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In House Review - BenQ DW1655 16x DVD±RW

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:45 am
by Ian
Today CDRLabs takes a long overdue look at BenQ's latest LightScribe capable DVD writer, the DW1655. While affordably priced, the drive features some pretty impressive specs including 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R DL and 4x DVD-R DL writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Along with support for LightScribe, the DW1655 also includes features like BenQ's Write Right, OverSpeed and SolidBurn technologies.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DW1655 and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the DW1655 have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=288]Image
BenQ DW1655 16x DVD±RW[/url]

As usual, if you have any comments or questions about this review or the BenQ DW1655, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:27 pm
by dolphinius_rex
With both Khypermedia and Playo DVD+RDL media available, it would be nice to see a little more variaty on the DVD+RDL tests...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=406

http://www.meritline.com/playo-dl-dvd-p ... media.html

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:34 pm
by Ian
Damn, I forgot I had those PlayO discs. I'm trying to get some Ritek 8x DVD+R DL media as well.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:12 am
by RJW
Incase of the Ritke 8x Dual layers I say which ones or are you getting them both ?

For the folks who don't know Ritek has 2 different type of 8x Dual Layers on the market

RITEK-D03 = 2P method

RITEK-S04 = Inversed Stack

PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:20 am
by Ian
I'm not sure RJW... whatever they send me I'll use.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:11 pm
by dolphinius_rex
Ian wrote:I'm not sure RJW... whatever they send me I'll use.


Chances are Ritek USA is unaware of there being 2 types, and would dismiss the second type (which ever one they don't have) as being nothing but a rumour :P

PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:40 pm
by stix
At last, Great to see a review of the 1655 ! Thanks !

Can the 1650 be considered to be the exact same drive as the 1655, without LightScribe?

Other than the LightScribe feature, does anyone have a brief opinion of the 1655 versus 1640? (Dolph?)

PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:26 pm
by Ian
stix wrote:Can the 1650 be considered to be the exact same drive as the 1655, without LightScribe??


From what I can gather, they both use the same hardware.

Other than the LightScribe feature, does anyone have a brief opinion of the 1655 versus 1640? (Dolph?)


Personally, I like the 1640 better. In most cases, the writing times are faster (with WOPC enabled) and you can write to 2.4x DL media at 8x.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:43 pm
by dolphinius_rex
I think SolidBurn works better on the DW1640, but on certain media types the DW1655 CAN outperform the DW1640. I use the DW1655 most of the time now for burning though, mainly because I simply need to retire my older drives at somepoint :P

PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:58 pm
by [buck]
On the limited selection of media I use regularly (mainly MCC004 and YUDEN000T02 :P), my DW1650 is a bit better. Really, I don't think it matters too much...

PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:48 pm
by Scour
Nice review, Ian :)

Very good writer again from Benq

But maybe it´s the last real Benq?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:03 pm
by Ian
Scour wrote:But maybe it´s the last real Benq?


Yeah, it sounds like it. Judging from Dolph's comments in another thread, it might be the last BenQ in the US too.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:30 pm
by [buck]
I'm hoping we'll see the DW1805. I think that drive is supposed to be Nexperia-based.

PostPosted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:10 am
by Ian
It looks like the DW1805 might be. The DW1800 is probably an NEC or Panasonic chipset though.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:48 am
by weetoots
How far off are the 18xx series? My 1640 just died from trayitis.
I don't really need light scribe but for a few bucks more, why not a 1655. However I don't see any stock at Zipzoomfly, which usually means out for good.
I'll check newegg, but they rip me off on shipping to Hawaii.. :cry:

Fresh ideas?

Al

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:15 am
by bill
weetoots wrote:How far off are the 18xx series? My 1640 just died from trayitis.
I don't really need light scribe but for a few bucks more, why not a 1655. However I don't see any stock at Zipzoomfly, which usually means out for good.
I'll check newegg, but they rip me off on shipping to Hawaii.. :cry:

Fresh ideas?

Al


Hi

Try here- http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic. ... 231#159231

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:18 pm
by weetoots
Thanks Bill, message received. Off to Compusa to check.

Al