things you can do with your PX-716UF:
• Record slide shows or digital video onto DVD+R DL, DVD+R,
DVD-R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs.
• Play DVD-ROM, DVD+R DL, 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 Drag-to-Disc 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.
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Section 1. Getting Started
About Software
In order to record on DVD+R DL, 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-716UF
drive. When installed on your computer, this software lets you use your
Plextor PX-716UF 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
PX-716UF drive.
You can also use Roxio’s Easy Media Creator™ 7 Basic DVD Edition
to burn DVDs and CDs. The software lets you burn and share anything
on CD or DVD, including music, photos, and videos; and you can easily
back up your critical data to a CD or DVD. One component of Easy
Media Creator is Drag-to-Disc, which makes the Plextor PX-716UF
drive as easy to use as a hard disk drive. (For more information about
Easy Media Creator, install this application and examine the help files.)
NOTE: Easy Media Creator 7 requires Microsoft Windows XP (service
pack 1 or later) or Microsoft Windows 2000 (service pack 4 or later). This
product will not work with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE, or
Windows Me. (If you already have Easy CD & DVD Creator 6, these
should work with any operating system supported by the PX-716UF,
although they do not support DVD+R DL recording.) In addition, for realtime MPEG-2 capture and burning, Easy Media Creator 7 requires a 1.6GHz Pentium 4 or equivalent.
For more details about Easy Media Creator system requirements, see:
http://www.roxio.com/en/products/ecdc/system_requirements.jhtml
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 list of various software that you can use with
your Plextor drive can be found in the Support/Compatibility section of
www.plextor.com
.
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Section 1. Getting Started
Precautions
Like the rest of your computer system, your PX-716UF requires
reasonable care in its installation and use.
• Keep the area around your drive clean from dust, smoke, and other
contaminants.
• 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.
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Section 1. Getting Started
Where to Go From Here
• See Chapter 2, beginning on page 11, to learn how to connect your
drive.
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2. Installing the
PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
This chapter explains how to physically connect your PX-716UF
external drive to your computer.
PX-716UF Drive Features and Controls
Before proceeding, you should become familiar with the controls and
features of your Plextor drive. Match the parts of your drive to the
illustrations below.
Front Panel—PX-716UF External Drive
Figure 1: Front panel of the PX-716UF external drive
PX-716UF Installation and Users Manual
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
• Disc/busy 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 Technology is operational. Illuminated
yellow, green and amber when AutoStrategy is operational.
• Disc tray: Slides out to allow you to insert a disc.
• Emergency eject hole: If the automatic eject button does not work,
turn the power switch to OFF, then insert the emergency eject tool,
paper clip, or other thin, rigid object in this hole to eject the disc tray
manually.
• Power indicator: Illuminated blue when the PX-716UF drive power
is ON.
• Eject button: Push once to eject the tray. Push again to load the tray
back into the PX-716UF. To prevent wear on the drive, always use
the eject button to load the tray.
This button also controls SpeedRead and silent operation for DVDVideo discs 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.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
Rear Panel—PX-716UF External Drive
Figure 2: Rear panel of the PX-716UF external drive
• SELF TEST switch: Set switch to the right (off) for normal
operation, or set it to the left (ON) to execute the self-test diagnostic
routine. To execute a self-test: 1) Disconnect the USB or FireWire
cable, 2) turn the drive power switch OFF, 3) set the SELF-TEST
switch ON (left), 4) press and hold the eject button while turning the
power switch ON, and 5) insert a blank CD or DVD disc.
• IEEE 1394 4-pin connector: Connect an IEEE 1394 (also known as
FireWire) cable with a 4-pin connector here.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
• IEEE 1394 6-pin connector: Connect an IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
cable with a 6-pin connector here.
NOTE: The PX-716UF does not get its power from the IEEE 1394
bus or the USB bus. It must be connected to the AC adapter.
CAUTION: Use only the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) cable shipped with
your PX-716UF.
• Interface switch: Switch the PX-716UF drive to operate with a
different interface (USB, IEEE 1394). This allows you to connect the
drive to either interface, depending on the requirements of your
computer. If you change interfaces with this switch, you must also
cycle the PX-716UF power. (That is, turn the rear-panel power
switch off, then on again.)
• USB 2.0 connector: Connect the USB cable here. You can use a
USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 interface.
CAUTION: Use only the USB cable shipped with your PX-716UF.
• DC 12V power connector: Connect the AC adapter here.
CAUTION: Use only the AC adapter shipped with your PX-716UF.
• Power switch: Press this switch to turn the power on or off. Press
the “0” down to turn power off. Press the “1” down to turn power on.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
What Else Is In the PX-716UF 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 drive was in
their possession. Plextor currently sells the PX-716UF drive in this
configuration:
• PX-716UF DVD+R DL, DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW drive
• USB 2.0 cable
• IEEE 1394 (FireWire) cable
• AC adapter and power cord
• Emergency eject tool
• Cradle for vertical operation
• 1 piece of approved DVD+R media
• Plextor software disc with bundled PlexTools® Professional. Also
contains Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 Basic DVD Edition.
• PX-716UF Installation and Users Manual
• PX-716UF Quick Reference Guide
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 91.)
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. If 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.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
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-716UF Drive
This section explains how to physically connect the PX-716UF external
drive to your computer. In general, this is what you’ll do:
1. Determine what operating system your computer is running:
If your computer is running the Windows XP, 2000 or Me, or
the Macintosh operating system, you can install right away.
If you have Windows 98SE, and you are using the FireWire
(IEEE 1394) interface, you’ll need to go to the Microsoft
Windows web site to bring your system up to date.
If you have Windows 98SE, and you are using USB, you’ll need
to install a set of Plextor-provided drivers to bring your system
up to date.
2. Determine which interface you want to use: FireWire (IEEE 1394)
or USB.
3. Set the PX-716UF interface switch for IEEE 1394 or USB.
4. Connect the AC adapter to an electrical outlet and to the PX-716UF.
5. Turn the drive’s power switch ON (the “1” position).
6. Connect the USB or FireWire cable (corresponding to the setting of
the interface switch) from your PX-716UF drive to the computer.
That’s all there is to it! We’ll go over the procedure in more detail in the
next few pages.
If you have a PC, start here. If you have a Macintosh, go to “If You
Have a Macintosh” on page 23.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
Determine Your Computer’s Operating System
To determine which operating system your personal computer uses:
1. In Windows, select the Start menu, then select Settings, then Control
Panel, and choose the System icon. You see the System Properties
window.
2. In the System Properties window, make sure the General tab is
selected. The System line shows details about your operating system.
(For example, “Windows 2000.”)
NOTE: Your computer must be running Windows 98SE, Windows 2000,
Windows Me or Windows XP or the Macintosh operating system. If you
are not running one of these operating systems you cannot use the PX716UF. You cannot use the PX-716UF with early versions of Windows
98; it must be Windows 98SE (Second Edition).
Determine What Interface to Use
You can use either USB 2.0 or FireWire. The built-in USB ports on
older computers (and even on inexpensive new ones) provide only
USB 1.1—that is, Full-Speed (12 Mbps) USB.
For optimum performance:
• If your PC does not have built-in USB 2.0, use the FireWire port, if
available.
• If you have neither USB 2.0 or FireWire, you can purchase and
install a third-party PCI USB 2.0 or FireWire plug-in host adapter
card.
• If you don’t want to purchase a separate card, you can use your PC’s
built-in USB 1.1 port. However this limits the CD-RW drive
performance of the Plextor PX-716UF to 4X write, 4X rewrite, and
6X read. DVD performance with USB 1.1 is 0.7X.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
Connect the PX-716UF Drive
This section explains how to install your drive (that is, how to connect it
to your computer).
Record the Serial Number and TLA Code
Before proceeding to connect the Plextor PX-716UF drive to your
personal computer, record the serial number and TLA number of your
drive on the inside front cover of this manual.
Install the Drive in Your Windows Computer
If you have a computer with Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows
Me, use the following procedure to install your PX-716UF drive.
(Windows 98SE users, see page 21, then come back here after you have
updated your Windows installation.)
To install the PX-716UF drive in a Windows-based computer:
1. Turn ON your computer system.
2. Set the interface switch at the rear of the PX-716UF drive to USB
(switch to the right) if you are using a USB cable; or to 1394 (switch
to the left) if you are using IEEE 1394 (FireWire).
3. Connect the AC adapter to your PX-716UF as shown in Figure 3.
4. Turn the drive’s power switch ON (the “1” side is down).
5. Connect the USB or IEEE 1394 (FireWire) cable from your
PX-716UF drive to the computer.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
Figure 3: Connecting the AC adapter and USB or FireWire cable
The drive should be automatically recognized by the computer. In some
cases, you may have to reboot (turn the computer off, then on again) for
the PX-716UF to be recognized.
CAUTION: The PX-716UF should be the only device on the cable. Do
not daisy-chain the PX-716UF with other IEEE 1394/FireWire devices or
connect the drive to a USB hub.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
Identifying Cables and Ports
This illustration will help you identify the cables and computer ports and
make the necessary connections.
Figure 4: Identifying cables and ports on your computer
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
If You Have Windows 98SE and FireWire
If you have a computer with Windows 98SE, to ensure stable operation
when using the FireWire (IEEE 1394) interface, you’ll need to update
Windows with a patch file from Microsoft. You must do this before you
can install the PX-716UF drive.
To update your Windows 98SE operating system:
1. With your web browser, go to the Microsoft web site to download
the appropriate patch file. The URLs are:
English:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en;242975
Japanese:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;ja;242975
2. Install the Windows patch according to the instructions provided
with it.
3. Install the PX-716UF drive as detailed on page 18.
If You Have Windows 98SE and USB
If you have a computer with Windows 98SE and are using the USB
interface, you’ll need to update Windows with the Plextor driver before
you can install the PX-716UF.
To update your Windows 98SE operating system:
1. Install the Plextor drivers:
If you have a DVD Player, insert the Plextor disc and install
from the button labeled “98SE USB Driver.”
If you do not have the Plextor disc or do not have a DVD player,
download the PX-716UF drivers from:
http://www.plextor.com/english/support/drivers
/drivers.html#usb
2. Install the PX-716UF drive as detailed on page 18.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
Switching Between USB and IEEE 1394 Interfaces
You can connect any or all of the interface cables (USB, IEEE 1394
4-pin, and IEEE 1394 6-pin) and switch between them. You can even
have different cables attached at the same time, allowing more than one
computer to share the PX-716UF.
To switch between interfaces attached to the PX-716UF:
1. Ensure the interface cable for the desired USB or IEEE 1394
interface is attached to the PX-716UF and to the computer.
2. At the rear of the PX-716UF, set the interface switch to the desired
interface.
3. Cycle the PX-716UF power. (That is, turn the PX-716UF’s power
switch off, then on again.)
If You’re Using FireWire
If you are using FireWire (IEEE 1394), remember these hints for better
operation:
• Do not daisy-chain the PX-716UF; that is, do not connect it to the
same cable along with other FireWire devices.
• The PX-716UF is not bus powered—that is, it doesn’t get its power
from the IEEE 1394 cable—so you have to use the bundled AC
adapter.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
If You Have a Macintosh
If you have a Macintosh, use the following procedure to install your
PX-716UF drive:
1. Turn on the Macintosh.
2. Ensure you are running Macintosh OS 9.1 or higher (for FireWire
and USB 1.1) or OS X (for USB 2.0).
3. On the PX-716UF, set the rear-panel interface switch to USB or
IEEE 1394, corresponding to the interface you will be using.
4. Connect the AC adapter to your PX-716UF.
5. Turn the drive’s power switch ON (the “1” is depressed).
6. Connect the USB or IEEE 1394 cable from your PX-716UF drive to
the Macintosh computer.
The Macintosh automatically recognizes the PX-716UF (if the base
extensions are loaded), and you should be ready to use the drive as a
CD-ROM. To use the recording capabilities of the drive, a recording
application must be installed.
NOTE: Most Macintosh USB built-in ports provide USB 1.1 Full-Speed
(12 Mbps). This limits the CD-RW drive performance to 4X write, 4X
rewrite, and 6X read. DVD read performance is 0.7X. For optimum
performance, if your Macintosh computer does not have built-in USB 2.0,
use the FireWire port. Or you can install a third-party PCI USB 2.0 plugin host adapter card.
ANOTHER NOTE: For optimum performance if you use the USB
interface, you will also need Mac OS X. If you use OS 8.6.x or 9.x with a
built-in USB port or a PCI adapter, your PX-716UF will achieve only USB
1.1 performance.
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Section 2. Installing the PX-716UF External USB/FireWire Drive
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24 PX-716UF Installation and Users Manual
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3. Using Your PX-716UF
This chapter explains how to use your PX-716UF drive and how to load,
handle and care for your DVDs and CDs.
What Media to Use
Use the right media! Your PX-716UF 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, DVD+R DL (double layer) and DVD+RW
• DVD-R and DVD-RW
Your PX-716UF can read and write either media format, in single layer
or double layer media. 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 DL, 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.
Figure 5: The logo identifies the type of DVD media
With double layer media, you don’t need to turn the disc over to record
on side 2.
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25
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Section 3. Using Your PX-716UF
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.
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-716UF, are identified by a “Compact
Disc ReWritable Ultra Speed” logo.
Figure 6: The logo also identifies the type of CD-RW media
See “Recommended Media” on page 81 for a list of Plextor-approved
media at the time this manual was printed, and see the Plextor web site
at www.plextor.com
for an updated list.
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Section 3. Using Your PX-716UF
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 7: 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 within
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.
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Section 3. Using Your PX-716UF
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.
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 8: 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.
28 PX-716UF Installation and Users Manual
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Section 3. Using Your PX-716UF
Mounting Position
You can operate your PX-716UF drive in either a horizontal or a vertical
position.
Figure 9: You can operate the PX-716UF either
horizontally or vertically
Playing DVDs
To play a digital video disc, insert the DVD as you would any other
disc. The drive plays both single layer and double 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.
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Section 3. Using Your PX-716UF
Writing to DVD Media
You need special software that supports writing to DVD+R, DVD+R
DL, and DVD+RW discs; or to DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. Roxio
Easy Media Creator 7 (on the CD that accompanies your PX-716UF)
contains this software.
Specifying +R/RW or -R/RW
You don’t need to specify whether to write to +R DL, +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 Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 allows you to write audio, video,
data, or other information to writable (CD-R) or rewritable (CD-RW)
media. The PX-716UF writes to all types of CD-RW media.
Using the Disc/Busy Indicator
The color and blink rate of the front-panel disc/busy 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 disc/busy indicator indicate the speed of writing,
as follows:
Operation
No disc – Off –
Eject Yellow On –
Loading – Off –
Initialize Yellow On –
Standby Green On –
Read Yellow On –
DVD write,
8X and higher
Disc/busy LED
color
Amber Blink 40ms
On/Off/Blink
Blinking
interval
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Section 3. Using Your PX-716UF
Operation
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 16X
CD-RW write,
24X
CD-RW write,
10-23X;
10X CLV
CD-RW write,
4X
Buffer
Underrun
Proof / DVD
linking active
Write setting
created by
AutoStrategy
Disc/busy LED
color
Amber Blink 80ms
Amber Blink 150ms
Amber Blink 40ms
Amber Blink 80ms
Amber Blink 150ms
Amber Blink 40ms
Amber Blink 80ms
Amber Blink 150ms
Green On –
Yellow-greenamber
On/Off/Blink
Blink 200ms
Blinking
interval
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-716UF 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.
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Section 3. Using Your PX-716UF
To manually enable SpeedRead and speed up DVD playback:
1. Make sure the PX-716UF disc tray is closed and empty.
2. Press and hold the PX-716UF’s eject button for at least 3 seconds.
The disc/busy 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 double 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
Professional software. In PlexTools Professional, go to Drive Settings |
Advanced and enable or disable SpeedRead with the check box.
Using AutoStrategy
AutoStrategy is an self-adjusting writing technology for unknown
media. AutoStrategy enables high quality disc recording, even if the disc
is not listed in the drive’s internal media catalog.
If you prefer, you can disable AutoStrategy using PlexTools
Professional software. Go to Drive Settings | Advanced, and check the
Disable AutoStrategy check box.
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4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
The Plextor PX-716UF has a number of advanced features that set it
apart from other drives. For instance, you can operate in Silent Mode,
display 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 Software
To load PlexTools Professional software on your computer:
1. Insert the Plextor disc into the Plextor PX-716UF drive or another
DVD 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 disable automatic 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 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
Using Silent Mode
Although the Plextor PX-716UF 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 Professional 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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Section 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
Figure 10: 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 Mode 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 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
Important Facts about Silent Mode
• When first started, the Plextor PX-716UF 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 31.)
Using SecureRecording
The Plextor PX-716UF’s SecureRecording 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
36 PX-716UF Installation and Users Manual
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Section 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
Password-Protecting a Disc with SecureRecording
You can choose to password-protect a disc so it is readable by any
Plextor PX-716UF drive (assuming the user enters the correct
password), or by any drive using the SecuViewer.
To password-protect a disc with SecureRecording:
1. Insert a blank CD-R disc in the Plextor PX-716UF 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 window for SecureRecording.
Figure 11: Password-protecting a disc with SecureRecording
4. Enter the desired password in the Password field.
5. Retype your password in the Verify Password field.
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Section 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
6. Click the Activate Protection button. The Protection 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 SecureRecording, the disc can’t be read by a nonSecureRecording drive unless the correct password is entered.
Reading a Password-Protected Disc
To read a disc that has been password-protected with
SecureRecording:
1. Make sure you have PlexTools Pro or SecuViewer on your
computer.
2. Insert the password-protected CD-R disc into a PX-716UF 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
SecureRecording tab. You see the SecureRecording window.
-orLaunch SecuViewer.
4. Enter the password in the Password field.
5. Click the Activate Protection button. The Protection Status field
shows that protection is Active. You can now read the contents of
the disc using Windows Explorer.
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Section 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
Important Facts about SecureRecording
• SecureRecording burning is applicable to data (ISO 9660) CDs only.
• SecureRecording supports data CD-R discs written by disc-at-once
(DAO) techniques.
• If you are distributing a SecureRecording 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 SecureRecording. DVD discs, audio (CD-DA) discs,
or data CDs written by track-at-once (TAO) or multi-session cannot
be protected.
• Discs protected with SecureRecording using older versions of
PlexTools Professional may not be readable with the current version.
• Remember your password! Plextor has no way to retrieve 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.
.
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Section 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
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 instance, 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.
2. We include a catalog of the tested media and their write strategy in
your drive’s firmware. (This catalog 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.
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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 either the positive or negative direction. You can make these
changes for DVD+R 4X and 2.4X, DVD-R 4X and 2X, and CD-R 4X
and 8X CD-DA/data writing. VariRec also lets you change the 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-716UF.
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.
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, for a CD-R you can choose Default, Azo,
Cyanine, Phthalocyanine A, etc.
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Figure 12: 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.
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.
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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-716UF) that supports GigaRec.
• Recording software, such as PlexTools Professional, that supports
GigaRec.
• Player software that recognizes the GigaRec disc.
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-716UF 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.
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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.
4. To enable GigaRec, place a check mark in the Enable GigaRec box.
Figure 13: Selecting the GigaRec writing capacity
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.
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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-716UF 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.
• A disc recorded with GigaRec is playable in all Plextor PX-716UF
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-716UF 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 maximum
capacity and a little beyond. Overburn provides smaller increases in
disc capacity than are capable with GigaRec.
.
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Testing Your CDs and DVDs
The Plextor PX-716UF 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)
• TA (time analyzer)
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 of data
read from a disc. This function reports the read response of the Plextor
PX-716UF 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.
To measure read transfer rate response:
1. Place a recorded disc in the PX-716UF. 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.
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Figure 14: 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 15: 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-716UF 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-716UF 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-716UF
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 16: 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 Write
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-716UF 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-716UF 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-716UF.
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 17: 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 18: 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 Test 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 errors per
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 81.)If your discs consistently show a high number of C1/C2 errors,
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-716UF 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-716UF drive. It actually measures the amplitude of the laser
focus error and tracking error, and displays the results. This function
tests blank CD-R, DVD+R and DVD-R media. (It’s not for CD-RW,
DVD+RW, DVD-RW or DVD+R DL discs.)
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To use PlexTools Professional to measure tracking and focus error:
1. Place a blank CD-R, DVD+R or DVD-R disc in the PX-716UF.
Don’t use a rewritable (RW) disc or a double layer DL 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 19: 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 20: 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-716UF 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 disc.
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 DVD or CD. If you attempt to measure a recorded or prerecorded, 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-716UF 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-716UF.
2. From the PlexTools menu bar, select Q-Check Beta/Jitter Test. You
see the Q-Check window with a graph for beta and jitter.
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Figure 21: 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 22: 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 window, 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 writing 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-716UF 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 PIE (parity inner errors) and POF (parity
outer fails) on the current DVD disc in the Plextor PX-716UF 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-716UF.
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 23: 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. Use the pulldown box to select the type of test: SUM8, SUM1,
Basic, or Burst.
5. Select the Preferences button. You see the Preferences window for
PI/PO tests.
6. In the Preferences window, select the desired preferences. Then click
OK. You see the main PI/PO test window again.
7. 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.
8. 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. You can
also view the log to see the results.
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.
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.
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. A POF
corresponds to a CU error (an unrepairable error), as detected by a CD
error checker.
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Your choices for error display are as follows:
• SUM8: Displays total number of detected PI errors, known as “PI-
Sum8,” in 8 consecutive ECC blocks. The maximum allowable value
of PI-Sum8 is 280 or less. The result of this measurement includes
burst error which may be corrected by the PO stage.
• SUM1: Displays number of PI-uncorrectable rows in 1 ECC block.
According to DVD standards, this value should not exceed 4.
However, it may be corrected if the value is over 4. This
measurement can check for defects, fingerprints, or media damage.
• Basic: Displays number of bytes of corrected PI error in 1 ECC
block. This measurement does not include burst error, so it is
correlated with jitter. This measurement can check the quality of a
written disc.
• Burst: Displays burst errors.
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). As for POF errors, these cannot be repaired,
so the occurrence of a POF is not acceptable. With POF errors, there is a
chance that the data will become unreadable.
TA Test
The Time Analyzer (TA) test analyzes the lands and pits of a disc and
produces a histogram of T3-T11 and T14. You can use this test as a
visual indication of the quality of a disc.
This test is for use on a DVD+R or DVD-R disc that you have recorded.
(It’s not for use with any CD, nor is it for use with a commercial pressed
DVD, or a DVD+RW or DVD-RW disc.)
NOTE: At first release, the PX-716UF does not support CD-R/RW media.
Support will be provided by a firmware upgrade. See page 70 for details
on how to upgrade your drive’s firmware.
To view a TA analysis:
1. Place a pressed or recorded CD or DVD in the PX-716UF.
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2. From the PlexTools menu bar, select Q-Check TA Test. You see the
TA window.
Figure 24: Q-Check TA Test window showing results with a high-
quality disc
3. Click the Start button. You see a window that lets you select the test
area: the inner zone, middle zone, or outer zone of the disc. If this is
a double layer disc, you can also select the layer.
4. Select the zone and layer and click OK. After a few moments, you
see a histogram showing frequency distribution of the lands and pits
in the disc.
What the Histogram Means
The histogram gives a graphic representation of jitter—that is, the
variation of the 3T segment, the 4T segment, etc. The test measures the
time intervals between each two successive pit/land transitions and
compares them with DVD specifications. The test is done on a specific
area (inner, middle, or outer) of the disc.
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Section 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
Figure 25:Q-Check TA Test on a poor-quality disc
A DVD has a total of 10 different pits, including nine from 3T to 11T
and one 14T pit. These histograms show the degree of jitter occurring at
each pit. An ideal condition (when jitter is small) is when the adjacent
pit/land peaks are thin, long and clearly separated from each other.
A better quality disc will have histograms in which the peaks are
narrow, indicating less variation in length deviation. Also, in a good disc
there will be no peak shift—that is, peaks will lie along the green axes.
If the frequency distribution of the lands and pits seems “muddy,” or the
segments run together, the disc quality is not good.
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Section 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional
Advantages of Buffer Underrun Proof Technology
PlexTools Professional software lets you enable or disable Buffer
Underrun Proof Technology on the Plextor PX-716UF (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 other
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 high 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 same
place once the data is available again. Buffer Underrun Proof
Technology in your drive means you can safely use your computer for
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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5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
This chapter explains maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for
your PX-716UF drive.
With proper maintenance, you can prevent problems. If trouble arises,
you can often solve many simple problems on your own, rather than
wait for assistance from a Plextor representative.
Cleaning the PX-716UF 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 91.)
• 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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Section 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Upgrading Firmware
Plextor creates firmware revisions to meet the particular needs of large
computer manufacturers. It is rare that these revisions will impact the
performance or operation of your drive. However, we advise that you
always update your drive with the latest available firmware. Among
other benefits, updating firmware ensures that your drive has the latest
media catalog. Before troubleshooting a possible problem with your PX716UF drive please visit our web site at www.plextor.com
you have the latest 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 system.
to check if
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 tool 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.
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Section 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Figure 26: Emergency eject
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-716UF
drive is recognized by your computer.
To see whether the drive is recognized:
1. Turn the computer ON. After the computer boots up, you should see
the Windows display.
2. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer and ensure there is an
icon for the Plextor drive. The Plextor icon may be D: or E: or
another designator.
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Section 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
3. In Windows 98SE, or Me, once the computer starts click the Start
button, then Settings, then Control Panel, then double-click on
System icon, then click on the Device Manager tab. Click the + sign
next to the CD-ROM heading and look at the PLEXTOR DVDR
PX-716A device entry underneath.
-orIn Windows XP or 2000, 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 at the PLEXTOR DVDR PX-716A device
entry underneath.
4. If you have a PX-716UF drive that is not recognized in Windows:
a) If your USB or IEEE 1394 controller has a yellow diamond with
an exclamation point (!), contact your PC or motherboard
manufacturer for help, and to troubleshoot your controller for driver
compatibility or conflicts. It may just be a matter of obtaining the
latest driver, or a motherboard BIOS update, from the manufacturer.
b) If the USB or IEEE 1394 controller is listed and does not have a
yellow diamond with an exclamation point, but the Plextor drive is
listed as a “USB” or “IEEE 1394 Storage device,” select the
“Storage device” and then select the “Remove” button. Reboot your
system. The system will do another hardware scan and should install
the driver properly.
5. If you still have problems, or if the USB or IEEE 1394 controller is
listed and does not have a yellow diamond with an exclamation
point, but you do not see the Plextor drive listed as one of the
devices, contact Plextor Technical Support. (See “Appendix B:
Technical Support” for the different ways you can contact us.)
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Section 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Using the PX-716UF Self-Test Diagnostics
The PX-716UF contains a set of self-test diagnostics that can help
isolate trouble and determine if a problem is in the drive or elsewhere.
What You’ll Need
To perform the tests you’ll need a blank piece of Plextor-recommended
DVD+R, DVD-R, or CD-R media. (See “Recommended Media” on
page 81 or visit our web site.) The self-test will write to this media, so
you won’t be able to use this disc again.
Performing the Self-Test
This tests three functions of the drive: writing at maximum speed,
continuous playback at maximum speed, and random access.
To perform the CD write/read test:
1. Unplug the USB or FireWire cable from the rear of the Plextor PX-
716UF drive.
CAUTION: Failure to disconnect the USB or FireWire cable before
starting the test could result in system data loss.
2. Set the PX-716UF drive’s power switch to OFF (so the “0” is
depressed).
3. Slide the SELF TEST switch to the left (ON) position. Use a pen
point, paper clip, or other similar object.
4. While pressing the eject button, set the PX-716UF’s power switch to
ON (the “1” is depressed). The front-panel disc/busy indicator blinks
green and amber, and the disc tray opens.
5. Insert a blank Plextor-certified DVD+R, DVD-R, or CD-R disc. Be
sure to use only media of the type recommended by Plextor. Then
close the disc tray.
If the disc/busy indicator blinks amber three times, the loaded
disc is not a blank DVD+R, DVD-R, or CD-R disc. Remove the
disc and insert a blank, Plextor-certified recordable disc.
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Section 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting
6. The drive begins the diagnostic routine. Upon completion of the
diagnostic, you see the results:
If there was no problem, the disc is ejected automatically. (That
is, the disc tray opens, allowing you to remove the disc.)
If there was a problem, the disc is not ejected, and you see the
disc/busy indicator blink green. One green blink indicates a
write or read error. Two green blinks indicate an initialization
error.
7. If the disc was not ejected automatically, press the eject button to
eject the disc.
8. Turn the PX-716UF power switch to OFF, and set the SELF-TEST
switch to the right (OFF) position.
9. Turn the PX-716UF’s power switch to ON (so the “1” is depressed).
10. Reconnect the USB or FireWire cable from your PX-716UF drive to
the computer.
What the Self-Test Results Indicate
• If a drive passes the self-test, then the drive’s operation is OK.
• If the drive fails the self-test, in some cases the problem may be
caused by the media. Try the self-test again using a different brand
of DVD±R or CD-R media; if the drive passes the self-test this time,
the drive is OK.
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6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is better, DVD+R and DVD+RW? Or DVD-R and DVD-RW?
A: Neither is “better” or “worse.” They’re just different standards, like
English versus metric measurement.
Different manufacturers support different standards. The DVD+R and
DVD+RW formats are supported by Plextor, Philips, Sony, HewlettPackard, Dell, Ricoh, Yamaha and other manufacturers. DVD-R, DVD-RW
and DVD-RAM are also supported by Plextor, as well as Panasonic,
Toshiba, Apple Computer, Hitachi, NEC, Pioneer, Samsung and Sharp.
No matter which format a DVD disc is recorded in, it can be read by most
commercial DVD-ROM players.
Q: What is “recommended media”?
A: Recommended media are recordable or rewritable CD and DVD media
that have been tested by Plextor and found to operate well consistently, from
one manufacturing lot to another. For each drive, Plextor engineers test
media from many different manufacturers and manufacturing facilities,
creating a recommended media list and determining the optimum write
strategy for that particular media type. The results are listed as
“recommended media,” and are also assembled into a media catalog and
stored in firmware in Plextor drives. (See page 81 for a list of recommended
media for the PX-716UF at the time this manual was printed, and see the
Plextor web site at www.plextor.com
From time to time, the media catalog is updated with new manufacturers and
part numbers as Plextor tests additional media. When this happens, Plextor
makes new drive firmware available. You can download this new firmware
and update your drive.
for an updated list.)
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Section 6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the transfer rates for the different interfaces?
A: Different interfaces have different maximum transfer rates. The following
table compares the transfer rates for the different interfaces.
Interface Maximum Transfer Rate
USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) 480 Mbps max.
USB 1.1 (Full-Speed) 12 Mbps max.
IEEE 1394 (FireWire) 400 Mbps max.
Actual transfer rates in the real world depend on the type of media and
software you’re using, and on the type of data being transferred.
Q: Can I get USB 2.0 on a Macintosh?
A: The Macintosh currently has USB 1.1 built in. If your Macintosh has a
PCI slot, you can purchase and install a USB 2.0 interface card. However,
any OS below OS X does not have USB 2.0 support, so you may also have
to upgrade your Mac operating system. If your Macintosh lacks a PCI slot,
you should use the FireWire port, if available.
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Minimum System Requirements—PX-716UF Drive
Computer
Minimum RAM 256 MB
Hard Disk Size 1 GB of free space to write to a CD in image mode, or
Interface USB 1.1 or 2.0 supported
Operating
System
PC*: Pentium 4, 1.4-GHz or equivalent
Macintosh: Power Macintosh G3 or later
(G4 or higher recommended for faster video
encoding)
10 GB of free space to create DVD images. (For more
accurate guidelines, see the help files or
documentation for the recording software you’re
using.)
IEEE 1394/FireWire supported
(On-board USB 2.0 or IEEE 1394/FireWire controller
suggested)
PC*: Windows XP, 2000, Me, or 98SE
Macintosh: (For FireWire and USB 1.1, OS 9.1 or
higher recommended. For USB 2.0, OS X.)
Special considerations for Windows 98SE:
To ensure stable IEEE 1394 operation with
Windows 98SE, update Windows with Microsoft
patch file before installing the PX-716UF.
For Windows 98SE and USB, use the Plextor USB
drivers.
*NOTE: Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 requires
Microsoft Windows XP (SP 1 or later) or Microsoft
Windows 2000 (SP 4 or later). This product will not
work with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98SE,
or Windows Me.
For real-time MPEG-2 capture and burning, Easy
Media Creator 7 requires a 1.6-GHz Pentium 4 or
equivalent.
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Front Panel
Eject Eject button; manual emergency eject; software eject.
Disc/Busy
Indicator
Yellow when initializing, reading, or ejecting disc.
Green during standby and when Buffer Underrun
Proof Technology or Lossless Linking/Zero Link
is active.
Blinking amber when writing to disc. Blink rate
indicates writing speed.
Power
Indicator
Disc Loading Auto
Illuminated blue when AC adapter is connected and
PX-716UF drive power is ON.
Rear Panel
DC 12V
Connector
(Power Supply)
Power
Consumption
(Typical)*
Current* USB
Typical DVD read
Typical CD read current
Typical DVD write
Typical CD write
Typical pause current 1.0A 1.0A
Peak current 2.8A 2.8A
AC 100~240V, 50/60 Hz
23W
IEEE 1394
Interface
Interface
Typical standby current 500 mA 500mA
1.7A 1.7A
current (DVD 16X)
1.7A 1.7A
(CD 48X)
1.7A 1.7A
current (DVD+R 12X)
1.7A 1.7A
current (CD-R 48 X)
*These parameters were not yet confirmed at the
time this manual was published.
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Rear Panel (continued)
Power Switch Turns power on and off. Power OFF is O;
power ON is 1.
1394-USB
Switch
Interface switch: switches the PX-716UF drive to
operate with a different interface (USB or IEEE 1394)
IEEE 1394
Connectors
4-pin and 6-pin connectors for attaching an IEEE
1394 (FireWire) cable. Use only the IEEE 1394
(FireWire) cable shipped with your PX-716UF.
USB
Connector
Connector for attaching USB cable. Use only the USB
cable shipped with your PX-716UF You can connect
to a USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 interface.
SELF TEST
Switch
For normal operation, leave the switch to the right
(off) position. For self-test, slide the SELF-TEST
switch to the left-hand (ON) position.
DVD Regional Setting
Compatibility RPC phase-2-compatible
Changing
regional
setting
Max. 5 times
Other Features
Data Buffer 8 MB
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Supported Media
Supported
Media, DVD
Supported
Media, CD
Supported
Media Size
Stamped DVDs: Single layer / Double layer
DVD-R: For general version 2.0
DVD-RW: Version 1.1 / 1.2
DVD+R: Version 1.2
DVD+R DL: Version 1.0
DVD+RW: Version 1.2
Stamped CDs: Discs compliant with
Red/Yellow/Green/White/Blue Book
CD-R: Orange Book Pt II-compliant discs (Type 74,
Type 80)
CD-RW: Orange Book Pt III-compliant discs
CD: 12 cm
DVD: 12 cm, 8cm (DVD-R/RW)
Usable Formats
Logical DVD
Read/Write
Logical CD
Read/Write
Write
Methods,
DVD+R/RW
Write
Methods,
DVD-R/RW
Write
Methods,
CD-R/RW
DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, multi-border, multi-session,
DVD+VR, DVD-VR
CD-DA, CD-Extra, CD-ROM Mode-1, CD-ROM Mode2, CD-ROM XA, Photo CD, Video CD, multi-session,
CD-TEXT, CD-I, CD+G, UDF
DVD+R: Disc-at-once (DAO), multi-session,
incremental
DVD+RW: Random access write, sequential write
DVD+R DL: DAO
DVD-R: DAO, incremental recording, multi-border
recording
DVD-RW: DAO, multi-border recording,
incremental recording, restricted overwriting,
DRT-DM
Track-at-once (TAO), DAO, packet write (variable and
fixed), session-at-once (SAO)
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Recommended Media
DVD+R: 16X Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden
DVD+R:
12X, 8X, 6X,
4X, 2.4X
DVD+RW:
8X, 4X, 2.4X
DVD+R DL:
4X, 2.4X
DVD-R: 16X,
12X, 8X, 6X,
4X, 2X
DVD-RW: 4X Victor, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim
DVD-RW:
1X-2X
CD-R: 4X-48X Maxell, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden
NOTE: With media rated at 8X to 16X, PoweRec
determines if higher speed is possible, and sets the
optimal write speed, up to a maximum of 16X. (16X
writing may not be possible on media other than this
recommended media.)
Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, Ricoh,
Maxell
Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Ricoh
NOTES: All DVD+RW media are rewritable up to
1,000 times.
8X DVD+RW writing requires 8X media.
Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim
Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden, Maxell,
TDK
NOTE: With media rated at 8X, PoweRec determines
if higher speed is possible, and sets the optimal write
speed, up to a maximum of 16X. (16X writing may not
be possible on media other than this recommended
media.)
Victor, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, TDK
NOTE: All DVD-RW media are rewritable up to 1,000
times.
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Recommended Media (continued)
CD-R: 4X-16X Maxell, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Taiyo Yuden,
Ricoh
NOTE: You can disable PoweRec. With PoweRec
disabled, you can write at any speed (although your
results may be poor).
CD-RW: 24X Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim
CD-RW:
4X-10X
Ricoh, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim
NOTE: All CD-RW media are rewritable up to 1,000
times.
Performance Specifications
Read Speed
DVD
6-16X
5-12X
3-8X
2-5X
6-16X
Speed
CAV
CAV
CAV
CAV
CAV
NOTE: SL = Single layer disc, DL = Double layer disc
NOTE: When a DVD-Video with CSS (copy protection
via the Content Scrambling System) is loaded, the
PX-716UF slows its playback speed to reduce drive
noise.
Stamped DVD
SL DL
– – – –
DVD
±R
DVD
±RW
DVD
+R
DL
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Performance Specifications (continued)
Read Speed,
CD
20-48X
17-40X
14-32X
10X-24X
8X CLV Stamp,R,
4X CLV Stamp,R,
Write Speed,
DVD ± R/RW
16X
12X
6X-8X
6X CLV
4X CLV
2.4X
2X CLV – – –
1X CLV – – – –
Speed Mode-1
Discs
Stamp,R
CAV
CAV
CAV
CAV
NOTE: “Stamp” indicates commercially pressed
“silver” discs.
Speed +R +RW +R
CAV
PCAV
PCAV
(48X with
SpeedRead;
default is
40X)
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
RW
RW
Mode-2
Discs
– –
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
–R –RW
DL
– –
– –
–
–
CD-DA
Discs
Stamp,R
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
Stamp,R,
RW
–
–
CLV
–
–
–
–
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Performance Specifications (continued)
Write Speed,
CD-R/RW
48X
32X
24X
16X
10X
8X CLV
4X CLV
Speed CD-R Ultra
Speed
CD-RW
Media
– – –
– – –
– – –
– – –
– –
CAV
PCAV
PCAV
CLV
CLV
–
– –
High
Speed
CD-RW
Media
– –
Normal
Speed
CD-RW
Media
–
DVD Transfer
Rate
16X 9280-22160 (CAV) 9280-22160 (CAV)
12X 8310-16620
8X 8310-11080
6X 8310 (CLV –
5X – 2909-6925 (CAV)
4X 5540 (CLV) –
2.4X 3324 (CLV) –
2X 2770 (CLV) 2770 (CLV)
1X 1385 (CLV) –
Speed Write (Kbps) Read (Kbps)
6925-16620 (CAV)
(PCAV)
4709-11080 (CAV
(PCAV)
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Performance Specifications (continued)
CD Transfer
Speed Write (Kbps) Read (Kbps)
Rate
48X 3180-7200 (CAV) 3180-7200 (CAV)
40X – 2710-6000 (CAV)
32X 3180-4800 (PCAV) 2170-4800 (CAV)
24X 3000-3600 (PCAV) 3000-3600 (CAV)
16X 2400 (CLV) –
10X 1500 (CLV) –
8X 1200 (CLV) 1200 (CLV)
4X 600 (CLV 600 (CLV)
Initialization
Time
Time measured from power on until disc is available
to read:
DVD: < 13 sec. (typical), < 15 sec. (max.)
CD: < 13 sec. (typical), < 15 sec. (max.)
Access Time Time measured from command phase until bus free
(no disconnect):
DVD: < 150 msec. (typical), < 180 msec (max.)
CD: < 100 msec. (typical), < 130 msec (max.)
Sleep Mode Entered after 2 minutes of no access to drive (default
setting)
Wake Mode < 5.5 sec. (max.) to start drive after sleep
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions
(W/H/D)
(excluding
front panel)
Weight < 3.8 lbs. (1.7 kg)
7.24" x 2.05" x 10.43"
184 mm x 52 mm x 265 mm
Host Interface
Type USB: B-type
IEEE 1394: 6pin/4pin
Data
Connector
USB 2.0
Transfers
USB 1.1
Transfers
IEEE 1394
Transfers
Inquiry String PLEXTOR sp DVDR sp sp sp PX-716A sp sp
ATAPI
Commands
USB: B-type
IEEE 1394: 6pin/4pin
Hi-Speed; 480 Mbps (max)
Full-Speed; 12 Mbps (max)
IEEE Std 1394-1995, IEEE 1394a-2000
400 Mbps (max)
(where “sp” is one space)
Refer to Plextor ATAPI command manual
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Environmental Conditions
Mounting
Position
Horizontal or vertical orientation:
Horizontal: ±15 degrees
Vertical: Front side up or down, ±15 degrees
Operating
5 to 35 degrees Celsius
Temperature
Operating
20 to 80% (non-condensing)
Humidity
Storage
–40 to 60 degrees Celsius
Temperature
Storage
20 to 95 % (non-condensing)
Humidity
Acoustic Noise Playing balanced disc: Maximum 45dB
Playing unbalanced disc: Maximum 45dB
Tray ejecting: Maximum 50dB
Vibration,
Operating
Sine sweep 5 minutes:
CD/DVD read: 0.15G
CD-R write: 0.15G
0-Pk
CD-RW rewrite: 0.10G
DVD write: 0.10G
0-Pk
(5-300Hz)
0-Pk
(5-300Hz
(5-300Hz)
0-Pk
(5-300Hz)
Vibration, NonOperating
Shock,
Operating
Sine sweep 5 minutes: 2.0G
(5-300Hz)
0-Pk
(Power off, without disc)
11msec half sine, 10 sec interval:
CD read: 5.0G
CD read: 2.5 G
DVD read: 5.0G
DVD read: 2.5 G
CD-R write: 1.5G
CD-RW rewrite: 0.5G
DVD write: 0.5G
(5-300Hz)
0-Pk
(5-300Hz) (vertical orientation)
0-Pk
(5-300Hz)
0-Pk
(5-300Hz) (vertical orientation)
0-Pk
(5-300Hz)
0-Pk
0-Pk
(5-300Hz)
0-Pk
(5-300Hz)
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Appendix A: PX-716UF Specifications
Environmental Conditions (continued)
Shock, Nonoperating
Electrostatic
Discharge
Permissible velocity: Minimum 62G
Permissible velocity change: Minimum 220cm/sec
(Power off, without disc)
±8KV aerial discharge
±4KV contact discharge
Both with no hard errors, no damage
Reliability
MTBF 60,000 hours
Tray Loading 50,000 load/unload cycles
Read Error
Rate
CD-ROM Mode 1: 1 block/1012 bits
CD-ROM Mode 2: 1 block/10
9
bits
Safety, Laser, and EMC Standards
Country/
Region
USA Safety UL UL 60950
Laser FDA FDA 21 CFR 1040.10
EMC FCC FCC Part15B-Class B
Canada Safety UL (C-UL) CSA 22.2 No. 60950
EMC IC ICES-003 Class B
Europe Safety CE EN60950
Laser CE EN60825-1
EMC CE EN55024,
Taiwan EMC BSMI CNS13438 Class B
Korea EMC MIC
Australia EMC C-Tick EN55022 Class B
Type Agency Standard
and 1040.11
EN50022 Class B
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Appendix B: Technical Support
Store Plextor’s e-mail, web site, phone, and fax numbers in a convenient
location. Keep your drive’s serial number and a copy of your sales
receipt handy as well.
If you experience a problem while installing or operating your drive,
please refer first to the relevant sections of this manual regarding setup
and installation (Chapters 1–3). If you do not uncover the solution there,
please refer next to the maintenance and troubleshooting chapter that
begins on page 69. You may also wish to refer to the Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) section of our web site to assist you in troubleshooting
the problem on your own.
NOTE: We encourage you to go the Plextor web site (www.plextor.com)
before attempting to contact Technical Support. The answers to the most
common questions callers ask can be found quickly in the support area.
Select PlexHelper for online troubleshooting or FAQs for answers to
common questions.
If you have not been successful in your quest, our Technical Support
Department will help you solve problems that relate specifically to your
PX-716UF drive. In many cases, a problem that appears to be caused by
your Plextor drive actually originates in another part of your computer.
In such instances, our technical support staff will try to help you identify
the part at fault and will refer you to the manufacturer of that part for
further assistance.
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Appendix B: Technical Support
How to Contact Plextor Technical Support
There are several ways for you to contact Plextor’s Technical Support
Department:
• Visit our web site (www.plextor.com
) for answers to Frequently
Asked Questions.
• Send us e-mail at techsupport@plextor.com
. Include your telephone
number and the hours during which you can be reached. Be as
detailed as possible in describing your problem. Please include
system configuration, hardware and software, as well as versions of
drivers used.
• Call 510-440-2000 and select the tech support option.
Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call for Support
Please gather as much of the following information as possible before
contacting us.
• The serial number and TLA (top level assembly) number of your
PX-716UF drive. Your serial number and TLA number appear on
the drive label.
• The latest version of firmware you loaded onto the drive, if
applicable.
• The version of the Windows operating system you are using.
• The brand name and model number of your computer (e.g., Dell
466/NP, Hewlett-Packard Pavilion 752n, etc.).
• The type of VGA, Super VGA, or other graphics board you use.
• Brand name and model number of any other peripherals you have
installed or connected to your computer (e.g., CD-ROM, scanner,
fax board, network board).
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Appendix B: Technical Support
Returns
In the unlikely event that you need to return a drive to Plextor, you need
an RMA (Returned Materials Authorization) number. You need this
number before any Plextor drive can be returned for repair or
replacement. Here’s how you get an RMA number and return your
drive:
1. Contact Plextor Technical Support. You will receive assistance in
troubleshooting your system. If the drive is determined to be
defective, you will receive a Tech Support Ticket Number.
2. Locate the RMA request form at:
https://www.plextor.com/english/support/rma_request_form.htm
Complete the form, providing the Technical Support Ticket number
and details of the drive failure. After completing the form, click the
Submit button.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The RMA form will NOT be processed without the
Tech Support Ticket Number.
3. Plextor will then return the RMA form to you via e-mail, with the
RMA number and shipping information included.
4. When you receive the RMA number, pack the Plextor drive securely
in a box, and include the RMA form as a packing slip.
5. Write the RMA number in large letters on the outside of the box, and
ship the box and the drive to Plextor.
.
Contacting Plextor’s RMA Department
You can contact our RMA Department and request RMA forms at:
• rmasupport@plextor.com
• Or by fax at 510-651-9765
• Or by calling us at 510-440-2000
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Appendix B: Technical Support
Packing Your Drive
Check the drive to make sure there is no disc inside, and if possible,
pack your drive in the original box. Some of our customers have not
held on to their boxes and have had to resort to less-than-secure methods
to get drives back to us.
Be sure to include the AC adapter when you ship the drive.
CAUTION: Never ship the drive with a CD or DVD disc inside it.
If you did not receive a box, we recommend you pay a packaging store
(such as The UPS Store) to ship your drive. If you don’t have a
packaging store in your area, ask for packaging pointers when you
contact us to get an RMA number before returning any drive.
Shipping Your Drive to Plextor
Be sure to write the RMA number on the outside of the shipping box.
Any drive sent to Plextor without an RMA number will not be accepted.
NOTE: The RMA number must be clearly visible on the outside of the
shipping box.
Drives must be sent postage prepaid. We recommend that you insure
your shipment, as Plextor cannot be held responsible for any damage
that may occur during shipment.
92 PX-716UF Installation and Users Manual
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