differences between Toshiba SD-M1712 and SD-M1802

[dodecahedron]

like Han said here, the Toshiba SD-M1712 is on it's way out.
it's no longer on Newegg (was less than a month ago).
called a couple local stores and they only have the newer 1812

looks like i deliberated just a little too long and missed it.

anyway i'm looking at the product pages: SD-M1712, SD-M1802
differences between the two drives i can see:

• 1802 doesn't support DVD-RAM anymore!
  Han, you said a few times that the 1712 was DVD-Multi, but i don't see that anywhere on the product page.
  if the 1802 doesn't support -RAM anymore then obviously it isn't DVD-Multi.
• the 1712 supports the CD+(E)G format, the 1802 doesn't.
• Audio distortion: -80dB for the 1712, -77dB for the 1802. which is better?
• buffer size: 192K for the 1712, 256K for the 1802

also, according to Han here, the 1802 doesn't (yet?) have a hacked firmware for RPC1 and no-speed-limit reading.
also Han says the 1802 is based on a new chipset from VIA. i wonder what this will mean in terms of performance, quality etc.

the 1712 can read both +R/+RW media, according to many posts, even though it's not in the drive specs. can the 1802 too?

does anyone have more info about the 1802 and the differences?

[dodecahedron]

Han, you are the resident Toshiba Guru!
i'm awaiting answers from you!

[Han]

SD-M1802 is still a mystery. We have only user's feedback which is not very positive. Maybe it'll change if/when RPC1 and "no speed limit" firmware will be available. The drive reads DVD+R(W) discs for sure, perhaps DVD-RAM also, but that was not confirmed yet. Anyway, DVD-RAM is, in my humble opinion, obsolete. Regarding VIA chipset: Toshiba joined with Samsung in manufacturing DVD drives. I think that's not good for us, consumers. Performance should be the same, but for now it's not known whether 1802 can be unlocked to its full potential, like 1712 and 1612. Quality is questionable. Buffer size: 128 KB is enough.

SD-M1712 is DVD-Multi according to paper specifications that were supplied with the first batch of drives to our local distributor last year. Drive's specifications are not to be trusted 100%.

I guess you won't find a new SD-M1712 online anymore. There may be some drives left in my country, though. I've just checked: I could get three more retail Toshibas SD-M1712 and one OEM. Retail (KIT) Toshiba drive has 2 years limited warranty in Europe!

[Han]

We now have some new information regarding SD-M1802 poor performance at reading SafeDisc and LaserLock protected CDs. According to the firmware page forum, older models are real speed daemons in comparison to 1802 "VIA Optical Solution" snail sucker.

[dodecahedron]

Buffer size: 128 KB is enough.

strange that the Toshiba webpage says the 1712 has 192K of buffer memory!
Toshiba SD-M1712 - Specs
must be a typo...but who cares now it's a discontiued drive...