It’s been a while since we’ve taken a look at an optical drive and we decided to get back into it with one of Plextor’s newest CD-RW drives. The drive holding this distinction is none other than the PleXWriter Premium 52x32x52. That translates into 52x speed for read and writes while rewrite speed is rated at 32x. The drive makes use of the IDE interface which we have to say was a bit of a let down as we were expecting a drive carrying a ‘Premium’ name to make use of the more exotic and performance orientated SCSI interface.

• 52X write
• 32X rewrite
• 52X read through SpeedRead function
• ATAPI Interface (PIO Mode 4, Multiword DMA Mode 2, UDMA/33 Mode 2)
• GigaRec Technology
• SecuRec Technology
• Silent Mode
• Q-Check
• Buffer Underrun Proof Technology
• PoweRec Technology (Plextor Optimised Writing Error Reduction Control)
• VariRec Technology (Variable Recording)
• Access Time <65 ms
• 8MB Buffer
• Mount Rainier Ready
• Capable of reading and writing CD TEXT information
• Compatible with:
  o Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP
• MultiRead Compatible
• Supports SPDIF (Digital Audio Output)
• High Quality Digital Audio Extraction
• A black tray, to reduce the jitter and to increase the quality of the burned CD
• An optimised PCB circuit to reduce noise to get a higher quality of CD
• Two year* full-warranty (parts, labor and replacement) with On-Site Collect & Return** service
• Writes CD-ROM Modes 1 and 2, CD-XA Form 1 and 2, CD-DA, CD-I, Video CD & Photo CD.
• Creates Audio CD, CD Extra, Enhanced CD, Photo CD, CD-I & Video CD Titles.
• Supports Disk-At-Once, Track-At-Once, Multisession, Packet Writing modes.
• Wide CD-R and CD-RW media compatibility (74min and Type80 - 79min)
• Includes PlexTools Professional

Data Transfer Rate
-- Burst (UDMA/33) 33MB/s
-- Write CD-R
  22-52X: 7800KB/s CAV
  20-40X: 6000KB/s P-CAV
  20-32X: 4800KB/s P-CAV
  20-24X: 3600KB/s P-CAV
  20X: 3000KB/s CLV
  16X: 2400KB/s CLV
  8X: 1200KB/s CLV
  4X: 600KB/s CLV
-- ReWrite 20-32X: 4800KB/s P-CAV
  20-24X: 3600KB/s P-CAV
  10X: 1500KB/s CLV
  4X: 600KB/s CLV
-- Read 22X-52X: 3300-7800KB/s CAV
  18X-40X: 2710-6000KB/s CAV
  14X-32X: 2170-4800KB/s CAV
  10X-24X: 1600-3600KB/s CAV
  8X: 1200KB/s CLV
  4X: 600KB/s CLV
Access Time <65ms
Data Buffer 8MB
Error Rate Mode1: less than 10-12bits
  Mode2: less than 10-9bits

Front Panel 
Eject Auto Eject/Manual Emergency
Lights Indication ON - DISC IN
Disc Loading Tray, Auto load/auto eject
Headphone Jack Stereo mini-jack, 0.8V at 32 Ohms

Rear Panel 
Power Supply DC +5V and DC +12V
Audio Connector Analog output (Molex Connector)
  Digital SPDIF output

Dimensions & Weight 
Dimensions 146 x 41.3 x 190 mm
Weight 1 kg

Reliability 
MTBF 60.000 POH (12% 8H/day)
Tray Loading Eject 50.000 times

Warranty 2 year *
Service On-Site Collect&Return Service