(Updated) BenQ DW1620 16x DVD±R/RW, 4x dual layer drive for "$64.00" OEM Shipped

[MysticMan1]

BenQ DW1620 16x DVD±R/RW 2.4x dual layer drive $67.00 + $4 shipping at Newegg.com
Plus a free 5 pack of 4x DVD-R 4.7GB media

Link to Newegg.com

Current low price on pricewatch.com is $64.00 shipped pricewatch.com

cdrinfo.com has a review of the BenQ DW1620 LINK

Always check the retailer's reseller ratings before you buy resellerratings.com
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New firmware addes 4x DL burning to the BenQ DW1620 (version vB7L9 is now available here: LINK
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(Updated #2) 8.5GB "Double Layer" Ridata 5+1 (5 DL & 1 DVD+RW) Disc for *$22.99* ($4.75 ea) AR + shipping At Newegg.com
Also Verbatim "3 pack" for "$16.00 ($5.33 ea), AR + Shipping
Link to thread[/L]

 

[Pinan]

Excellent drive. Auto bitsetting, over-speed 8x to 12 and 16x with some media. I'm averaging under 10K PI and 1K PIF with KProbe. This drive prefers good +R media! Don't bother using -R with it, yet.

 

[MysticMan1]

Originally posted by: Pinan
Excellent drive. Auto bitsetting, over-speed 8x to 12 and 16x with some media. I'm averaging under 10K PI and 1K PIF with KProbe. This drive prefers good +R media! Don't bother using -R with it, yet.

Do you have the BenQ DW1600 which you upgraded it to the BenQ DW1620 or did you buy new BenQ DW1620 drive?

 

[Kipper]

Any leads on cheap DL media? I want to get one of these but need the media.

Everything I've found so far is $8+

 

[Keitero]

I need a new drive, might just pick up on this.

 

[joe350zx]

I've got one BenQ DW1620, it is a good drive with good pricing. I got some info that shows DW1620 performing better than Pioneer!! And I try, it really took less than 7 min to record 4.7GB.
BenQ website

The bundle Software are easy to use aswell, Q-video and book type management!!

 

[MysticMan1]

cdrinfo.com has added a review of the BenQ DW1620 drive Link to BenQ "DW1620 review

-The Good

Currently, fastest DVD recorder (16X) for both DVD±R formats due to CAV technology
Supports DVD+R Double Layer media writing at 2.4X
Supports BookType setting for DVD+R/RW media and Double Layer media
Over-speed burning (media can be recorded at higher speed than the media's supported writing speed)
Supports overburning with CD-R/RW media
Very good DVD writing quality, with many +R media
Excellent CD/DVD error correction
Can be used to measure (scan) DVD±R/RW media
Can read protected Audio discs (CDS200, Key2Audio)

- The Bad

Doesn't support 1X/2X writing with DVD-R/RW media
Competition offers 4X DL writing
Does not support overburning with DVD±R/RW media
Cannot backup copy protected games with most versions of SafeDisc protection
Doesn't support reading of DVD-RAM media
Doesn't support reading of C2 pointers

 

[Pinan]

Originally posted by: MysticMan1

Do you have the BenQ DW1600 which you upgraded it to the BenQ DW1620 or did you buy new BenQ DW1620 drive?

Sorry I missed this.

I have both the DW1600 and the DW1620. Upgraded the firmware on the DW1620 to B7H9 and it's great.


"Does not support over-burning with DVD±R/RW media"

Uh...yes it does (maybe not RW). Quite a bit of it too. For instance. TYT02 8X can be burned at 12 and 16x. Prodisc R03 8X can be burned at 12X, etc. There are several more. This is well documented at BenQ:

No. DVD+R Media Brand ID Claim Speed Possible Speed by BenQ DW1620 (B7H9)
1 Philips C16 16x @ 16x
2 Mitsubishi (MCC) 004 16x @ 16x
3 TAIYO YUDEN T03 16x @ 16x
4 Prodisc R04 16x @ 16x
5 Daxon AZ2 8x @ 16x
6 SONY D11 8x @ 16x
7 TAIYO YUDEN T02 8x @ 16x
8 LD (Lead Data) S03 8x @ 16x
9 TDK 002 8x @ 16x
10 Mitsubishi (MCC) 003 8x @ 12x
11 Philips C08 8x @ 12x
12 Maxell R02 8x @ 12x
13 BeAll P80 8x @ 12x
14 Plasmon C01 8x @ 12x
15 RicohJPN R02 8x @ 12x
16 Prodisc R03 8x @ 12x

No. DVD-R Media Brand ID Claim Speed Possible Speed by BenQ DW1620 (B7H9)
1 Daxon 008S 8x @ 16x
2 LD (Lead Data) S03 8x @ 16x
3 SONY 08D1 8x @ 16x
4 TAIYO YUDEN G02 8x @ 16x


I also noted that their tests were run on a LiteOn 811 drive. In my experience that's an awful reader. My LiteOn 851 KProbe scans blow those in the review away. My scans can be found at club.cdfreaks.com, in the BenQ forum. Just search for "1620" once you're there.

 

[Sahakiel]

Originally posted by: Pinan
"Does not support over-burning with DVD±R/RW media"

Uh...yes it does (maybe not RW). Quite a bit of it too. For instance. TYT02 8X can be burned at 12 and 16x. Prodisc R03 8X can be burned at 12X, etc. There are several more. This is well documented at BenQ:

I think they're talking about sticking more than 4.7 GB on a single layer disc.

 

[Pinan]

Originally posted by: Sahakiel

I think they're talking about sticking more than 4.7 GB on a single layer disc.

That wouldn't be right either as the DW1620 is a Dual Layer burner as well. But with that wording, they meant over-speeding the disk, which they're wrong about.

 

[MysticMan1]

Added new firmware (version vB7L9) available now.

Llink to firmware

Release Information (by the Manufacturer)

 

[MysticMan1]

(Update Newegg.com has just added the BenQ DW1620 16x DVD±R/RW drive to it's web site selling for $66.99 + $4 shipping.