Suggestions and feedback for Plextor

PX-760 FW 1.04 and likely PX-755 FW 1.05

CMC Magnetics -R 16x (CMC MAG AM3) is saved in the Autostrategy Database as "CMC MAG." only. Since the "CMC MAG" part is universal to CMC media the missing extension (for ex.: AM3, AE1, ...) is important for identifying the strategy.

PlexToolsPro XL 3.10 + PX-760 FW 1.04 (and likely PX-755 FW 1.05)

Beta/Jitter-Scan on DL discs still fails at the layer break with "031105 MEDIUM ERROR: L-EC UNCORRECTABLE ERROR"

also see: http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=53

Edit: Same disc scans fine in PX-716a FW 1.09 with PTPXL 3.10.

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Last edited by hwp; 12-08-2006 at 17:47.

Using PTP 2.35 with a 760A FW 1.04 results in a 100% CPU usage when doing a Q-Check FE/TE.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Thats not just for CMD MAG. Thats an issue with any MID containing empty spaces.

IIRC FE/TE always used a decent amount of CPU time (i have no idea why).

This thread is not for discussion but for reporting. But we already have a running discussion on CPU usage. You're welcome to join: Http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=189400

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Last edited by crossg; 13-08-2006 at 17:36. Reason: Typo

Coming back to this issue it seems that the 755/760 have some problems with reading DL discs at slow (2x) speeds, especially at or around the position of the layer break. From my observations it seems that the problem is more or less 'guaranteed' when the disc was written @10x (8x) speed, whereas writing at slower speed (<6x) has a big chance of being scanned without problems.

Example: The disc shown here http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...1&postcount=60
fails to read at a layer break when doing a B/J scan (@2x) in the 760. It also fails in the 755 (see attached scan). However the same disc read back fine @3-8x CAV in the 716/755 and (with a bit reluctant medium recognition) in the 760. See the readback graph for the 755/760 attached. In contrast this media http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...2&postcount=63, that was burned @6x scanned just fine.

So - setting a FW/Plextools bug aside - (IMHO) on the 755/760 one of the following seems true:
1a) The current 10x(8x) writing strategy can produce a bad (unreadable) or at least problematic result around the layer break,
1b) The 10x(8x) writing strategy produces a good but incompatible result around the layer break, or the layer break is somehow executed poorly,
2) The 755/760 have a readback/compatibility problem (at slow speed) at the layer break position.

Again i'd like to stress the point that every one of the discs whose scan caused a problem in the 755/760 did scan fine in a 712 or 716.

This issue goes hand in hand with my earlier request that 10x and 8x DL writing should be improved (also point 1a above). I can accept that 10x (overspeed) on current 8x media will produce mediocre results. However the 8x results on 8x Verbatim (and from what i have seen also 8x Ricoh) is definitely sub-par. It's nice to see the -R DL support for many 8x media but IMHO +R DL has been neglected. Please take note that -R DL 8x has so far no maket presence (Central Europe) while +R DL 8x is readily avalable! Also you're limiting -R DL to 6x and i guess the people out there would definitely like to have a working 8x quality solution. So please provide better support for +R 8x DL media!

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Last edited by hwp; 13-08-2006 at 11:46.

PX-755 FW 1.05; PX-760 FW 1.04; PTPXL 3.10

1) These new firmwares cause a 'jagged' writing graph for DVD-writing. Examples before http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=49 and now http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...9&postcount=50
2) Q-Check testing on CDs causes a an extended delay at the beginning of the operation when PTP(XL) does "scanning tracks ...". This seems specifically to be the case with DATA CDs. The drive can be heard during that time trying to position the pickup (oscillating between two positions).
3) PTPXL needs an MAJOR overhaul on how it displays Q-Check results and other graphs:
3a) Get rid of that graduated background since it blows up the file-size of saved scans (PNG-size triples!) or at least give us the option to select a plain background.
3b) Adopt the main- and sub-grid for Q-Check displays and other drawing properties from PTP. Sorry to say so but the grid drawing of PTPXL just plain SUCKS. We need:
3ba) a visually distinguishable main- and sub-grid for both value/position axis each
3bb) LOGICAL labelling of each axis, i.e. values that have actually something to do with optical media and the fuction involved, so no 0,5 steps in PIE graphs, because there are no halve PIE values; so no three ticks beween two lines in a grid for CDs spaced with 5 minute lines (1.2 minutes increments? doh!); so no speed labels in the read transfer test that are based on a basis of 10, while drives have speeds mostly on a basis of 2, i.e. why draw a line @50 when no drive does speeds of 50 but 52?
3bc) The introduction of logarithmic display is welcomed but unless you label the ticks (or at least label the maximum of the graph displayed) one can not even guess at the actual value that is displayed beyond the value 10 line.

PTPXL, PX-TV402U

1) PTPXL seems to have a serious bug with the handlings of TV-Channels with the PX-TV402U.
2) There is a problem with Plug-and-play and proper display of devices in the device window.

You'll find more info on the above two issues here: http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=187826

Plextor Web-Page

Some weeks ago a database for supported media per drive was installed. In the same move all the old lists where taken offline. The current DB only features recent drives and none of the 'generations' ones. Could we pretty please with sugar on top get the lists for the generatiosn drives integrated in the DB or the old lists back in the meantime? I'm also missing the data for the now available Premium2. Thanks.

Add DVD-RAM support. The Sanyo chipset supports it. It's just a matter of firmware.

Regarding ConvertX TV402U: The driver seems to need being looked after. This is what I ALWAYS get for the PTS if I use DVD Validator:

----------8<----------
Begin Program Streams Summary:
Missing Progam End Code...
File "I:\02 Filme\TV\20060926_10h30m_Report_Mainz_TVrbb Berlin_MPEG2_6000KBit.mpg" is a MPEG-2 Program Stream
MPEG file size 2556.87 MB
MPEG Packs = 1309118
Sectors delay = 0.0 ms
System headers = 6000
Rate Bound = 10080000 bps -> 9843 Kbps
Video Bound = 1 active video streams
Audio Bound = 1 active audio streams
Variable Bitrate Operation (System MPEG-2 VBR)
Video Picture Rate is locked to SCR
Audio Sampling Rate is locked to SCR
MPEG Pack Size = 2048
Packets per Pack = 1
Program Mux Rate = 9843 Kbps
*PTS underflow (Mux Error)...!!
DTS underflow (Mux Error)...!!
Total PES packets = 1471085
PES Packet Lenght Max. = 2028
Number of Video Streams: 1
Number of Audio Streams: 1
Padding Stream, packets = 155967, Total = 202439 KB
Private Stream 2, packets = 12000, Total = 11707 KB
MPEG Audio stream, ID: C0
PES packets = 149991,
Total = 97.07 MB
Video stream, ID: E0
PES packets = 1153127,
Total = 2221.08 MB
End Program Streams Summary.


Begin Video Streams Summary:
*Sequence_end_code NOT FOUND, in Stream E0!!
Video Delay Stream E0 = 360.0 ms
Number of Frames = 89993 -> 3599.72 Sec
Number of Sequence Headers = 6000
Sequence Headers Aligned = Yes
Horizontal Size = 720
Vertical Size = 576
Aspect Ratio = 4:3
Frame Rate = 25 fps
P-STD Buffer Size Bound = 0 KB (From System Header)
VBV Buffer Size = 112 -> (224 KB)
Stream Type = MPEG-2 MP@ML VBR
Chroma Format = 4:2:0
Picture Structure = Frame
Intra DC Precision = 8
*Top Field First = No
*DCT Type = Frame
Quant. Scale = Linear
Scan Type = Alternate
Frame Type = Interlaced
Number of GOPs = 6000
*First GOP Closed = No
Number of Closed GOP = 0
Max. frames per GOP (without first & last) = 15
Min. frames per GOP (without first & last) = 15
Avg. frames per GOP (Total) = 15.00
Max. Frame Size = 198878
Min. Frame Size = 342
Average Frame Size = 25879
Frames I = 6000 -> 6%
Avg. Frame I Size = 379 KB
Frames I Total Size = 359518554 bytes, size 15%
Frames P = 23998 -> 26%
Avg. Frame P Size = 94 KB
Frames P Total Size = 897282503 bytes, size 38%
Frames B = 59996 -> 66%
Avg. Frame B Size = 37 KB
Frames B Total Size = 1072139205 bytes, size 46%
Nominal bitrate (Sequence Header) = 9000000 bps -> 8789 Kbps
Average Bitrate = 5054 Kbps
Peak Bitrate (1 sec) = 8790 Kbps
End Video Streams Summary.


Begin Audio Streams Summary:
Elementary Stream C0 is a MPEG Audio Stream
Audio Delay Stream C0 = 264.0 ms
Audio decoded bytes = 691158528 -> 3599.78 Sec
P-STD Buffer Size Bound = 0 KB (From System Header)
Found 0 sync words
Audio Sync Losses: 0
Layer = 2
bitrate = 224 Kbps
Frequency = 48000 Hz
Error protection = Enabled
Private flag = 0
Mode = stereo
Copyright flag = 0
Original flag = 0
Emphasis = none
Left Channel DC Level = -100.0 dBFS
Right Channel DC Level = -100.0 dBFS
Left Channel Peak Level = -5.2 dBFS
Right Channel Peak Level = -8.6 dBFS
*Left Channel RMS Level = -27.9 dB
*Right Channel RMS Level = -26.1 dB
*Difference Left-Right RMS Level = 1.8 dB
End Audio Streams Summary.

Video Stream Duration: 3599.72 sec -> 3599:18 (secs:frames)

Duration Difference from Video to Audio = -64 msec
Initial Delay Audio to Video (PTS based) = -96 msec

Processing time: 00:04:47

Result:
Compliance Test: Fail!!

End.
-----------8<----------

The driver should detect asynchronous streams if commercials or the like interrupt the programme.

This is also true with the Premium 2, FW 1.01, where the seeking noise is quite audible. I confirm it's a DATA CD problem. Audio CDs are not affected by this.

PTPXL 3.10 and Premium2 FW 1.01

When AMQR is selected in the GigaRec tab, the "AudioCD Maker" only offers a selectable writing speed of 4x, whereas in the "Write Transfer Rate Test" offers 4x and 2x.

To put it very short: please fix Plextools pro or the PX760SA? I've tried twice to create a new write strategy for TDK's 16x DVD-R disks which appears to work.

However, when I write the DVD, I get a lot of buffer underruns. If I use any other disk, even TDK's 16x DVD+R, no buffer underruns or anything.

Wanting to see if it was really buffer underruns, I disabled the buffer underrun protection and tried to burn, using forced strategy as always. The attached image shows when the writer locked up. After 10 minuttes, I used task mamager to kill Plextools pro. I still can't eject the disk or anything, the drive is simply locked up.

I'm running with the latest firmware in my PX760SA, it is connected to my Intel 82801B controllers (on-board controllers on my Asus P4P800-E). The 2 other S-ATA devices are my Seagate 160 GB HDs with 8 MB cache. I'm running Windows XP pro. with all updated from Windows Update.

Now that I have had a chance to shut down my computer (cold reboot), I'm able to open the drive etc.

The media code for the TDK 16x DVD-R is TTH02.

PS: My LG 4163BB is able to burn the same disks without any problems.

PTPXL 3.10

After inserting a new medium in the Drive Settings / GigaRec Tab the "Enable GigaRec" checkbox is checked, but GigaRec/AMQR is not enabled (GigaRec scale stays grayed out), i.e. in "Disc Maker" AMQR and GigaRec indicators are "OFF".

Apparently the automatic reset to disabled function with each change of media is broken, respectively it's visual display in PTPXL. (But works fine with VariRec settings.)

Addendum 2: Multisession DATA-CDs are not affected.

PTPXL 3.10 excessive CPU usage

A C1/C2 scan continously builds up more and more CPU-usage until it ends, as shown in the screenshot below. A Beta/Jitter scan of a CD does not show the same behaviour.

I can confirm this.

Again a video capture issue along with PTPXL. Go to the basic capture settings and select "Video quality ...". As soon as you try to move the brightness slider with the keyboard, it will be set to its minimum value leaving a dark image only.

Moreover, there is no option to save the settings. This is a hazzle because the standard values are not the ones that I see after a clean installation, i.e. there has been an adjustment, of which first I don't know the reason and secondly which I can't save in order to compare different settings. And as there are no figures for the values ... I've tried to find these values in the registry but to no avail. So, a restoration seems to be impossible.

The third thing: Video preview and actual recording differ extremely as far as brightness and contrast are concerned. Why?

Premium and Premium 2

Reading audio disks with Prolific 3507 chipset is limited: http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...8&postcount=63

The writing quality of 760 1.04 on Mitsubishi US+ CD-RW is extremely bad and produces unreadable discs. Please work on that writing strategy.

It looks like this. It was a burn done on a previously fully erased disc. My old Premium does this disc quite well. 760 fails completely.

I can confirm this. It's been like this since FW 1.03. Strangely enough it works in th PX-755:

See: http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.ph...5&postcount=96

PTPXL 3.10

Using the "Write Transfer Rate Test" to create a disk results in a failure (hang-up after writing the lead-in or shortly thereafter) when applying this function to create a CD in an externally connected drive (Premium, Premium2, possibly others too, Prolific 3507 chipset, USB connection used).

CD-RWs that 'fail' to write like this afterwards are unrecongnizable by the drive (drive just spins and never get's ready, (at least up to now i didn't have the nerve to wait for more than 2 Minutes)).

When I go through the topics about the 755A & 760A, I haven't seen one single message that says anything good about the drives writting on ReWritable medias?!

Personally I have written a lot about my own problems in this topic:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=195087

I have lots of Verbatim DVD+RW 4xspeed medias (MKM A02). And most times, my 755A drive is writing very bad on them, and many times makes them unusable (can't be read in any of my drives after the 755A has written on them)

The +RW Verbatim media works sooooo... smooth in my good old 708A burner, where practically everything works and can be burned. My 755A writes very good on Verbatim CD-R and Verbatim DVD+-R medias. But RW medias is a BIG problem.

I was starting to think of a general hardware problem with the 755A & 760A, something which can't be fixed in firmware, is this true. Cause then we have a huge returning exchange drive problem going on to something that works.

But can this be fixed in firmware, and are Plextor working on anything. I've send mails to Plextor, but didn't get anything reply back from them. I would say very bad support!

What happend to the good old Plextor SCSI 4 speed days. Are they ever coming back again?

Moef