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In House Review - ASUS DRW-1604P Double Layer 16x DVD±RW

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In House Review - ASUS DRW-1604P Double Layer 16x DVD±RW

Postby Ian on Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:00 pm

Today we bring you a review of ASUS's new double layer DVD writer, the DRW-1604P. Based on Pioneer's new 16x DVD±RW, the DW-1604P boasts some of the fastest DVD reading and writing speeds available. The drive is capable of 16x DVD±R and 4x DVD±RW writing speeds and has a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. More importantly, it's one of the first drives to feature 4x DVD+R DL writing speeds. The DRW-1604P also includes features like 32x CD writing speeds, 40x CD read speeds and support for technologies like FlextraLink and FlextraSpeed.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DRW-1604P and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does ASUS's new drive have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=246]Image
ASUS DRW-1604P Double Layer 16x DVD±RW[/url]

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the DRW-1604P, please post them in the forum using the link provided below.
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Postby Ian on Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:04 pm

This is the same drive HardOCP chose for their latest $1500 System Guide. It's a good read if you haven't checked it out.
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Postby dolphinius_rex on Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:26 pm

Good review! ...not super impressed with the drive though. I'm thinking that BenQ and NEC are still in the lead here.
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Postby Scour on Fri Oct 29, 2004 3:27 am

Hello!

Great review, Ian :)

I´m impressed about that drive, super writing quality and good speeds.

Ian, will you test in future the drives with Prodisc-media?
Benq DW 1640 and 1650 , Plextor PX-755, Pioneer BDR-208 and 209D, LG GH24NSC0, LG BH16NS40 and 16NS55, Liteon ihas 124F and 324F, Pioneer DVR-215 and S21, Samsung SH-224DB and 224GB, and some more

cu
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Postby Ian on Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:10 am

Scour wrote:Ian, will you test in future the drives with Prodisc-media?


Yeah, I've gotten a lot of requests for Prodisc. I need to order some more.
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Postby alexnoe on Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:58 am

I have one on my own, and so far it is the only drive i've seen which has a write quality superior even to latest LG drives (converted to Pioneer A08, 1.14hack)
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Postby dodecahedron on Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:24 am

alexnoe wrote:I have one on my own, and so far it is the only drive i've seen which has a write quality superior even to latest LG drives (converted to Pioneer A08, 1.14hack)

what do you mean "(converted to Pioneer A08, 1.14hack)" ?
LG drive converted to Pioneer ???


i gather from your words that the latest LG drives have very good writing quality. i'm tempted to get one...
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Postby alexnoe on Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:36 am

The Asus DRW-1604P is a Pioneer A08.
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Postby overclockxp on Fri Oct 29, 2004 12:33 pm

I was thinking about getting this drive. It is a Pioneer 108 which gets great reviews. However, the retail version of the Asus drives appears to be just an OEM Pioneer in a retail Asus box, not a retail Pioneer. I might wait and get the 109 with DVD-R DL. Too many decisions.
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Postby sundog on Mon Nov 15, 2004 3:17 pm

Ian, I am a new user here just would like to ask you some questions, how does this drive compare to the NEC 3500A and the pioneer 108? do you think they are about the same? :roll:
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Postby dodecahedron on Mon Nov 15, 2004 3:30 pm

the Asus and Pioneer are basically the same drive.
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Postby Ian on Mon Nov 15, 2004 3:34 pm

dodecahedron wrote:the Asus and Pioneer are basically the same drive.


Yeah, aside from the bezel, the two drives are pretty much the same.

As far as the 3500A goes.. gimme some specifics and I'll try to give you my opinion.
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Postby sundog on Mon Nov 15, 2004 3:44 pm

oh also Ian do you know which drives are the first few came out with the 4XDL burning? also do you know when did the first 4XDL come out? just this summer? [-o<
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