Dual layer burning function for BenQ DW800A

by **silencer** on Fri Dec 05, 2003 1:37 pm

Someone posted at fimware page:

"info :
A reliable source inside BenQ Europe told that a rumoured firmware upgrade to add Dual Layer Burning Capability to BenQ DW800A will be released in Jan 2004 . I heard Philips was working on this but their product would not be introduced before April/May 2004. It seems like BenQ has got a nice Late Christmas surprise for owners of a DW800A DVDRewriter.!!"

What do U thinK???

THNX u

by **Ian** on Fri Dec 05, 2003 1:41 pm

As I've said in the past... I'll believe it when I see it.

Personally, I think a January release is way too early. Especially when you consider the dual layer specs weren't expected to be finalized until some time closer to spring. Philips' date is probably more correct.

As it is, I have a gut feeling we're all going to have to buy a new drive for dual layer writing support.. this includes Philips and BenQ owners. I really wouldn't buy a drive now, expecting to add this support for free sometime in the future. If you want this feature, save your money and buy a new drive in the spring.

by **RJW** on Fri Dec 05, 2003 4:46 pm

Well pulled some strings here and there.

Forget it that the Benq writer will write dual layer media in Januari. However benq is interested in bringing dual layer support for the 8x drive while Philips thinks a new drive might be better since getting it good working on the 8x might cost to much time to make it worth. However no decisions are made befor real production of dual format media has started.

MCC is so far producing very limited dual format media and no other manufacturer is at this moment cappable of starting production since the patent side isn't completely finished up to today.

So if Benq would support dual layer +R media in January it would mean that they only could support MCC media at that time. Which won't have there media befor March on the market unless they can buy extra production lines for the other media or can buy large quantities of TY/CMC media for a low enough price.
There might be a firmware for dual format (which means -R ) in Januari.

by **BMR** on Fri Dec 05, 2003 6:01 pm

Ian wrote:As I've said in the past... I'll believe it when I see it.

I agree with Ian. I highly doubt that a dvd writer specifically designed to write single layer is going to be able to be software modified to write dual layer. You need a laser that can operate at, at least 3 different power levels to burn dual layer. I doubt current drives can be configured with that functionality. As well, you need increased accuracy in the laser itself to a tollerance that the currently installed lasers may not meet.

BMR

by **MonteLDS** on Fri Dec 05, 2003 6:50 pm

give me dual layer media!

by **Kennyshin** on Fri Dec 05, 2003 9:20 pm

MonteLDS wrote:give me dual layer media!

Visit MCC.

by **minchin** on Sat Dec 06, 2003 1:47 am

We can burn all the dual layer disc we want, but if existing DVD Players can't play them, what's the point?
So Phillips has demonstrated that it can be done and I guess there are even media out there... but can you play that thing on a household DVD Player?

Min

by **RJW** on Sat Dec 06, 2003 6:31 am

Probally yes if it supports DVD+RW based on the info that's arround.

by **VEFF** on Sat Dec 06, 2003 12:40 pm

Wow!
If the Benq 800A really is upgradeable to burn dual format, it would give it a HUGE edge over other burners currently on the market!

Only time will tell if this is really true!

by **RJW** on Mon Dec 08, 2003 7:24 am

Not as spectaculair if Pioneer succeeds with there plans.
Pioneer is trying for there -R dual layer support. To support it just with firmware as they can. At least that was the idea.
How it will work out in the end no one knows. Even Pioneer themselves doesn't know at the moment. But still it gives some food for thought.
If Pioneer succeeds with dual layer support just by firmware then expect some reaction by PHilips/Benq/QSI and the rest.
Still the change is small and I personally think that only the A07 makes a small change on haveing support for dual layer in the future.
Infact I would be surprised if Pioneer succeeds in adding dual layer support by firmware, specially for the older models.

by **dolphinius_rex** on Mon Dec 08, 2003 11:59 am

A recent news posting on CDRInfo.com confirms that the BenQ 800A is indeed capable of Dual Layer burning, but may or may not be given an official firmware upgrade to do so, most likely dependant (as RJW said) on whether or not Pioneer does it.

by **Ian** on Mon Dec 08, 2003 12:11 pm

The rumor mill is still going strong at cdrinfo...

Once again, I'll believe it when I see it. Other than a few unconfirmed reports, Philips hasn't come out and said anything official yet.

by **RJW** on Mon Dec 08, 2003 1:43 pm

Well that Benq's 800 drive is capable isn't news since Philips gave a demonstration with the philips 8x recorder. We all know it that it can work with the right firmware on MCC's test media.
However the question remains if they can get it work on other media !
That's why Philips keep there mouth closed.

Benq can say as much as they want. But in the end it's Philips and Mitsubishi Chemicals Corporation who decide if Benq can support the complete standard Yes or NO.
Now since all patents are still not there in ther final version. No one knows ! Even Mitsubishi and Philips do not know it !!

So far manufacturers seem to want there freedom in the production and how more freedom they get the bigger the change that dual layer will require. MCC and Philips will go prety far to secure the support of the format by more companny's. Philips will not make the mistake they allways made in the past. Great product but there the only that is supporting it.

by **Vanderlow** on Mon Dec 08, 2003 3:12 pm

So how does the BenQ800a stand on its own merits a single laser writer?

Also I read in another forum that DVdInfoPro is working on bitsetting capability for the 800a and the 400a.

Lowest price is $133 not bad at all ...if its a good writer.

by **silencer** on Wed Dec 10, 2003 5:21 am

The Bitsetting for BenQ DW800A is already available to be downloaded from BenQ site. So far, the drive works fine with all of the CDR and CDRW media (TDK,Verbatim,Imation,Emtec,Vertec), but havent tried the DVD-R/RW media yet.

I encounter no problem at all on playing all types of DVD medis/format (inc DVD9). And Nero identify it correctly as the main drive beside my existing CDRW drive.

NoTE: Heard that BenQ will charge small amount of fees to enable the drive to be upgraded for double layer burning next month (Sourced is from one of the BenQ's manufacturing facility here)

Than You

by **Rockymaru** on Sun Dec 14, 2003 11:52 pm

Vanderlow wrote:So how does the BenQ800a stand on its own merits a single laser writer?
Lowest price is $133 not bad at all ...if its a good writer.

Yeah, anyone? I'm getting excited about this BenQ800a, but don't want to jump the gun and be stuck w/ a POS CD-RW..

by **aviationwiz** on Mon Dec 15, 2003 12:04 am

If you want a fast drive, that is proven to have high build quality and high write quality, get the PX-708A.

by **RJW** on Mon Dec 15, 2003 12:45 pm

Slowly the information for the Benq drive is comming in.
Okay there are some very bad reviews out there who just look at speed and say the Benq drive is not stable burning while infact the picture is caused by the new OPC Philips Nexperia chipset can use and is used by all Nexperia burners so far. This causes the not straight line at 8x but one with some dips were the speed is below 8x.

by **minchin** on Tue Dec 16, 2003 12:36 am

Latest news from pcdvd.com.tw seems to indicate the BenQ has already made it clear that IT WILL NOT be able to burn dual layer disc.

For those who can read Chinese: http://www.pcdvd.com.tw/showthread.phps ... did=279237

or use some translation program....
IT is supposedly from the custom service of BenQ.
CDRInfo also updated their info:
http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/De ... tedID=4503

Min

by **Rockymaru** on Tue Dec 16, 2003 3:20 pm

Crap!

I previously stated on another thread asking whether or not I should get an 8X now (before X-mas) or wait 'til after to get a dual layer burner but didn't get a response. When are these supposed to come out?
I mean, on one hand I'm very anxious to rid of my HP 8100 CD-RW for a cool fast burning 8X DVD+-R/RW soon! But on the other, dual layer DVD's that can hold twice as much sound tasty.

Any ideas and opinions on what to do would greatly be appreciated.

by **minchin** on Wed Dec 17, 2003 1:41 am

Rockymaru wrote:Crap!

I previously stated on another thread asking whether or not I should get an 8X now (before X-mas) or wait 'til after to get a dual layer burner but didn't get a response. When are these supposed to come out?
I mean, on one hand I'm very anxious to rid of my HP 8100 CD-RW for a cool fast burning 8X DVD+-R/RW soon! But on the other, dual layer DVD's that can hold twice as much sound tasty.

Any ideas and opinions on what to do would greatly be appreciated.

I would not expect any of the current crop of 8x burners to burn dual layer discs.
Buy what you think is worth your bucks. If the advertise feature is good enough for the price you want to pay, buy it. If it really turns out that it can be upgraded, it would be a positive surprise. Don't buy it for something that may or may not come true.
If you truely need -R compatibility, why buy the NU-081 or the BenQ800A and rely on some rumor that may or may not come true when the Optorite0401 or the Liteon 811S is just $15-20 more?

Min

by **Halc** on Wed Dec 17, 2003 5:30 am

It'll be interesting to see how even the best of the upcoming dual layer burners will handle the quality of the burn on the two layers.

I mean, even the best of current recorders still have serious quality issues on many DVD-R and especially DVD+R media, when burning as low as 4x (not to mention 8x).

Getting all those problems weened out and then burning on the lower laywer without impacting the upper layer and doing all this at 8x (or faster in the future)?

Well, let me say that it's going to be one hell of a challenge to accomplish that with high quality results.

I remember when I burned cd-r discs in 92 and the quality was good even with the very first burners. Today I can still get excellent initial results, if I carefully pick the burner/media/speed.

However, with the new generation DVD-burners it seems that the first two generations are always an open beta test with paying customers and produce sub-par or semi-working results, depending on media and the burning hardware.

I hope I'm completely wrong, but the very little I've learned about DVD disc technology make me believe otherwise :)

cheers,
Halc

PS I have nothing against dual layer burning. I just wish it was perfected a bit more before being pushed out as beta-firmwares to the market and to an audience of which 99.999% have never even heard of CDRLabs or who don't know what PI/PO mean :)

by **Gazza** on Wed Dec 17, 2003 3:52 pm

Halc wrote:It'll be interesting to see how even the best of the upcoming dual layer burners will handle the quality of the burn on the two layers.

I mean, even the best of current recorders still have serious quality issues on many DVD-R and especially DVD+R media, when burning as low as 4x (not to mention 8x).

Getting all those problems weened out and then burning on the lower laywer without impacting the upper layer and doing all this at 8x (or faster in the future)?

Well, let me say that it's going to be one hell of a challenge to accomplish that with high quality results.

I remember when I burned cd-r discs in 92 and the quality was good even with the very first burners. Today I can still get excellent initial results, if I carefully pick the burner/media/speed.

However, with the new generation DVD-burners it seems that the first two generations are always an open beta test with paying customers and produce sub-par or semi-working results, depending on media and the burning hardware.

I hope I'm completely wrong, but the very little I've learned about DVD disc technology make me believe otherwise

cheers,
Halc

PS I have nothing against dual layer burning. I just wish it was perfected a bit more before being pushed out as beta-firmwares to the market and to an audience of which 99.999% have never even heard of CDRLabs or who don't know what PI/PO mean

I think that mostly refers to the fact that DVD burning tolerances are extremely fine or non existant, will be interested to see how it all pans out tho.
Don't they sandwich the layers together when making commercial dual layered dvd's ?

by **burninfool** on Mon Dec 29, 2003 9:28 pm

"If you truely need -R compatibility, why buy the NU-081 or the BenQ800A and rely on some rumor that may or may not come true when the Optorite0401 or the Liteon 811S is just $15-20 more? "

Because they support Mt.Rainer and you can set booktype for DVD+R and RW.

by **dodecahedron** on Tue Dec 30, 2003 9:34 am

now you can set the booktype on LiteOn DVD writers too.
http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=14267

Dual layer burning function for BenQ DW800A

Dual layer burning function for BenQ DW800A

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