Plextor PX-760A Dual Layer DVDRW Writer (18x/8x/16x DVD+RW, 18x/6x/16x DVD-RW, 10x DVD+R DL, 6x DVD+R DL, 48x/24x/48x CD-RW)

Reviewed by: esplanade

Duration of ownership: 1 Month

Strengths: Excellent writing capability on dual layer DVD-r's.

Weaknesses: When working on an "open disc" project, the drive has a problem formatting anything but Taiyo Yuden media. I've tried reformatting my hard drive with various disc writing software, and several firmware upgrades (including the latest 1.05) with the same result. If (for example) you try to format a Verbatim single layer DVD, the drive starts to format, then displays an error message that the disc is unreadable, damaged, and unrecoverable. I am using Windows XP fully updated. I have googled the problem regarding this drive, and have come up with hundreds of threads complaining about this issue. Perhaps in trying to achieve high speed writing, Plextor has disregarded media compatability. This drive clearly has some issues. Google it for yourself, and you'll agree.

Overall: Excellent with DVD backup projects. Poor in formatting "open disc" projects on many brands of DVD media.

Reviewed by: deantre

Duration of ownership: 16 Months

Strengths: worked well when it worked, the extra bells and whistles look great but did not add to it's reliability

Weaknesses: failed after a year and a half, any other drive would have done as well at half the price

Overall: I have had a Plextor 716A and a Plextor Premium CDR with the 716A failing in 16 months. No warranty cover or replacement discount was offered. I subsequently noticed a large number of postings on failed 716's with no coverage. Will I buy another Plextor drive, Would You? why pay extra for the same hardware and reliability. Got me once, won't do it again. Sony here I come.

Reviewed by: PHILCHAMBORD

Strengths: Fast, quiet and the software is excellent.

Weaknesses: Failure rate is high. Mine died 13 months and 1 week after purchase. Warranty is 1 year.

Overall: Based on the high praise of the reviews, I ignored the reports of failures posted september 2006. Mistake. The drive is a quality drive and the software bundled with it has features not found elsewhere. However the drive will fail. Keep your receipts.

Reviewed by: No_Iceberg

Strengths: Awesome copies on sible and dual layer discs.

Weaknesses: None that I have encountered.

Overall: I have owned several other drives made by Plextor. The PX-760A gives you professional quality, from start to finish. And, when coupled with Verbatim media, it simply cannot be beat. Since it will be several years before Blu-Ray or HD have more appeal, it's a safe bet that this is an excellent choice for your present disc burning needs, with the promise of disc compatability for Blu-ray/HD players.

Reviewed by: hflouie

Strengths: 48x read cd, 16x read dvd. Very good error correction.

Weaknesses: Price even with rebate is still higher than other brands.

Overall: Very good error correction on both CD's and DVD's. The firmware upgrade is very good and easy. You can go backward or forward with the revision numbers if the latest does not work. Very good writing quality with most media. Comes with black and included beige cover. Comes with Plextools which provides diagnostic tests on blank and recorded media and Roxio. Has media check of the quality of blank media. Installation was plug and play with Windows XP.

Reviewed by: joe7493

Strengths: Fast write speeds, quiet, AutoSreategy, PoweRec, Easy installation and use

Weaknesses: None

Overall: I replaced a Plextor PX-716A that failed after 2 years of use. The PX-760A is quieter and noticeably faster when burning both DVD + R and DVD + R DL media than the PX-716A. The drive is very easy to install and use. Features like AutoStrategy and PoweRec are a big plus for this drive. AutoStrategy will develop a write strategy for unknown media with questionable quality. PoweRec will adjust laser power and writing speed to be at the best setting for the disc being burned. This drive is more expensive then the rest of the competition. But, when you consider the faster burning speeds, all of the features that this drive comes with, and a $30 rebate offered from Plextor, you realize that you are getting an exceptional drive at a very competitive price.

Reviewed by: ywchang

Strengths: Fast burning, Autostrategy, plextor tools.

Weaknesses: Over priced compared to the rest of the competition. No DVD-RAM support.

Overall: It has top of the line CD and DVD error correction ability and many exclusive features that other brands cannot offer. However, it also costs more than twice than the rest of the competition.