With the dvd640i, HP has introduced one of the first LightScribe capable DVD writers. This innovative technology lets users burn graphics and text onto the tops of specially coated discs. While this will appeal to some, first generation drives like the dvd640i aren't for everyone. Designed primarily for its LightScribe capabilities, HP has had to make some sacrifices in the way of performance, keeping the dvd640i from being one of the faster DVD writers currently available.
Like the BenQ drive its based on, the dvd640i can write to DVD+R media at 16x. At this speed, the drive took a little more than 6 minutes to turn out an entire 4.7GB DVD. Unfortunately, the dvd640i wasn't nearly as fast with other types of recordable media. While the drive performed as expected, its 8x DVD-R and 2.4x DVD+R DL writing speeds put it at a disadvantage in some of our tests.
When it came to media compatibility, the dvd640i gave us some mixed results. The drive wrote tomost of our test media at its rated speed, but like its BenQ counterpart, it would not write to any 8x DVD+R media at 16x. While this is becoming less of an issue as more 16x media becomes available, it's still a nice feature to have. The dvd640i's writing quality was pretty good for the most part. However, even with the latest firmware there is still room for improvement, especially with the 16x DVD+R discs from Optodisc and RiDATA.
HP's new DVD writer performed pretty well in our DVD read tests. The dvd640i read both single layer DVD-ROM's and DVD-Videos at speeds as high as 16x and had some very good seek times. Reading recordable media wasn't a problem for the drive either. In our tests, the dvd640i read DVD±R, DVD±RW and DVD±R DL media at a respectable 8x.
Reading and writing CD's wasn't a problem for the dvd640i either. In our tests, the drive was able to read all types of media at 40x and had some good seek times. This level of performance carried over to our DAE tests, where HP's new drive ripped audio CD's at 40x. As a writer, the dvd640i performed as expected. The drive's 40x CD-R writing speed did put it at a slight disadvantage in some of our tests. However, its writing quality was very good.
The dvd640i also has its share of features. To prevent buffer underruns, it has a 2048KB buffer that is backed up by some sort of buffer underrun technology. The drive also has a good number of writing and rewriting speeds to choose from and has the ability to set the book type of DVD+R/RW and DVD+R DL media. Most notable though, is the dvd640i's LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling system. While a nice alternative to markers and stick on labels, it does have its down sides, including long printing times and the lack of color.
HP's new DVD writer is shipping now and can be purchased through some of the vendors listed on Pricegrabber.Prices vary depending on the seller, but the retail version of the dvd640i can be picked up for less than $80.
| HP dvd640i 16x DVD±RW |
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| Features: Installation: Performance: |
8 9 8 |
| Overall: | 8 |
Highs:
- Supports LightScribe technology
- Writes to DVD+R media at 16x
- Writes to DVD-RW and DVD+RW media at 4x
- Reads single layer DVD-ROM's at 16x
- Reads DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW and DVD+R DL mediaat 8x
- Good transfer speeds with all types of CD media
- Features 40x CD-R and 24x CD-RW writing speeds
- Good DAE speeds
- Low seek times
- Good CD writing quality
- Supports Seamless Link buffer underrun protection
- Includes software from Sonic, ArcSoft, CyberLink and SureThing
- Supports 99 minute media
- Supports bitsetting for DVD+R/RW and DVD+R DL media
- Writes to DVD-R media at only 8x
- Writes to DVD+R DL media at only 2.4x
- Cannot write to 8x DVD+R media at 16x
- Questionable writing quality with some 16x DVD+R media
- Has a 2048KB buffer
- More expensive than normal 16x DVD writers
