CDRLabs.com

CDRLabs has taken a long overdue look at ASUS's first LightScribe enabled "Super-Multi" drive, the DRW-1612BL. Based on an all new design, the DRW-1612BL is capable of 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Along with support for LightScribe, the drive also includes features like ASUS's FlextraLink, FlextraSpeed and QuieTrack technologies.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DRW-1612BL and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the DRW-1612BL have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=300]
ASUS DRW-1612BL 16x DVD±RW/RAM[/url]

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the ASUS DRW-1612BL, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.

Nice review, Ian

Looks like it´s a slow burner, but good with many SL-DVD. I´m a little disappointed about the DL-quality.

Will u make a review of the 1814?

Scour wrote:Will u make a review of the 1814?

Yep, its in the works.

Nice

I hope it´s an improvement to the 1612

Scour wrote:I hope it´s an improvement to the 1612

Yeah, I hope the DL writing quality is better. I haven't gotten that far in my tests yet though. It does have the annoying issue of reading CD-R media at only 40x.

I have the same issues with my 1814. I tested it with CD Speed with the 1.04 FW and then again with the 1.10 FW released 4/3/07 and same result of 40x CD-R max read speed. Much better with pressed CD's though. On the other hand, with TY Japan CD-R's, this drive offers much better writing quality then with my Lite-on 52-32-52, Sony 52-32-52 CD-RW or Samsung 52-32-52-16 Combo so that with the needed SATA connector (due to my Intel MB having 1 IDE channel), DVD-RAM and the Lightscribe this drive does have something to offer me, now I just need to find another black bezeled drive to mate with it so my new case will look better ... Hopefully when you finish the review you could suggest a drive to me that has the strengths where the Asus has weaknesses.

Thanks for all the work, Ian! The dvd-ram read time caught my eye, did you use Maxell 12x?



I haven't really kept up with Asus designed writers, do they generally keep updating the firmware to improve the writer or just move on and release another model? I know their really good with their mainboards but opticals?

Yeah, that was Maxell 12x DVD-RAM. It works at 14x on the DRW-1814BLT too.

At least with their previous drives, ASUS has kept up to date on firmware updates. Then again, these were Pioneer drives so ASUS didn't really have to do much. I'm fairly impressed at how quickly they've released updates for the 1612 and 1814. We'll have to see how long they continue to do this though.

I´m also look foward for an Asus 1814-review