External Enclosure that allows full speed burns

[bobmitchell]

I have a Benq DW1640 that I would like to put into an external enclosure. Is there one that will allow full speed 16X burns? I prefer firewire / usb 2.0

Thanks

Bob

[DrageMester]

Since the BenQ DW1640 operates in UDMA Mode 2, I don't think you'll be able to burn at 16x with any external enclosure. 12x is the fastest I would hope for and you can achieve that with e.g. an enclosure based on Prolific PL3507 chipset.

[Gen-An]

Since the BenQ DW1640 operates in UDMA Mode 2, I don't think you'll be able to burn at 16x with any external enclosure. 12x is the fastest I would hope for and you can achieve that with e.g. an enclosure based on Prolific PL3507 chipset.

I ran a Sony DRU-810A (rebadged DW1640) in a Mad Dog USB 2.0 enclosure with (I think) a Cypress chipset. As you mentioned, the UDMA2 limited the burn speed. Crossflashing to an EW164B sets the drive to UDMA4 and makes full 16x burns in external enclosures possible (I know you know this Drage, but the info is for the OP).

[Dartman]

Also, firewire is more forgiving then USB for burn speed so get a good combo unit that can do both flavors and you might have better luck if USB is still slow with external Firmware. Some of the new Pioneer and LG drives are allready using UDMA 4 or better so they might do better in a external that a BenQ unit might not in.
I have a Vantec NexStar2 that has both and works full speed with the BenQs as long as it has external FW and is on firewire...

[TCAS]

I agree with DragMater, with retail External Drive" there is very good chance you reach specified speed but with having Internal made house in enclosure I would be surprised if you can reach the goal.

[MacClipper]

http://forums.vr-zone.com/showpost.php? ... ostcount=1