Plextor?

Subject: Plextor?
From: GUEST,Ken
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 03:08 PM

Does anyone know an external C D writer that works with a Fostex VF16 recorder? I Can't afford the Plextor that they recommend. Failing that has anyone got a Plextor PX-W1210TSE cheap?

Subject: RE: Plextor?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 06:07 PM

You would run the sound from the Fostex through a soundcard into the computer where the music would be converted to digital files before being burned to the CD. Some programs say you can burn the CD directly but I have never had the nerve to try that. We put the music on the hard drive, split the tracks, and then burn the CD. I don't think compatability of the CD burner and the recorder are quite as important as having a good sound card, we use an Audiophile card, which would have input jacks to connect to the recorder and make the conversion. The Plextor is reliable and fast and has a burnproof technology which rarely fails to give you a good burn. We have a Plextor 16X at work. At home I have 4X burner made by someone else and get good results most of the time, but probably waste 10 to 15% of the CDs.

Subject: RE: Plextor?
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 30 Jan 02 - 10:37 PM

Didn't notice that was your answer, Arkie! I thought that sounded a lot like my situation. No wonder.

Ken, I would certainly recommend spending what it takes to get the Plextor. I don't think you will be sorry. It will certainly lower your frustration level, not to mention saving a bit of money on CDs that make poor drink coasters.

I think of several hundred I have done, two have failed, but with the burnproof the CD was not damaged.

At home I have a 12X HP that is not NEARLY so reliable as the Plextor. I think Arkie's estimation of loss rate is a little less for me, but still a significant percentage. Also there is the occasional copy which though it plays in most players, is less than perfect. I have NEVER noticed this with CDs made on the Plextor.

Subject: RE: Plextor?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 10:14 AM

In my area there are regular computer shows where vendors sell stuff for less than retail...usually. I suspect it's things that aren't moving well. I got a Plextor for a bit over half the recommended retail. A 16/10/40A. Sometimes there are good deals on ebay, too.

Subject: RE: Plextor?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 10:31 AM

Ken,

A quick check showed the Plextor PX-W1210TSE selling for about $2800. Ouch!

You are paying a very high premium for two reasons. The drive is external and standalone. The drive is SCSI.

I noticed that your recorder has spdif i/o.

Think about this...

Go to your favorite local store that sells computers, (e.g., Circuit City, CompUSA, Walmart, Best Buy,whatever). Buy the cheapest PC they've got without a sound card or CD burner OR simply the cheapest PC they've got with room for a sound card and CD burner. Add/Replace the sound card with a card with spdif I/O (e.g., SoundBlaster Audigy). Add/Replace the CD Burner with a state of the art internal one (e.g., Plextor).

My guess is for well less than $1000 (way less than half the price of the external Plextor) you will have a device with all the functionality of the external Plextor AND all the extra functionality of a PC.