CDRLabs.com

Today CDRLabs takes a long overdue look at AOpen's 16x DVD±RW, the DUW1608/AAR. Along with support for the DVD+R DL format, the drive is capable of 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R and 4x DVD±RW writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The DUW1608 also has some of the fastest CD reading and writing speeds found on a DVD writer. The drive reads and writes CD's at 48x and rewrites at a blazing 32x.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DUW1608 and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Is the DUW1608 the best bang for your buck? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=253]
AOpen DUW1608/ARR 16x DVD±RW[/url]

As I mentioned the other day, we used the latest firmware in this review. And yes, we even tested the drive's 32x CD-RW writing speeds. Anyway, if you have any comments or questions about this review or the AOpen DUW1608, please post them in the forum using the link provided below.

Hello!

Great review like always, Ian

I don´t understand that Aopen brings us this time a 16x8x2,4-drive, because the competitors have 16x16x4-drives. Did you find out wether the drive is build by Aopen or is it one of the hundreds rebadged drives from other manufacturers?

Did I get it right, the drive recognizes a DVD-RAM, but cannot read? Did you try one or more RAM´s?

I don´t understand that Aopen brings us this time a 16x8x2,4-drive, because the competitors have 16x16x4-drives.

>>In defense, the drive has been out for a few months. It just hasn't hit market saturation until recently.

Did you find out wether the drive is build by Aopen or is it one of the hundreds rebadged drives from other manufacturers?

>>It seems to be AOpen's own design.. using Ricoh's latest chipset.

Did I get it right, the drive recognizes a DVD-RAM, but cannot read? Did you try one or more RAM´s?

>>Yes. I tried a few different discs from Maxell and Optodisc. None of it worked.

Thanks for the answer.

Hm, in Germany this drive is avaible since 1-2 month, I thought it was newer because it comes later on market than drives like the Pioneer 108, NEC 3500,...

Hope, that Aopen brings new FW for better RAM-compatibility or a new drive

Nice review Ian!

I'm not exactly sure what the box art was supposed to accomplish

MB

MadBurner wrote:I'm not exactly sure what the box art was supposed to accomplish

That struck me as odd, too.

cfitz

MadBurner wrote:I'm not exactly sure what the box art was supposed to accomplish

I think the same people were on the box for their 8x drive. It's better than the Chewbacca wannabe on TDK's packaging.

Going back to the DUW1608, I'm hoping that AOpen releases firmware that will up the drive's DVD-R and DVD+R DL writing speeds. If its the same chipset that Ricoh uses in their new drive, it should be capable.. at least in theory.

Ian wrote:It's better than the Chewbacca wannabe on TDK's packaging.

Agreed!

MB

Ian wrote:

MadBurner wrote:I'm not exactly sure what the box art was supposed to accomplish

I think the same people were on the box for their 8x drive. It's better than the Chewbacca wannabe on TDK's packaging.

Going back to the DUW1608, I'm hoping that AOpen releases firmware that will up the drive's DVD-R and DVD+R DL writing speeds. If its the same chipset that Ricoh uses in their new drive, it should be capable.. at least in theory.

Which other drives have Ricoh-chipsets? Ricoh´s new writer use NEC-technology, I think.

Gabe wrote:
Which other drives have Ricoh-chipsets? Ricoh´s new writer use NEC-technology, I think.

Seems to be that nobody knows it

Yeah, I'm not really sure. AOpen/Ricon's 8x drive seemed to be nothing more than an NEC rebadge, but their previous drives were Ricoh designs with JustLink, JustSpeed, etc... like the DUW1608.

Ian wrote:Yeah, I'm not really sure. AOpen/Ricon's 8x drive seemed to be nothing more than an NEC rebadge, but their previous drives were Ricoh designs with JustLink, JustSpeed, etc... like the DUW1608.

Maybe we should wait what chipset the next AOpen have

Greetz Ian,

Have you tested with the new firmware at all? ftp://ftp.aopen.com.tw/pub/driver/dvd+r ... 8_r107.exe

Improvements / thoughts / comments ?

Hello!

Don´t think that Ian repeats the complete test, it´s to much work for a burner like this.

But what about the reading of DVD-RAM, can you test that?

I would if I still had the drive. They usually don't, but for some reason AOpen wanted the drive back this time.

Ian wrote:I would if I still had the drive. They usually don't, but for some reason AOpen wanted the drive back this time.

Ian wrote:I would if I still had the drive. They usually don't, but for some reason AOpen wanted the drive back this time.

Ian, if you post (or PM) the email address of your contact i'll be more than happy to send them a letter asking them to let you keep their drives, explaining why and the benefit for them. i'm sure others would be willing to do that too. maybe eit will make a difference ?
and i'm not talking just about Aopen but any company.

I'd rather have you write Plextor and tell them that. I'd get a lot more use out of say a PX-716A.