Model PX-708UF External USB/FIREWIRE DVD±R/RW AND CD-R/RW DRIVE INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL AUGUST 2003 Plextor reserves the right to make improvements in the products described in this manual at any time without prior notice. Plextor makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, Plextor Corp. reserves the right to revise this manual and to make changes in its content without obligation to notify any person or organization of such revision or change. This manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not be copied, photocopied, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form without Plextor's prior permission. Manual copyright ©2003 Plextor Corp. First edition, August 2003. Licenses and Trademarks Plextor and the Plextor logo are registered trademarks of Plextor Corp. All other licenses and trademarks are property of their respective owners. Record Your Serial Number For future reference, record the serial number and the TLA code (found on your drive's label) in the space provided below. TLA/Firmware Revision Number DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Model Number: PX-708UF Trade Name: PLEXTOR Responsible Party: PLEXTOR Co., Ltd. Address: 48383 Fremont Blvd, Suite 120, Fremont, CA 94538-6509, USA Telephone Number: 510-440-2000 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION STATEMENT This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment causes harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: · Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. · Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. · Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. · Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS STATEMENT This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada. LASER INFORMATION These products have been designed and manufactured according to IEC 60825-1 on the Safety of Laser products. This product comes under "Class 1 Laser Products." CAUTION: Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure. A Laser Caution Label is attached on the bottom of the external drive model. The label reads: "CAUTION ­ CLASS 3B VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO THE BEAM." Bottom View of External Drive Showing Caution Label Location Detail of Laser Caution Labels The laser beam emitted from the optical pickup is visible and invisible. Accordingly: · Do not open the optical pickup housing. · Obtain service only from Plextor-authorized personnel. CAUTION: To disconnect the DVD/CD drive from an electrical current, pull out the computer's power plug. Table of Contents 1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1 About this Manual ...........................................................................1 Meet Your PX-708UF .....................................................................2 What the PX-708UF Does...........................................................2 Features of the PX-708UF...........................................................3 Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-708UF ..........................5 What You Can Do with the PX-708UF.......................................6 What's In the Box............................................................................6 Save Your Box! ...........................................................................7 PX-708UF Drive Features and Controls..........................................8 Front Panel--PX-708UF External Drive.....................................8 Rear Panel--PX-708UF External Drive....................................10 About Software..............................................................................12 Precautions ....................................................................................13 2. Installing Your PX-708UF External Drive................................15 Determine Your Computer's Operating System............................16 Determine What Interface to Use ..................................................16 Connect the PX-708UF Drive .......................................................17 Record the Serial Number and TLA Code ................................17 Install the Drive in Your Windows Computer...........................17 Identifying Cables and Ports......................................................19 If You Have Windows 98SE and FireWire ...............................19 If You Have Windows 98SE and USB......................................20 Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized ..............................................21 Switching Between USB and IEEE 1394 Interfaces .....................22 If You're Using FireWire ..............................................................22 If You Have a Macintosh ..............................................................23 3. Using Your PX-708UF ................................................................25 What Media to Use........................................................................25 DVD Media ...............................................................................25 CD-ROM Media........................................................................25 Tray Loading and Operation..........................................................27 Handling DVD and CD Media ..................................................27 Cleaning Your DVDs and CDs .................................................28 Mounting Position .........................................................................29 PX-708UF Installation and Users Manual v Table of Contents Playing DVDs ............................................................................... 29 Writing to DVD Media ................................................................. 30 Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media ........................................... 30 Using the Disc/Busy Indicator ...................................................... 31 Disc/Busy Color ........................................................................ 31 Disc/Busy Indicator Blink Rate................................................. 32 Switching Between SpeedRead and Silent Operation................... 32 Advantages of Buffer Underrun Proof Technology ...................... 33 Advantages of VariRec Technology ............................................. 34 How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined ...................... 34 Changing the VariRec Setting................................................... 35 When You Write with VariRec................................................. 35 Advantages of Overburn ............................................................... 35 4. Maintenance and Troubleshooting ............................................ 37 Cleaning the PX-708UF Drive...................................................... 37 Upgrading Firmware ..................................................................... 38 Troubleshooting ............................................................................ 38 Emergency Eject ........................................................................... 39 Using the Self-Test Diagnostics.................................................... 39 What You'll Need ..................................................................... 39 Performing the Self-Test ........................................................... 40 What the Self-Test Results Indicate .......................................... 41 5. Frequently Asked Questions ...................................................... 43 Appendix A: PX-708UF Specifications.......................................... 45 Appendix B: Technical Support .................................................... 59 How to Contact Plextor Technical Support................................... 60 Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call for Support....................... 60 Returns .......................................................................................... 61 Contacting Plextor's RMA Department .................................... 61 Packing Your Drive................................................................... 62 Shipping Your Drive to Plextor ................................................ 62 Appendix C: Warranty................................................................... 63 If You're Outside the U.S. or Canada ........................................... 64 Index................................................................................................. 65 vi PX-708UF Installation and Users Manual 1. Getting Started Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor® PX-708UF, a reliable, high-performance recordable DVD and CD writer, rewriter, and player. We appreciate the confidence you have shown in us. Our goal is to put you--and keep you--on the leading edge of DVD and CD technology. About this Manual Please read this manual carefully and keep it handy for easy reference. Use the manual for installation, operation and troubleshooting. If your drive needs service, see your dealer or call Plextor's Technical Support Department. In this manual you should find all the information you need to successfully install, operate and troubleshoot your drive. If you run into a problem that doesn't seem to be covered, however, please contact us. (See "Appendix B: Technical Support" for the different ways you can reach us.) You will be connected to our friendly, helpful band of tech support engineers. What might seem like an uncooperative drive to you could very well be a 30-second fix to them. But we will never know unless you contact us. PX-708UF Installation and Users Manual 1 Section 1. Getting Started Meet Your PX-708UF The PX-708UF is a DVD ReWritable/CD ReWritable drive that provides professional quality DVD and CD performance for writing, rewriting and reading. What the PX-708UF Does For DVDs, the PX-708UF: · Writes DVD+R (recordable DVD, "plus" format) media at up to 8X speed. · Writes DVD-R (recordable DVD, "minus" format) media at up to 4X speed. · Writes DVD+RW (re-writable DVD, "plus format") media at up to 4X speed. · Writes DVD-RW (re-writable DVD, "minus format") media at up to 2X speed. · Supports DVD+VR real time editing. · Reads DVD discs at up to 12X. · Reads DVD-Video discs at 5X-12X (single layer discs) or 3X-8X (dual layer) discs. · Supports DVD+RW background format. For CDs, the PX-708UF: · Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 40X speed. · Writes to CD-RW (re-writable CD) media at up to 24X speed. · Reads all CD-ROM, CD-RW, and CD-R data media at a maximum of 40X speed. · Reads CD-DA (audio) and CD-R audio media at up to 40X speed. · Reads CD-RW audio media at up to 32X speed. 2 PX-708UF Installation and Users Manual Section 1. Getting Started Features of the PX-708UF · USB 2.0 and FireWire interface: Features both USB 2.0 and FireWire® (IEEE 1394), to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer with either of these high-speed interfaces. Supports both Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (480 megabits per second) and Full-Speed USB 1.1 (12 megabits per second). · PoweRec: Plextor Optimized Writing Error Reduction Control (PoweRec) adjusts laser power and writing speed so they're at the optimum settings for that particular disc. (For example, when you're writing a DVD, PoweRe ...