Digital Max 16X DVD+/-RW dual layer burner - What Brand?????

[awwyeaa]

I bought this on black friday and I'm wondering what brand it is

I read on a different thread that it could possibly be a lite on

I was wondering how to tell what it really is

thanks

[Ian]

More info here... but I guess you already know that.

http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=18213

Did you open the box yet? That's the only way to know for sure.

[awwyeaa]

the box is actually 1400 miles away right now

a relative bought it for me

I do have a scan of the label on the drive

[Justin42]

Looks pretty Lite-On-ish to me (serial # tag, layout of the caution label)... given that much info.

[awwyeaa]

what other info can I give you guys?

I want to figure it out cause if it's not a lite on then I'll probably return it


this is what it says on the box

______________________
"Fast access time and high data transfer rates.
Includes Nero Express, Nero Vision Express 2 and PowerDVD software for creation and playback of DVD's, VCD's and SVCD's.
SMART-BURN for efficient recording minimuizes buffer underrun conditions
SMART-X for fastest CD-DA/VCD/DVD data extraction speed
Supports Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
Power saving mode
Flash ROM supports firmware upgrades online"
http://www.godigitalmax.com
Package contains:
DVD+/-RW Drive (supports double layer)
Quick install guide
CD Kits for application software (DVD playback Software/Back up Software/User's Manual
Audio Cable
Mountiing Screws
System requirements:
CPU: Pentium III 450 MHz or higher (Pentium III 8000MHz is reccommended)
OS Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
Memory 128 MB RAM or higher (256 MB RAM is reccomended)
Hard Driver 650 MB available capacity: 9GB free
HDD space imimum for creating a DVD image file
_____________________________

[Justin42]

SMART-X is a LiteOn thing, so it's more than likely a LiteOn (confirmed on the other thread Ian posted, as well). I'd say you're safe assuming it's a LiteOn.

[Bhairav]

Probably a rebadged 1633S?

[MediumRare]

Probably a rebadged 1633S?

I think you're right- the model no. DRW-3S163 is a permutated 1633S. This is what 4kus uses, and these are either original or just lightly disguised LiteOn's (sold in Germany as Speer).

G

[RJW]

Why want Lite On as there is Benq ?

Why Benq
A Much better writing quality
B Nice free updates (however Lite On seems to have learned.)
C Official support when it comes to media testing.

[zico]

I bought the DigitalMax at OfficeMax and have updated the firmware to new Lite-On SOHW-1633S Release (BS-41). It is now identified as the Lite-On drive.
I believe there is a problem using the Lite-On firmware directly since it doesn't "find" a Lite-On drive to udate. I found a utitlity that allowed you to "drop" the Lite-On file onto it and it removed this need for proper name identification. I'm at work now and can't remember where I found this procedure and utility. I'll post again when I get home.

[VEFF]

I am glad I didn't get in on the BF burner deals.

- OM's drive is a LiteOn, which is below the Benq and NEC, and probably
below the DVR-108 as well. I didn't even bother trying to get it for
$40 + tax on about $80.
Newegg has the Benq 1620 for not too much more and at least I know I'll be be getting better burns

- I have found out that the Staples drive that I DID try to get, is a crap shoot:
Some are Benq - which I wanted - others are BTC etc., which I would have returned.

Since I am in no special hurry, I'll wait till a nice hot deal comes along or a nice new drive model comes out, or both

[vinnie97]

I'm in the same boat, VEFF. Maybe it's better that Staples sold out before I got a chance to snatch the I/O Magic.

[awwyeaa]

hmmm

I really don't know a whole ton about which is better

I currently have a lite on burner and thought it was pretty good, they release firmware upgrades all the time

I want to get a dual layer burner and thought for $40 why not, especially if it was a name brand

I already have a standard burner so the dual layer feature is the only reason for an upgrade

how would this one perform?

[zico]

Here's the link to the utility that allows you to modify the stock Lite-On firmware to work with the DigitalMax. http://digi.rpc1.org/flashfix.htm Please notice the "Important" note in yellow about midway down the page.

[Bhairav]

hmmm

I really don't know a whole ton about which is better

I currently have a lite on burner and thought it was pretty good, they release firmware upgrades all the time

I want to get a dual layer burner and thought for $40 why not, especially if it was a name brand

I already have a standard burner so the dual layer feature is the only reason for an upgrade

how would this one perform?

At 8X and 12X speeds, it isn't a bad burner at all, and even the +R DL burns are decent. Just don't try it at 16X! I personally think that if a drive does well at a given speed, and by "well" I mean readable discs, there is no need to get *too* anal about the KProbe scores and say "Oooh.. my 3500 gives me 0.5 PIE avg, and your crappy Lite-On only does 9 PIE avg!".
Long as the drive is reliable, which the Lite-Ons certainly are, I see no worries...

[awwyeaa]

thanks for all the info

I was looking on newegg and saw benq 16x burners for $60

that's only $20 more then this one

would it be worth the extra $20 for one of these burners?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-101-631&depa=0

it's the DW1620 in case you don't click

I'm mainly interested in these for the dual layer feature, of course it would take over as my only burner in my system so it would need to burn everything well, dvd + - , and cdr

I'm not too concerened about burning at 16x

my current burner is only a 4x so I'm used to that speed

[brasil52]

Bought it yesterday, burned some DVDs, didn't play, got (no disc) on my mintek dvd player and (loading disc) on my Apex.
PLAYS FINE on my computer (used DVD+ media TDK, PHILIPS and Kypermedia same result.
replaced it with my verbatim writer and tried the same movies and played on all players. any sugestions?