1 Topic by xenogears (edited by xenogears 2008-01-25 11:24:30)

  • From: Italy
  • Registered: 2007-10-16
  • Posts: 192

Hello everyone!
Perhaps I'll be able to contribute with another 100+ discs with audio tracks, I could acquire a burner compatible with Perfectrip!
I have the possibility to buy a new CD recorder but I need advice:

what model should I buy? I want to be sure that Perfectrip is supported with 100b subchannel reading (so it has to be original plextor, not rebranded) and possibly the D8 command must be supported (but this is secondary)

1)  Plextor PX-W4824TA (accuraterip drive offset is +98)

2)  Plextor PX-W5224TA (accuraterip drive offset is +30)

I know that PX-W5224TA is the next model in the line wtr of PX-W4824TA but I fear that it might be rebranded.
Furthermore there could be some hidden advantage of the PX-W4824TA (? I am really a newbie regarding CD recorders tech stuff)
Anyone can help? (vigi?)

  • Jackal
  • Moderator (Retired)
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  • Registered: 2006-12-23
  • Posts: 4,130

Hi.. I'm not sure.. I don't think there's any difference between them except the speed.. just get the one that's the cheapest of the two.. have you tried looking on the plextor site to see if there are any firmware updates for these drives?

If you check this topic: http://forum.redump.org/viewtopic.php?pid=4207#p4207 you will see that gigadeath has a PX-W4824A that does support everything. I'm not sure how it is different from the Plextor PX-W4824TA and what the T stands for.

  • From: Italy
  • Registered: 2007-10-16
  • Posts: 192

Thanks for the support!
The price is identical, so I'd buy the most modern.

here's the firmware upgrades:

http://www.plextor-europe.com/technical … -Recorders
This is the page of the PX-W5224TA; last version 1.04  --> Improvement:
Writing quality on TDK CD-R media

http://www.plextor-europe.com/technical … -Recorders
This is the page of the PX-W4824TA; last version 1.07  --> Improvement:
Writing quality on TDK CD-R media

the last improvement is the same, so apart from the speed it seems that the two are identical.
Any comment about the different drive offset?
Are you sure that the PX-W5224TA is not rebranded?

4 Reply by gigadeath (edited by gigadeath 2008-01-25 12:27:13)

  • Registered: 2007-09-11
  • Posts: 402

Yes they should be the same apart speed. Even the last firmware is the same (I upgraded it instantly).

This site list them both as having the same features (even if firmwares weren't updated)

http://www.daefeatures.co.uk/search.php

  • From: Italy
  • Registered: 2007-10-16
  • Posts: 192

I made further researches and a sideby side comparison with the pages at plextor site

http://www.plextor-europe.com/products/ … 052/24/52A

http://www.plextor-europe.com/products/ … 048/24/48A

1) the model px-4824a has a buffer size of 4MB (is it useful for our purpose?)
    the model px-5224a has a buffer size of 2MB (is it useful for our purpose?)

2) the model px-4824a has a overburning capability of 94.55 minutes (useless)
    the model px-5224a has a overburning capability of 99.59 minutes (useless)

3) the model px-4824a has BURN-Proof Technology (Buffer Under Run Proof)
    the model px-5224a has Buffer Underrun Proof Technology (Buffer Under Run Proof)
    Is it the same?

Apart from these 3 differences (and of course read speed) the drives are absolutely identical in everything.
Seeing the buffer size and the fact that a trusted dumper confirms the compatibility with D8 command I'll choose the px-4824a.
Maybe a stupid question: is it compatible with 100b subchannel reading? (ie, is it fully "Perfectrip compatible"?)
I'll contact the seller in a few hours, please vigi, let me know if you find out something odd about these burners!
Thanks again

  • From: Italy
  • Registered: 2007-10-16
  • Posts: 192

gigadeath wrote:

Yes they should be the same apart speed. Even the last firmware is the same (I upgraded it instantly).

This site list them both as having the same features (even if firmwares weren't updated)

http://www.daefeatures.co.uk/search.php

Thanks!! smile

Did you try with Perfectrip? Can you obtain the same results as Isobuster + EAC? Even with PC Engine, Mega CD, Saturn?
Is the 100b subchannel reading supported?

Thanks in advance!

  • Registered: 2007-09-11
  • Posts: 402

I had no problem with the 4824 with either PerfectRip or D8 command, it supports 100b.

The only thing I can't judge about is the great buffer size, I don't know if it makes a difference.

Another thing you should look after for these out of production drives is state of conservation. When I bought mine it was 5 years old (it still had firmware 1.00!), and it was idle since years in the wild, I had to do a partial cleaning.

So if features are the same, choose the better conserved drive, and if both are boxed brand new, either is good.