CDRLabs.com

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:22 pm**

long URL @ Newegg.
please use BBcode.
edited by dodecahedron

but they are out of stock till tomorrow
$45.99

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:14 pm**

Both black and beige are in stock right now. I really want a retail, but I'll settle for OEM.

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:56 pm**

I guess it's time for me to retire my 4x Optorite.

I almost bit the bullet on the NEC 3540 but all the positive reactions to the 1640 and its ability to write good on even cheap media (though, I probably won't be using them much) finally won me over.

Thanks everyone.

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:50 pm**

Ian wrote:Both black and beige are in stock right now. I really want a retail, but I'll settle for OEM.

Doesn't BenQ make "special" (read: barely updated and crappy) firmware for OEM drives compared to "real" (constantly updated) firmware for their retail drives?

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:48 pm**

Boba_Fett wrote:
Ian wrote:Both black and beige are in stock right now. I really want a retail, but I'll settle for OEM.

Doesn't BenQ make "special" (read: barely updated and crappy) firmware for OEM drives compared to "real" (constantly updated) firmware for their retail drives?

They can not differentiate between Their OEM and Retail drives when they update the firmware. The update is applicable to both OEM and Retail at the same time.

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:15 pm**

They have G OEM and B retail firmware, and yes they are the same except for the b or g and only work on the right drive. The ealier 1620 has the same thing and there are flasher and bin style files that allow you to change a OEM to retail firmware. I'm sure the 1640 will get or allready has one too. Mine showed up today but I missed it, I'll have to go to the post tomorrow and pick it up after work.
I have 2 1620's now and thay're both great drives, one had retail and was a rebadge, one had OEM and was a rebadge so depends on your luck. They both have retail now

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:50 pm**

Ian wrote:Both black and beige are in stock right now. I really want a retail, but I'll settle for OEM.

Whats the difference? I mean, retail vs OEM.

I always went for OEM if I can, unless they are the same price, as I don't really have any need for yet another PowerDVD (not sure what else is bundled nowadays).

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:50 pm**

It depends on the manufacturer. Usually, the software bundle (if you even get one), warranty and the look of the drive.

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:53 pm**

I didn't expect that some would go as far as differentiating the look

Wouldn't that only increase the manufacturing cost?

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 3:42 pm**

Thanks for the info,I just ordered one.

BTW...I just went to www.rpc1.org and there are already four fw versions for retail(B) but only one for OEM(G). :-?

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 3:56 pm**

burninfool wrote:Thanks for the info,I just ordered one.

BTW...I just went to www.rpc1.org and there are already four fw versions for retail(B) but only one for OEM(G).

And BSKB is going to be released VERY shortly too :wink:

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 5:09 pm**

@dolph(or anyone),
Have you seen a fw flasher for the 1640 OEM?
Any link would be appreciated. :wink:

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:34 pm**

burninfool wrote:@dolph(or anyone),
Have you seen a fw flasher for the 1640 OEM?
Any link would be appreciated.

Not yet, but I haven't looked.... most DW1640's are shipping with the retail firmware though.

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:39 pm**

OK TCAS! Are you going to get the 1693, 3540, or the 1640? I will get what is left!

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:15 pm**

ETP wrote:OK TCAS! Are you going to get the 1693, 3540, or the 1640? I will get what is left!

I have been intimidated since yesterday to order 1640 from new egg and I might do that this evening.

Posted: **Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:35 pm**

burninfool wrote:@dolph(or anyone),
Have you seen a fw flasher for the 1640 OEM?
Any link would be appreciated.

its called windwflash

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 2:52 pm**

is this flasher for DW1620 too ?

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:07 pm**

Yes. I got it from here:

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

with a plextor 740 cvt or bin file you can cross flash the DW1640, it was confirmed by people on cdfreaks forum. But it looks like benq has better FW support. the only added bonus is the use of plextools I think. You can get a RPC1 FW from TDB's website, just select the 740's FW and use that cvt file along with windwflash.

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:40 pm**

Mini review:
I received my 'beige' DW1640 OEM from newegg(in 2 days BTW) and here's what I got:
Drive in bubble wrap dated 5/2005.
BSHB firmware.
Nero v6.3.1.26 OEM
I installed it,updated the firmware and gave it a test drive...all I can say is WOW!
Rips pressed SL @16x and DL @14x,reads SL DVDR/RW @16x and CD-R's @46x.I haven't tried burning yet but will soon.The drive is super quiet too.
BTW..newegg says 'beige' but it's actually cool grey,I also had to go to www.benq.com for the utilities.

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:58 pm**

I'm waiting for the price to get closer to $40 shipped

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:38 pm**

burninfool wrote:Mini review:
I received my 'beige' DW1640 OEM from newegg(in 2 days BTW) and here's what I got:
Drive in bubble wrap dated 5/2005.
BSHB firmware.
Nero v6.3.1.26 OEM
I installed it,updated the firmware and gave it a test drive...all I can say is WOW!
Rips pressed SL @16x and DL @14x,reads SL DVDR/RW @16x and CD-R's @46x.I haven't tried burning yet but will soon.The drive is super quiet too.
BTW..newegg says 'beige' but it's actually cool grey,I also had to go to www.benq.com for the utilities.

What do these utilities do? Also, could you direct link where you got them? Couldn't find them on the site...

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:41 pm**

^Go to www.benq.com and click on Global->Service&Support->Drivers.
The utilities you need are BookType Management v8.4(for DVD+R) and QSuite,QScan is for checking errors and QVideo is for authoring DVD-Video.

BTW...they lowered the price already. :evil:

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 6:35 pm**

Wooohoooo, comon newegg you can do it. $40 shipped!!

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 6:52 pm**

Dammit! $5 cheaper than when I bought it last night :-?

Posted: **Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:07 pm**

call them up, and be like "wtf, gimme my $5" I'm sure they'll bend over.

CDRLabs.com

BenQ 1640 showing up at newegg

BenQ 1640 showing up at newegg