New Philips DL DVD Writers

[Ian]

From here:

http://www.press.ce.philips.com/press/documents596.html

DVDRW885


DVDRW1640

[Ian]

DVDRW1640 Specs:

http://www.press.ce.philips.com/upload/ ... eaflet.pdf

Writing Speeds
DVD+R: 16x
DVD+R DL 2.4x
DVD+RW 4x
DVD-R: 8x
DVD-RW: 4x
CD-R: 40x
CD-RW 24x

Read Speeds
DVD-ROM 16x
DVD±R/RW 10x
DVD+R DL 10x
CD-ROM 40x
CD-RW 32x

Access Times
CD-ROM 120ms
DVD-ROM 140ms

[Ian]

DVDRW885 Specs

http://www.press.ce.philips.com/upload/ ... eaflet.pdf

Writing Speeds
DVD+R: 8x
DVD+R DL 2.4x
DVD+RW 4x
CD-R: 24x
CD-RW 10x

Read Speeds
DVD-ROM 12x
DVD±R/RW 7x
DVD+R DL 7x
CD-ROM 40x
CD-RW 32x

Access Times
CD-ROM 120ms
DVD-ROM 140ms

This drive will also be getting 4x DVD-R and 2x DVD-RW writing speeds some time in the fall.

[MikeTR]

The DVDRW1640 looks very interesting. Guess this would be a good time to harrass my friends @Philips for a 'test-drive'. Fat chance though, I fear.
But I'm glad to see that Philips seems determined to make a strong start in the DualLayer battle. It's a shame that in the past they weren't able to carry their technological advantage further than they have done. Definately a case of great R&D and lousy marketing.

[Ian]

Yeah, but they make most of their money by licensing out their technologies to other companies. As it is, a lot more companies than I expected went with the Nexperia chipset.

[dodecahedron]

DVDRW1640 Specs:

http://www.press.ce.philips.com/upload/ ... eaflet.pdf

Writing Speeds
DVD+R: 16x
DVD+R DL 2.4x
DVD+RW 4x
CD-R: 40x
CD-RW 24x

Read Speeds
DVD-ROM 16x
DVD±R/RW 10x
DVD+R DL 10x
CD-ROM 40x
CD-RW 32x

Access Times
CD-ROM 120ms
DVD-ROM 140ms

you forgot DVD-R/W writing speeds!

[MikeTR]

Yeah, but they make most of their money by licensing out their technologies to other companies.

True, in B2B they're a big player, but their presence/image in the consumer market is not as good as it could have been.
And that's not just a case of priority, but also of bad marketing.
Right now it's cheaper to buy a BenQ than it is to buy a Philips in Holland. That shouldn't be the case, now should it?

[Ian]

you forgot DVD-R/W writing speeds!

So add em! You're a mod.

[MikeTR]

you forgot DVD-R/W writing speeds!

So add em! You're a mod.

LOL

[jase]

I think a lot of Philips's problems stem though from bad reputation, derived not only from bad marketing (people thinking all Philips formats are going to fail; I hear a lot of that) but also the technical quality and reliability of certain products over the years.

The Philips consumer DVD+R recorders are a case in point. Philips overmarketed their capabilities (editing etc which aren't as good as the adverts they put out), but more seriously, units such as the 880 have developed a reputation for breaking down. For a premium brand, competing with the Japanese, this is very damaging.

10-15 years ago I swore by Philips as a brand I could trust would give good service. That has been eroded over to the years to the point where I'd trust my hard-earned money to Toshiba, Sony or Matsushita any day over Philips now.

[MikeTR]

I have to agree with you on that. The only device made by Philips I still can swear on is my TV. They still make great tubes (as far as quality, not necessarilly feature-wise).

[dodecahedron]

you forgot DVD-R/W writing speeds!

So add em! You're a mod.

shamefully hiding under a rock.

[BurninMan921]

I'll take a 16x one! So long as the write quality is GREAT. More interested in the DL, though - and not for movies. I've got (almost) every single Simpsons episode sitting on my system still. 8.5GB/disc would come in VERY handy...