Model PX-712UF External USB/FireWire Drive DVD±R/RW, CD-R/RW DRIVE INSTALLATION AND USERS MANUAL JUNE 2004 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 ©2004 Plextor Corp. First edition, June 2004. 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 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION STATEMENT 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. 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 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 external DVD/CD drive from electrical current, pull out the drive's power cable. PX-712UF Installation and Users Manual iii Bottom View of External Drive, Showing Caution Label Location Detail of PX-712UF Laser Caution Labels iv PX-712UF Installation and Users Manual Table of Contents 1. Getting Started ..............................................................................1 About this Manual...........................................................................1 Meet Your PX-712UF .....................................................................2 What the PX-712UF Does...........................................................2 Features of the PX-712UF...........................................................3 Minimum Configuration to Use the PX-712UF ..........................6 What You Can Do with the PX-712UF.......................................7 About Software ...............................................................................8 Precautions ......................................................................................9 Where to Go From Here..................................................................9 2. Installing the PX-712UF External USB/FireWire Drive..........11 PX-712UF Drive Features and Controls .......................................11 Front Panel--PX-712UF External Drive ..................................11 Rear Panel--PX-712UF External Drive....................................13 What Else Is In the PX-712UF Box ..............................................15 Save Your Box!.........................................................................15 Mount the PX-712UF Drive..........................................................16 Determine Your Computer's Operating System ...........................17 Determine What Interface to Use ..................................................17 Connect the PX-712UF Drive .......................................................18 Record the Serial Number and TLA Code ................................18 Install the Drive in Your Windows Computer...........................18 Identifying Cables and Ports .....................................................20 If You Have Windows 98SE and FireWire ...............................21 If You Have Windows 98SE and USB......................................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-712UF ................................................................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 Discs...........................................................................28 PX-712UF Installation and Users Manual v Table of Contents Mounting Position......................................................................... 29 Playing DVDs ............................................................................... 29 Writing to DVD Media ................................................................. 30 Specifying +R/RW or -R/RW ................................................... 30 Writing to CD-R and CD-RW Media ........................................... 30 Using the Disc/Busy Indicator ...................................................... 31 Switching to SpeedRead for Video Playback ............................... 32 4. Advanced Features and PlexTools Professional....................... 33 Loading PlexTools Professional Software .................................... 33 Using Silent Mode ........................................................................ 34 Turning On Silent Mode ........................................................... 34 Important Facts about Silent Mode ........................................... 36 Using SecuRec.............................................................................. 37 Password-Protecting a Disc with SecuRec................................ 37 Reading a Password-Protected Disc.......................................... 39 Important Facts about SecuRec................................................. 39 Using VariRec............................................................................... 40 How the Default VariRec Setting Is Determined...................... 40 Changing the VariRec Setting................................................... 41 Important Facts about VariRec ................................................. 43 Using GigaRec.............................................................................. 43 Burning a Disc with GigaRec ................................................... 44 How GigaRec Works ................................................................ 45 Important Facts about GigaRec................................................. 45 Testing Your CDs and DVDs ....................................................... 46 Measuring Read Transfer Rate ................................................. 46 Measuring Write Transfer Rate................................................. 49 Measuring Q-Check C1/C2/CU Errors ..................................... 51 Measuring Tracking and Focus Error ....................................... 56 Making Q-Check Jitter/Beta Measurements ............................. 59 Measuring Q-Check PI/PO Errors ............................................ 62 Advantages of Buffer Underrun Proof Technology...................... 64 vi PX-712UF Installation and Users Manual Table of Contents 5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting ............................................65 Cleaning the PX-712UF Drive ......................................................65 Upgrading Firmware .....................................................................66 Emergency Eject ...........................................................................67 Troubleshooting ............................................................................67 Make Sure the Drive Is Recognized ..........................................67 Using the PX-712UF Self-Test Diagnostics..............................69 What You'll Need .....................................................................69 Performing the Self-Test ...........................................................69 What the Self-Test Results Indicate ..........................................70 6. Frequently Asked Questions.......................................................71 Appendix A: PX-712UF Specifications..........................................73 Appendix B: Technical Support.....................................................85 How to Contact Plextor Technical Support...................................86 Before You E-mail/Log On/FAX/Call for Support .......................86 Returns ..........................................................................................87 Contacting Plextor's RMA Department ....................................87 Packing Your Drive...................................................................88 Shipping Your Drive to Plextor.................................................88 Appendix C: Warranty ...................................................................89 If You're Outside the U.S. or Canada ...........................................90 Index.................................................................................................91 PX-712UF Installation and Users Manual vii Table of Contents This page intentionally left blank. viii PX-712UF Installation and Users Manual 1. Getting Started Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing the Plextor® PX-712UF, 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-712UF Installation and Users Manual 1 Section 1. Getting Started Meet Your PX-712UF The PX-712UF is a DVD ReWritable/CD ReWritable drive that provides professional quality DVD and CD performance for writing, rewriting and reading. What the PX-712UF Does For DVDs, the PX-712UF: · Writes DVD+R (recordable DVD, "plus" format) media at up to 12X speed on recommended 8X media. · Writes DVD-R (recordable DVD, "dash" format) media at up to 8X speed. · Writes DVD+RW (rewritable DVD, "plus" format) media at up to 4X speed. · Writes DVD-RW (rewritable DVD, "dash" format) media at up to 4X speed. · Supports DVD+VR and DVD-VR real time editing. · Reads DVD discs at up to 16X (depending on USB or IEEE 1394 host controller). · Reads DVD-Video discs with CSS at up to 2X CLV. · Supports DVD-RW DRT-DM (Distributed Real Time Defect Management) For CDs, the PX-712UF: · Writes to CD-R (recordable CD) media at up to 48X speed. · Writes to CD-RW (rewritable CD) media at up to 24X speed. · Reads all CD-ROM, CD-RW, and CD-R data media at a maximum of 48X 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-712UF Installation an ...