Plextor introduces 8x DVD+R writing, DVD±R Drive Articles / Plextor Posted by zmcnulty on Jul 29, 2003 - 10:19 AM On July 10th, Plextor introduced 2 DVD±R drives capable of writing DVD+R discs at 8x speed. The two devices are the ATAPI internal PX-708A, and the USB 2.0/IEEE 1394 external PX-708UF. Though the products are both listed as "Open Price", indicators suggest the price for the internal model (due out sometime in September) will be around 34,000 yen, and the external model (due out sometime in October) to be priced at around 38,000. Supported operating systems are Windows ME, 2000, and XP. In addition to the above listed models, a black version of the PX-708A will be released in October. Also, 12 limited edition models of the PX-708UF will feature front colors such as light blue and orange. These will be sold online only, at the Plextor website. You must place your order between 8/1 and 8/31...the price for these seems to be around 39,000 yen. The PX-708 series supports writing of DVD+R at 8x speed. This is the first drive to support writing at these speeds. Though the "DVD+RW Alliance" has not specifically decided on a standard for 8x DVD+R writing, Plextor has promised that their device will support this standard via firmware update, once it has been decided upon. Though there is currently no DVD+R media specifically supporting 8x writing speed, Plextor has recommended certain 4x DVD+R media that "is supposed to work." The media they recommended was from manufacturers such as Mitsubishi, Ricoh, and Taiyou Yuuden. Due to various unforseeable circumstances, certain media may not operate correctly. In these cases, Plextor recommends dropping recording speed down to 4x. The drive writes DVD+R at 8x, DVD-R at 4x, DVD+RW at 4x, DVD-RW at 2x, CD-R at 40x, and CD-RW at 24x. This is the first Plextor drive supporting DVD-R/RW. The device has a 2mb buffer, and features good stuff like the VariRec laser power regulation software, and a black tray. The included software is "PowerProducer 2" for DVD authoring, "PowerDVD5" for DVD playing, "B's Recorder GOLD Basic" for writing, and finally "B's CLiP" for packet writing. PowerProducer2 supports writing and rewriting of the +VR format, which allows users to edit home videos and add menus, in addition to capturing video directly onto a DVD+R/RW disc from their DV Camera. The included B's Recorder GOLD Basic software also features the ability to create Ver.7 HighMAT CDs, the which is the newest version. Both the ATAPI model and external model can used vertically. The external model has dimensions of 184cm x 265cm x 52mm (W x H x D), and weighs 1.9 kilograms. The external model cannot operate off bus power, so it includes a dedictated AC Adapter. Sources: http://watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20030710/plextor.htm http://www.plextor.co.jp/products/px708/px708.html Interpreter Notes: Well, it was only a matter of time before DVD writing got up to 8x. It's good to see this happening so quickly though. At 34,000 yen (like USD $300?), it's not that bad. But is DVD+R useful at all? I don't know anyone that uses it. I'm sure that DVD-R at 8x is the next logical step. Or, for Plextor, perhaps making some 8x DVD+R media would make it worth your while to go buy a drive. Please don't ask me what the "DVD+RW Alliance" is. I don't know either. +VR? HighMAT? I guess I need to study up on my disc writing vocab. This article is from TechJapan   http://www.techjapan.com/ The URL for this story is:   http://www.techjapan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1