I/O Magic 16x DL at Circuit City?

by **Intimidator** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 2:45 pm

I just noticed in the sale flyer today that CC has an I/O MAGIC Internal 16x Dual Format Double Layer (+) burner for $59.99 after MIR.

What is the real idenity of this drive? How does this drive compare to the PIO 108 and NEC 3500?

What burning software comes in this package?

Thanks!

by **DVD_ADDICT** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 3:21 pm

it could either be a BENQ 1620 or BTC drive. if you want bitsetting for DVD+R media then this is the drive to get if you get a BENQ one. PIONEER 108 only has bitsetting for DUAL LAYER media, BENQ has bitsetting for DUAL & SINGLE layer media.

i'm gonna go to COMPUSA to have them price match CIRCUIT CITY for the I/O MAGIC 16x dvd burner. i cross my fingers that i'll get a BENQ 1620 drive. Hahaahaha! with my luck i'll probably get a BTC drive then i'll just return it. :wink:

by **bingo13** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 3:27 pm

DVD_ADDICT wrote:
i'm gonna go to COMPUSA to have them price match CIRCUIT CITY for the I/O MAGIC 16x dvd burner. i cross my fingers that i'll get a BENQ 1620 drive. Hahaahaha! with my luck i'll probably get a BTC drive then i'll just return it.

The one I picked up at CompUsa today (had to fight them for the price match) is a BenQ1620.

by **bingo13** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 3:42 pm

Intimidator wrote:
What burning software comes in this package?

Thanks!

You will receive Nero 6 SE (OEM version) or NTI CD/DVD Maker 6.? depending upon the drive manufacturer. The relabled BenQ 1620 I bought today had Nero. I have read that Nero 5.5 or Pinnacle Instant CD/DVD is also shipped by I/O Magic in certain OEM/Retail packages.

by **Intimidator** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:00 pm

Is there any way to tell from the outside of the box whether it has a BENQ or BTC drive? There should be a way to tell this like with Lite-ON and Cenedyne drives.

So is it safe to say that if I get a BENQ that will come with NERO? Do they tell you on the outside of the the box what software comes with it?

I am not sure what bit-setting means so not sure if I need that or not.

I seem to be hearing the most about PIO 108 vs NEC, how does this compare to those two besides bitsetting?

Thanks for you time!

by **Intimidator** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:03 pm

How does BENQ drive deal with various media?

The Pio and NEC seems to have no problem with a broad range of media.

What media does the BENQ 1620 prefer the best?

by **Intimidator** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 4:10 pm

Does this BENQ use DVD-R media as well. From what I can tell it is only DVD+R which could cause some compatibility issues in DVD home players.

by **DVD_ADDICT** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:29 pm

crap i got a BTC drive from COMPUSA. the outside of the box the manufactured date says 11/2004, F:A07F which is the firmware of the drive. DVDINFO PRO shows the drive info. as DVDRW IDE 16X. i'm gonna return the drive to COMPUSA. they matched priced CIRCUIT CITY by giving me a $10.00 gift card plus the $20.00 mail in rebate form.

by **Intimidator** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:09 pm

I found this post that may help us all:

http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=18262

by **Intimidator** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:24 pm

I just checked out Circuit City's site for this drive:

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/998 ... on.do#tabs

Under the specs it says:

Max rewrite speed 4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 24x CD-RW

Which according to the previous link this must be a BENQ drive?

Can anyone confirm?

by **bingo13** on Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:31 pm

Intimidator wrote:Does this BENQ use DVD-R media as well. From what I can tell it is only DVD+R which could cause some compatibility issues in DVD home players.

The drive handles both media types fine and to me is a better overall drive with the latest firmware than the NEC or PIO. Each of these drives are very good and it depends on what your needs are as to the best choice. The BenQ is a better +R writer, faster at 16x, and allows full bitsetting. Nothing of this really matters as the new drives from BenQ, NEC, PIO, and LG will be here shortly. :wink:

Reviews here-
http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=245

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Reviews/Specific.aspx?ArticleId=11657

I searched through the CompUSA stock and found two with the BenQ specs on the box. Your mileage will vary at retail.

by **Intimidator** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:18 pm

I just returned from Circuit City and confirmed that the I/O MAGIC that is on sale there is a BENQ 1620 drive for those that are interested.

by **DVD_ADDICT** on Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:06 pm

I checked out the OFFICE DEPOT near my office which they had in stock the I/O MAGIC 16x burner.

I checked the DL speed which read 2.4x & it is a BENQ 1620 drive. I just took out the drive from the box and on the drive itself it says BENQ 1620, firmware is B7C9 which I will need to research on flashing the drive. I'm a happy camper now!

by **Intimidator** on Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:53 pm

DVD_addict.....here is a nice place to hang out for BENQ questions:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=92

I would flash to B7P9 and NOT the B7S9 there seems to be many more issues in performance with the *S9 version. It was geared to the china market and able to handle the cheaper media.

I will have to wait until after Christmas to flash my drive.

by **DVD_ADDICT** on Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:46 pm

DVD_addict.....here is a nice place to hang out for BENQ questions:

http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=92

I'm already a member there and just posted a question regarding which firmware was better between B7P9 or B7S9. Thanks for the info. on which firmware works better. I'll be flashing my drive soon.

I/O Magic 16x DL at Circuit City?

I/O Magic 16x DL at Circuit City?

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