UDF

UDF (Universal Disc Format) offers the possibility of using a blank rewritable CD to simulate a hard drive. Data can be burned gradually by dragging and dropping it onto the CD in Windows Explorer. However, the blank CD must first be formatted with the appropriate software (here Pack CD 3.02). Formatting time is shown by the red bar and burning speed by the blue bar.

The PleXWriter also gets the highest score here. When looking at the ratio of advertised speed to speed actual speed, the PleXWriter (at 78.5%) takes second place behind the Mitsumi CR-4805TE's 80.5%, and just ahead of the LG CED-8420B\s 77.1%. But in terms of real speed, no other drive can touch it.

Manual & Bundle

Its external appearance resemples an old 08 15 drive, but the BURN Proof technology inside puts it above all other contenders. It is revolutionary in that it enables you to continue working on your PC while a CD is burning. 

There is nothing to complain about in regard to the burner’s accessories. Besides the usual bundle, Plextor has included backup software and an MP3 player. But the thing that most surprised us was a tiny thing: the inclusion of an emergency-opening pin! This can be used to open the disc tray either if the drive is turned off or in case of an enmergency. While other manufacturers assume everyone has at least one paper clip handy to unbend and use for this purpose, Plextor has left nothing up to chance. 

Also impressive is the bundled PleXTool software, which makes it possible to implement almost all of the PleXWriter’s functions. CDs can ber burned or played, digital audio extraced, and much more. 

Furthermore, PleXTool allows you to anable “linear rate process,” which causes the transfer rate to remain at a constant linear progression from the rotation rate. For the drive to utilize its full 32x read speed, you have to set it to 14-32 CAV (as in the picture). 
The printed manual is multilingual and provides detailed installation instructions. It also has a troubleshooting guide and a hotline number. (Calling it might be a little expensive, however as the office is in Belgium.)

For actual burning, one has to trust in the assistance from the bundled WinOnCD or PacketCD’s help files. There is no software assistance in the manual.