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In House Review - BenQ DW1655 16x DVD±RW

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In House Review - BenQ DW1655 16x DVD±RW

Postby Ian on Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:45 am

Today CDRLabs takes a long overdue look at BenQ's latest LightScribe capable DVD writer, the DW1655. While affordably priced, the drive features some pretty impressive specs including 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R DL and 4x DVD-R DL writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Along with support for LightScribe, the DW1655 also includes features like BenQ's Write Right, OverSpeed and SolidBurn technologies.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DW1655 and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the DW1655 have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=288]Image
BenQ DW1655 16x DVD±RW[/url]

As usual, if you have any comments or questions about this review or the BenQ DW1655, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.
Last edited by Ian on Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby dolphinius_rex on Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:27 pm

With both Khypermedia and Playo DVD+RDL media available, it would be nice to see a little more variaty on the DVD+RDL tests...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=406

http://www.meritline.com/playo-dl-dvd-p ... media.html
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Postby Ian on Tue Jul 25, 2006 12:34 pm

Damn, I forgot I had those PlayO discs. I'm trying to get some Ritek 8x DVD+R DL media as well.
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Postby RJW on Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:12 am

Incase of the Ritke 8x Dual layers I say which ones or are you getting them both ?

For the folks who don't know Ritek has 2 different type of 8x Dual Layers on the market

RITEK-D03 = 2P method

RITEK-S04 = Inversed Stack
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Postby Ian on Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:20 am

I'm not sure RJW... whatever they send me I'll use.
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Postby dolphinius_rex on Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:11 pm

Ian wrote:I'm not sure RJW... whatever they send me I'll use.


Chances are Ritek USA is unaware of there being 2 types, and would dismiss the second type (which ever one they don't have) as being nothing but a rumour :P
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Postby stix on Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:40 pm

At last, Great to see a review of the 1655 ! Thanks !

Can the 1650 be considered to be the exact same drive as the 1655, without LightScribe?

Other than the LightScribe feature, does anyone have a brief opinion of the 1655 versus 1640? (Dolph?)
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Postby Ian on Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:26 pm

stix wrote:Can the 1650 be considered to be the exact same drive as the 1655, without LightScribe??


From what I can gather, they both use the same hardware.

Other than the LightScribe feature, does anyone have a brief opinion of the 1655 versus 1640? (Dolph?)


Personally, I like the 1640 better. In most cases, the writing times are faster (with WOPC enabled) and you can write to 2.4x DL media at 8x.
Last edited by Ian on Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby dolphinius_rex on Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:43 pm

I think SolidBurn works better on the DW1640, but on certain media types the DW1655 CAN outperform the DW1640. I use the DW1655 most of the time now for burning though, mainly because I simply need to retire my older drives at somepoint :P
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Postby [buck] on Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:58 pm

On the limited selection of media I use regularly (mainly MCC004 and YUDEN000T02 :P), my DW1650 is a bit better. Really, I don't think it matters too much...
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Postby Scour on Sat Aug 05, 2006 10:48 pm

Nice review, Ian :)

Very good writer again from Benq

But maybe it´s the last real Benq?
Benq DW 1640 and 1650 , Plextor PX-755, Pioneer BDR-208 and 209D, LG GH24NSC0, LG BH16NS40 and 16NS55, Liteon ihas 124F and 324F, Pioneer DVR-215 and S21, Samsung SH-224DB and 224GB, and some more

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Postby Ian on Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:03 pm

Scour wrote:But maybe it´s the last real Benq?


Yeah, it sounds like it. Judging from Dolph's comments in another thread, it might be the last BenQ in the US too.
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Postby [buck] on Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:30 pm

I'm hoping we'll see the DW1805. I think that drive is supposed to be Nexperia-based.
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Postby Ian on Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:10 am

It looks like the DW1805 might be. The DW1800 is probably an NEC or Panasonic chipset though.
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Postby weetoots on Sat Aug 26, 2006 2:48 am

How far off are the 18xx series? My 1640 just died from trayitis.
I don't really need light scribe but for a few bucks more, why not a 1655. However I don't see any stock at Zipzoomfly, which usually means out for good.
I'll check newegg, but they rip me off on shipping to Hawaii.. :cry:

Fresh ideas?

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Postby bill on Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:15 am

weetoots wrote:How far off are the 18xx series? My 1640 just died from trayitis.
I don't really need light scribe but for a few bucks more, why not a 1655. However I don't see any stock at Zipzoomfly, which usually means out for good.
I'll check newegg, but they rip me off on shipping to Hawaii.. :cry:

Fresh ideas?

Al


Hi

Try here- http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic. ... 231#159231
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Postby weetoots on Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:18 pm

Thanks Bill, message received. Off to Compusa to check.

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