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Need some advice on a new DVD burner

PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:42 pm
by perdomot
I just got the Benq 1620 at Tigerdirect and tested it out only to find some serious problems. I tried to upgrade the firmware but it said "No device found". I tried to use the Book Management sorftware and it said the same thing. Next I tried to burn a data dvd and on 2 of the 3 disk, I received an error message when the data was being verified. I've been using Memorex DVD-R 8X speed for these tests and didn't have any problems with my previous burner. I don't think its the media I'm using given the firmware/book managerment issues so I'm going to replace this drive and was looking at the NEC 3520. [-o< Reviews seem pretty good on this drive and I'm wondering what media I should choose for it(Compusa, Best Buy). Also, has anyone else had issues with their Benq drive? I thought this was a good brand but so far, nothing but bad news has appeared. Thanks.

PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 12:58 pm
by DVD_ADDICT
If those MEMOREX DVD-R media code is FUJIFILM 03 then that is your problem. The 1620 drive doesn't like that media id. Use DVDINFO PRO or DVD IDENTIFIER to get the actual media id on those MEMOREX DVD-R. I would suggest you try using TAIYO YUDEN (FUJI) DVD+R, MAXELL DVD+R/-, and SONY DVD+R/-. Returning the drive with only trying one type of media is silly. This 1620 is a better drive in my opinion than NEC. NEC needs hacked firmware for BITSETTING while the BENQ 1620 has it out of the box. BENQ has official firmwares updated frequently and gives good support. :D
Also check out the BENQ FORUM at cdfreaks.com.
http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.p ... rune=&f=92

PostPosted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:12 pm
by burninfool
Media would have nothing to do with firmware or the bitsetting software,I would replace the IDE cable and set it as master.
If that doesn't help then exchange it.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:16 am
by TCAS
Do the Windows recognize your writer and can see it at Device Manager, if so then do what previous poster suggested doing if that doesn't resolve your problem then the drive may be defect.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:05 pm
by perdomot
Well I ran DVD ID and got this:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unique Disc Identifier : [DVD-R:ProdiscF01]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disc & Book Type : [DVD-R] - [DVD-R]
Manufacturer Name : [Prodisc Technology Inc.]
Manufacturer ID : [ProdiscF01]
Blank Disc Capacity : [2,298,496 Sectors = 4,489.3MB = 4.38GB (4.71GB)]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ DVD Identifier - http://DVD.Identifier.CDfreaks.com ]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not sure how good Prodisc is. What makes me think something is wrong with the drive is the inability to update the firmware or use the Book Management software. I can see the drive in the Device Manager and I don't think the cable is bad because I can burn discs and nero and recordnow can see and use the drive. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 11:21 pm
by TCAS
WAS a wrong messege at wrong place, moved to "Ht Deal" TDK sale dsic at Circuit City

PostPosted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 11:26 pm
by DVD_ADDICT
Prodisc doesn't work well with the BENQ 1620 drive. Try using another brand of DVD media like MAXELL which uses media code ids - for DVD-R media these are the codes >MXL R03, MXL R02 & for DVD+R are MAXELL 001, 002, RICOHJPNR01, RICOHJPNR02. You can also try using TDK media as long as the media id is not CMC which is crappy in my opinion. In my opinion I don't think there is something wrong with your 1620 drive. The problem is the media PRODISC. I have a spindle of PRODISC that don't work in my 1620 but they work in my other drives>Plextor 708a & Pioneer 107d. :wink:

check this thread: http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic. ... 896#134896
there you will see that prodisc and benq don't get along. :wink:

PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 1:22 am
by spryfly
Their are some defective 1620's floating around in the current batch. Mine is going back to newegg tommorow. Don't rule out the the possibility of a defective burner.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 2:48 am
by DVD_ADDICT
Their are some defective 1620's floating around in the current batch. Mine is going back to newegg tommorow. Don't rule out the the possibility of a defective burner.


Yuh, a friend of mine got a defective drive and is getting a replacement. I was down at COMPUSA and saw they brought in the I/O MAGIC 16x drive that is a rebadged BENQ 1620. :)

PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:03 pm
by perdomot
Definately think its the drive since I can't upgrade the firmware. Gotta educate myself on the various media to burn on as well.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 10:59 pm
by DVD_ADDICT
how were you updating the firmware? what firmware came with the drive?
all you would need is to download the firmware B7P9 from benq.
http://www.benq.com/drivers/storage_drivers.html
turn off all programs running in the background like antivirus software and make sure you do not have any discs in the 1620. then double click on the firmware you downloaded from benq. let it run and it will tell you when it's done then reboot pc.

if you had firmware G, you can cross flash the drive to the B firmware. use this site to download the firmware in the cvt. file format and windowsflasher. you can either flash in windows or in safe mode.

http://dvdpro.club.st/firmware/BENQ_FW.htm