Wierd write problem w/ Plextor 740 and BenQ 1640

[rodrey]

Hello,

I just got my new Plextor 740 and BenQ 1640, upgraded the firmware to the latest 1.01 and BSMB respectively. I encountered a wierd problem on my very first attempt to test the writing capability for each of these drive. Here is what happened:

1) First attempt with Plextor 740, tested a Ritek DVD-R 4x with Nero 6.6.0.16 to do a DVD-Video disc and it burned successfully, or so it seems. The wierd part is that it is unreadable on the Plextor 740, Plextor 708, and BenQ 1640 ??? But suprisingly the disc can be read on a LiteON XJD 166S DVD-ROM!!! And also the Video disc can be played on my Stand-Alone Panasonic and Sony DVD players !!!!????? Puzzled???

2) First attempt with BenQ1640, tested a Ritek DVD-R 8x with Nero 6.6.0.16 to do a DVD-Video disc, this time on 4X mode only. The wierd part is the simulation went OK and then towards the end of the burning sequence it went error, error, error???!!!! Suprisingly, again, the disc is readable on my LiteOn XJD 166S DVD-ROM, and Panasonic and Sony standalone DVD Players!!!??? but is not readable on my Plextor 708, Plextor 740, BenQ1640 DVD writers???????? Now very puzzled????!!!!!

The bright side I did 2 other attempts with the Plextor 740 and was able to burn a Ritek DVD-R 8x on 8X mode and a Ritek DVD+R 8x on 8X mode, both readable on my DVD writers, DVD-ROM and standalone.

Anybody experienced the same problem?

[eric93se]

Use the quality scan feature in 'nero cd dvd speed' and post png images of those scans, use the benq 1640 to scan them.

Make sure you have DMA enabled in the device manager.

[rodrey]

Latest update. I successfully burned an Ritek DVDR-8X without simulation on my BenQ 1640. Although it seems that the problems happened using 4x media or 8x media burned at 4x, I can't really say at this point since I do not want to repeat it again. And since I have only reported a single instance of success or failure and type of media. I will let you guys know 3-4 months from now after 100 or so burned media.

[eric93se]

Also a FYI, the plextor 740 and Benq 1640 are 100% the same. The plextor drive has an old version of the 1640's firmware. It is also possible to turn your 740 into a 1640 and vice versa. The 1640 has more features and FW improvments.

[rodrey]

You're absolutely right! BenQ 1640 has some sort of Seamless Link kinda deal which I am still in the process of researching and figuring out it'sadvantages. Also the drive has Bit-setting capabilities which the Plextor 740 does not have as a setting on Nero 6.6.0.16. What threw of was that the seemingly unsuccessful first attempts at burning 4x mode on 4x media and 8x media could cause such a wierd occurrence. The product burned was not wasted in any sense since it is still readable and playable on my stand-alone DVD players and my lone LiteOn XJD -166s DVD-ROM??? What flabbergasted me was that both discs were totally unreadable on all my DVD-R writable Plextor 708a, Plextor 740, and BenQ 1640????? Maybe any of you guys have any inkling why this is so?

[eric93se]

I wasn't referring to seamless link, thats like buffer underrun protection.

goto Benq's website and under support search for Qsuite for the 1640. It has features like solid burn and wopc.

Also there should be bitsetting for the 740, I think you need a utility to set it, maybe from plextor (the utility will have limited functionality with the 740). Also try the bitsetting utility in nero cd-dvd speed.