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BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:00 am
by stix
Just acquired a new Benq DW1650 last week. Yes, new. It came with BCFC firmware. Label is shown in first photo below. I wondered what the preferred firmware is for this drive. I have tracked down BCDC, BCHC and BCIC. Apparently none of this is available from any official consumer online Benq source anymore.(?)

I have two 1640s, but never had a 1650 or 1655. I still have plenty of Verbatim DVD+R, MCC 004 media, even found some more at Microcenter recently, and thought it would be a good match. Also wondered what the relative differences are between this drive and the 1640. Have searched back through the posts on this site for enlightenment, and thought maybe if anyone is still familiar with this drive you might refresh my memory. Thankfully, I discovered that the DW1655 review is still available here at CDRLabs, and looked it over last night.

Another item:
Awhile back, after they had disappeared from the shelves at Compusa, I bought a brand new sealed, in the box Norwood Micro, OEM DW1640. Second photo below, scanned thru plastic packaging. Have never used it and have kept it as a backup or to sell some day. I understand these can be cross-flashed to Benq firmware and wondered if anyone can still tell me how to do it, should I decide to at some point. ??

Any thoughts?

Re: BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:48 pm
by Ian
I never owned a BW1650 so I won't be much help. I'm not really sure where to get firmware updates either. I even tried rpc1.org and their links are broken.

As far as crossflashing goes, the easiest way to do it is to use BQFlasher. A guide on how to use it can be found here:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/f92/benq-how-flasher-171380/

Re: BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:53 pm
by Ian

Re: BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:02 pm
by Ian

Re: BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:46 pm
by SithTracy
Kinda off topic... would love to use my BenQ as needed in a external enclosure... either through a eSATA connection (with a SATA bridge) or in a USB enclosure... Anyone recommend a good one? I've had a couple cheapies that were not so good.

Re: BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:17 pm
by Ian
I would just use USB. eSATA is probably overkill for a 16x PATA DVD writer.

Re: BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:33 am
by stix
many thanks for all the links and info, Ian.

Re: BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:16 am
by Dartman
If you want to use the 1640 externally you'll almost certainly need the external version of it's firmware. My units will only go to 12x with normal FW in a usb box. They will go full speed if I use the 1394 port and the external version though. Some external boxes work better then others and some drive will work fine becuase they use UDMA 3 or higher mode where the stock 1640 use UDMA 2 mode so it's too slow for most boxes without the upgrade to external.

Re: BenQ 16xx series burners

PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:03 pm
by SkaarjMaster
not sure if it helps much but my DW1655 has the BCIB firmware installed.