Plextor PX-716A

Although dual-layer recordable DVD drives have been around for a few months, Plextor has only now released its first offering.

Able to hold up to 8.5Gb, dual-layer DVDs are perfect for storing home movies or backing up large amounts of data.

With a dual-layer write speed of 4x, the PX-716A took just 27 minutes to burn an 8Gb DVD, which is pretty impressive. A range of features, such as IntelligentRecording and VariRec, are used to ensure the quality of the recorded DVDs. It's also capable of writing to both DVD+R and DVD-R formats, but not DVD-RAM.

Realising that not everyone has a beige PC, Plextor has thoughtfully included a black frame for the front of the PX-716A. You also get all the cabling and screws required to install it in your PC.

There's no doubt that external drives are now easier to get up and running, and there's a small instruction sheet to guide you through the simple process of installing the drive.

The software bundle includes Nero 6 SE, which handles all DVD-burning tasks, as well as Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD 8.3 LE, but Plextor hasn't included any blank DVDs to get you started.

While we have no qualms over its performance, we think the PX-716A is a little overpriced considering similar models, such as the NEC ND-3500A, are available for around £60.

Contact:
Plextor (no UK number)
www.plextor.com