35 replies to this topic

[DM69]

So, In conclussion, what is the best choice ? LDW-811S or PX-708A ?
especially to pass a safedics 2.9 :devil:

[Turak]

In my opinion, from all the testing I have done, I would say the Lite-On LDW-811S.

But, as you can see, others seem to really like the Plextor 708a. However, my testing indicated that a 'true' Plextor 708a with the most recent firmware simply could not write the EFM patterns correctly. Also the history of the Plextor drives shows that they have NEVER been very good at writing EFM patterns. The only Plextor that may handle the EFM patterns correctly may be a Plextor Premium, which I have not had the opportunity to test, but others are indicating works very well. Pretty sure its only a CD-RW drive though.

Again, BOTH the Lite-On LDW-811S and the Plextor 708A are very good DVD burners, but my testing shows that the Lite-On drives can handle the Safedisc type CD protections, MUCH better than the Plextor drives.

Maybe looking at the price will help you a little. In the US, the Lite-On LDW-811s goes for about $150 and the Plextor 708a goes for about $200. Both drives have the same capabilities as far as writing/reading speeds for the various types of media.

I have had NO trouble what so ever backing up my Safedisc v2.9 protected CD's with the Lite-On unit. Keeping in mind that you have to play them using a regular CDRom drive or have some software installed that has the function 'hide CDR'.

Edited by Turak, 04 December 2003 - 08:21 PM.

[AngryGuy]

BUT...  IT IS NOT possible for a TRUE Plextor 708a using Plextor firmware v1.01 or v1.03 to write ANY of the EFM test files correctly.  It will seem to write them, but you will not be able to read them using a KNOWN 2/3 sheep CDROM/Burner.  Meaning that it can not write ANY of the patterns correctly.  It can however READ them at a 2-sheep level.

Turak,

Are you suggesting that the 1.02 Plextor PX-708A firmware possibly allows correct EFM writing? If so, is it possible to revert back to 1.02? I have all of the firmware updates saved (1.01, 1.02, and 1.03). Could there possibly be differences between the Plextor Europe and Plextor US firmware updates?

[Turak]

Sorry, no. I did not mean to give the impression that older versions of the firmware might allow correct EFM encoding.

I tested a 'true' Plextor 708a with v1.01 and v1.03 of the firmware. Neither one of them could handle WRITING ANY of the Safedisc type 'weak' sectors RELIABLY. It was able to READ them correctly, but it was unable to write them correctly.

I am not sure whether this is a problem that can be corrected via firmware or not. How good a burner can handle the EFM encoding is very much a function of the internal chipset used. Offhand, I am not sure what chipset is in the new Plextor.

Another small problem is that Plextor has publicly indicated that they do not and will not support any type of reading/writing that falls outside of Orange Book standards. Well, guess what.... overburning, reproducing weak sectors, etc. ALL are outside of the Orange Book standards.

So, I wouldn't hold my breath........

Edited by Turak, 11 December 2003 - 02:08 AM.

[Thorz]

As I have ordered a LiteOn LDW-811S (thanks to Turak for the great testing work) I would like to ask something:

I have a Pioneer DVD reader that is RPC-1 unlocked, how do you all set your DVD-RW drives region? Do you unlock the DVD-RWs or you just leave them locked to a region? Or you don't play any region discs in them so they remain open? I used to do the last one for my las Pioneer DVD-RW, but I am not sure if setting a region to the drive brings some kind of advantages in compatibility (my Pioneer was very problematic with some media).

Thanks a lot.

[Turak]

Almost all home-made DVD's (DVD-R's, DVD+R's, DVD-RW's, and DVD+RW's) are technically region 0 (all regions). Obviously store bought (i.e. pressed DVD's) almost always have a region code set.

The fact that you set the DVD player to a certain region, technically has nothing to do with 'burned' DVD's, which are always set to region 0 unless you are using some software that actually sets the region code or allows setting the region code (i.e. some video editing software).

When I put my new DVD Burner in, I went ahead and set it to region 1 (US). Partially because I also play movies in it, partially because some software will refuse to work unless the region code is set in the Burner. I simply had to put in a region protected DVD (i.e. a movie) and set the region via Windows hardware properties.

Most devices nowadays are RPC 2 which allows setting the region code 5 times before it is locked permenantly. Some devices (i.e.. mostly home DVD players) have various methods that allow you to make them 'region free', but I have not seen this with the burners themselves.

[Thorz]

Turak (or another helpful member): Do you know if the LDW-811S works ok with Nero 5.5.10.54? I could not find it in the compatibility list and I don't like the 6 version because is bloateware!
I am just waiting for the day that Alcohol offers Mastering for just digging Nero once and for all.

Thanks.

[Turak]

Thorz....

Yes its works just fine with that version of Nero.

[Thorz]

Thorz....

Yes its works just fine with that version of Nero.

Hi all

I have had the LDW-811S for some days allready and these are my impressions:

- Liteon has a new model that apears to have better seek times, the 851S I think, go and visit Liteons page. (#@%$!!!!! right after I have just bought this drive! ).
- The drive has slow seeking times, specially when you introduce a blank media. I think this is a problem of many writers oit there.
- I have had no problem with DVD+R discs (Rocoh) but it has been a nightmare for the DVD-R ones that I have available. I have to find yet a mark that suits this drive because I have tried with Fortis (that were working of woth my old Pioneer) are just producing coastes in Nero.
- You cannot use the drive with Stomp RecordNowMax. Well, I guess that this trusty program has started to show its age now. The problem is that it doesn't recognise the features of the drive like burnproof and that.
- It has not problems at all with Alcohol, have not tried yet the sheep tests or to copy a SD3 or 2.9 game.

I have 3 questions:

What other mastering app besides Nero do you recommend? I am very used to Nero but am prepared to test something else.

What media marks do you recommend me for this drive? I need something that is not going to brake my bank please.

Is it true that Alcohol developers will include mastering support in a later release? This would be the killer app!

Thanks.

Edited by Thorz, 21 December 2003 - 04:44 PM.

[zim2323]

I've got a Plextor708A and a 24x Plextor burner. I've used both to image and record CoD, EA Sports 2004 games, etc. I've touched just about every modern protection out there in one way or another. I have yet to have a problem burning of the protections that these so-called tests fail on.

Read and installed burned images on 98 and XP machines with no burning or Alcohol software installed. I've basically heard that Plextor's can't do what I've been doing with them for about the last 2-3 years. Lan Party after Lan Pary I go to, I hear guys talking about how "bad" the Plextor's are. Blah, blah, blah.

Maybe I'm just lucky. I for one am glad I am. I'm beginning to think these "sheep tests" are about as useful as 3DMark. If there's NO WAY POSSIBLE, then way am I able to???

ZIMMAY! :whip:

[Tron]

Thorz make sure you keep that firmware up to date. I hear they are offering new ones almost daily! Might make the drive work better for you.........

[Thorz]

Thorz make sure you keep that firmware up to date. I hear they are offering new ones almost daily! Might make the drive work better for you.........

I have updated, and the results are not good. I have yet to find good media for this drie here in Norway

[Tron]

Maybe a bad drive? Might want to try a return. Everything I read on this drive was good. I have seen some people say that their drive will burn any media they throw at it. I will be getting my Liteon DVD burner tomorrow I hope. When I get it installed I will do some tests too.....

[DianaGavin]

Just wanted to add a few things. I have the following drives.

Samsung SM332B
Yamaha CRW-F1
Lite-On LDW-411s
Plextor PX-708A

I have backed up Call of Duty using my Samsung, and run it froma virtual drive, I have even installed the game from the virtual drive. Flawless operation gentlemen. So just to clarify CoD doesn't blacklist Alcohol. Check your imaging technique and reimage. I have also imaged Ravenshield using the Lite-On and intsalled from the image and it works too. I haven't burnt any of the images, cuz i own all my games and havent found a need to , so i cant really comment on the burning capabilities of my drives. Other games i have successfully imaged are the MoHAA series ( all of them) and installed from them and Homeworld2.

Regards,
Diana :stup:

[Jito463]

Well, it doesn't now with the current release, but the previous release was blacklisted.

[DianaGavin]

Umm i am not sure what you mean. As far A si know there hasnt been a CoD patch, its still at 1.1. I have been able to play it with the old Alcohol verison and the current one. hope this clears things up.
Diana