Are Plextor CD burners still sold through retail stores?

I am considering the purchase of a Plextor CD burner for my computer (external unit). Much to my surprise, I could find no Plextor burners on the CompUSA, Staples, Office Max, or Office Depot web sites. I know that at least some of these retailers sold Plextor burners in the past. In perusing plextor.com this evening, I found that they sell direct. Has Plextor gone the direct route in lieu of selling through retail outlets?

On a related subject, I found two external USB burners on plextor.com. Surprisingly, the one that is rated slower is more expensive ($199 versus $159). Here are links for the two burners. Which one would you recommend and why?

http://www.plextor.com/english/products/24_10_24u.html

http://www.plextor.com/english/products/Premium_u.htm

Thanks in advance.

 

I haven't seen them in "chain" stores for a while, but at least a couple of local computer stores have them on the shelves. If my present drive ever conks out I'll probably get a Plextor, but my HP (Sony mech) is still going strong after five years. It's max burning speed is only 4X though.

 

Thanks. If I decide to get a Plextor drive, I'll probably just order it from them. I wonder if they are available for less anywhere.

I don't suppose Plextor rebadges its burners under a different name for retail stores. Nah, probably not.

 

That's actually a good thing Craig. Don't be fooled into thinking that faster is better for burning. Most pro units only burn at 1X. Personally I've never been impressed with a faster burning speed. In fact, I always use 1X for the best audio results and yes I have compared the different speeds and different programs.

Keith, you are going love a Plextor once you try it. My own opinion is that internal is a better way to go when your interest lies in sound quality.

 

How do you figure?

 

I would also check out http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/ for questions you may have, Keith. They're the pro's at this stuff.

 

Actually, that's Craig! His avatar keeps getting me too!

 

Hmmm, must have been the 3 hour nap I had last night.

 

The three (1 HP, 1 Plextor, 1 Sony) that I've heard couldn't hold a match to the results of 2 (1 Plextor, 1 Yamaha) internals I've heard.

 

Thanks Jeff, I know slower is better and I usually only burn at 2X now anyway.

 

Slower isn't always better. From extensive tests at CDRLabs, they say on NEWER media, which is almost everything nowadays, the media rated at 48x, the optimal speed is ~12x. They have done tests and these have the least amount of C1 and C2 errors. For older media, indeed, 2x-4x is better. Of course, it also depends on the drive/media combination.

Here is a quote from a thread there:

An interesting thread on it is also here

 

Back on topic, one is more expensive because it is the "premium". I would personally go for that one, because it burns faster and seems more substantial. They might have tests on them over at CDR Labs.

 

It could just be because they are different drives, that is, reasons other than internal v. external that is causing the difference. Unless you took the internal, put it in an external enclosure, and then compared, I don't see how that can be a fair basis for comparison.

 

Note that there are a zillion brand names but only a few actual manufacturers of drive mechanisms. You can find Plextor mechanisms sold under other brand names.

 

I have the Plextor Plexwriter 24/10/40U - an external USB unit that I use with my old Sony Vaio Laptop. It's a fine machine and I have never had any problem with playing the burned discs on any player other than a Linn CD player (which I have ).
With the old USB 1.0 connection, I can't burn anything more than 4X anyway. Dave has gotten me burning at 1X now.

 

Plextor

Last one I bought retail was at CompUSA--I think it was the 48/24/48A, about 2 years ago. Online, these guys are priced competitively and they're reliable sellers:

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/ProdMM-CDRW-PLEXTOR.hmx?updepts=MM-CDRW&DNAME=CD-R+/+CD-RW

Go for the "premium" one.

--Roger

 

Plextors are also the best for ripping "problem" CD's.

The bundled Plextools is fabulous!

You may want to make a few CD's of your own compilations... or in my case, radio programmes.

There isn't a Copy Protected disc my Plextor hasn't coped with!

I currently have two in my system... the 40TS CD ROM and the 4012S CD R - both SCSI. Although the IDE flavours are just as good!

 

I saw some Plextor DVD-burners in Best Buy a couple of weeks ago.

It could be that Plextor found there is more $$$ in DVD burners than plain-ol CD burners.

The other thing to consider is that since Plextors are more expensive than yer Sony and Memorex burners, people will buy the cheaper ones. If a product doesn't sell, a retailer will be less likely to offer the product. Sad, but that's the way it is.

 

Thanks for continuing to post information. The reason I am considering a Plextor burner is that my two CD burners (one internal, one external) are not compatible with EAC. EAC cannot detect write speeds for my internal burner, and the "Writing Lead-Out" step never seems to stop with the external burner (it's gone on for 15 minutes before I've killed it by turning the burner off). I know that Plextor burners have an excellent reputation, and it seems that a lot of people use them with EAC.

 

Here's another question. Do all Plextor burners allow you to write at 1x? My external burner can only go down to 8x. I'm not sure what my internal burner does.

 

KeithH,

I was going to suggest this place too! MultiWave is a GREAT online retailer. I have bought TONS of stuff from them. XEON CPUs, MBs, RAM, CDRs, DVDRs, Video Cards, you name it. Their prices are EXCELLENT and their service is great. When I bought something I was not happy with, they took it back no problem.

PS - I have a Plextor Premium that I got from them!

 

As far as new ones go, highly doubtful. Honestly though there is no reason nowadays to write at 1x. With newer media that could actually be a worse thing. 8x-12x is optimal. These drives can write up to 48x and 12x is a walk in the park and makes great burns; that is the speed I always use.

 

Thanks. I've read about the 8x-12x speeds being optimal, but some folks still swear by burning at 1x. So I figured if I could get the flexibility in a new burner, it would be worth trying out.

 

Thanks for the recommendation. Plextor sells the Premium external burning for $160, so MultiWave isn't much cheaper -- just $11.

 

Oh, I assume that the Plextor Premium external burner ($149 from MultiWave or $160 from Plextor) works perfectly well with EAC. Could anyone please confirm this?

Also, MultiWave lists a Plextor Premium internal burner for $85. Is it the same unit as the external model? It looks to be on a quick inspection. On the one hand, I'd rather go with an external burner since they are just plug-and-play. However, I already have a relatively new external burner that I probably would not retire, so space around the computer would become an issue. On the other hand, I have an open bay on my computer (Dell Dimension 8300) that could accomodate an internal burner. Installation wouldn't be impossible, but the external unit would be easier to get up and running.