|
Based on all the DVD writers I've had the pleasure of looking at,
I can honestly say that those drives from BenQ are indeed the most
impressive in terms of overall performance. No other drive has impressed me
more, and this is why I was eagerly awaiting their next release.
Unfortunately, the BenQ DW1640 took quite some time to hit the market, and
to this day, the retail model is practically impossible to acquire in the US.
Fortunately, after some long hard searching, I was able to come across one.
Let's take it for a spin and see if it is indeed as impressive as their
previous models.
Note: This article was edited after finding that BenQ released a
new and very important firmware upgrade. Throughout the review, you
may see some comments regarding the firmware. I typically wouldn't do
this to begin with, but I felt it was definitely worth the extra hours of
testing. Anyways, I felt this was the proper way to approach this particular
review.
Packaging & Contents
Despite how difficult it is to obtain a retail model of the DW1640,
many will be somewhat disappointed with what is included.
|
**click to enlarge** |
**click to enlarge** |
Unlike their previous models, the retail packaging only included a manual
and software disc. In fact, only two mounting screws
were included! No blank discs, bezels or cables here. What you
are really getting is a much more appealing front bezel...that's all.
The Drive
|
**click to enlarge** |
**click to enlarge** |
Now, the most noticeable feature with the retail model is certainly the
front bezel design. The now readily available OEM model is not as
appealing and lacks the BenQ logo. Since the release of the DW1620,
I've been quite fond of this bezel design.
**click to enlarge**
Unlike a majority of other manufacturers who falsely advertise
their drives as half-height, the BenQ DW1640 can certainly be considered
one. It happens to be only less than a half inch bigger than the true
half-height drives from Lite-ON. Above is a shot next to a Lite-ON
SOHW-1673S for comparison.
**click to enlarge**
The
label on our DW1640 did have a manufactured date of May 2005. Despite
the somewhat older date, this drive has truly been quite difficult to find
for the past two months, especially for those in the USA. OEM models
just recently started popping up at a majority of well-known online shops
but the retail version of the drive is yet to be seen here.
**click to enlarge**
The
drive features a unique cooling
mechanism referred to as ADCS. The Anti-Dust Cooling System redirects the heat flow out
of the drive, while still providing protection from dust.
Specifications
Here are the detailed specs taken
for BenQ's Global Website...
|
Model |
DW1640 |
|
Performance |
[DVD-R DL]
Data Transfer Rate /double layer
write*: 44.32 Mbit/sec (4X)
*Now available thru f/w upgrade. Click
here to download the DVD-R DL supported firmware.
[DVD+R DL]
Data Transfer / double layer write: 88.64 Mbit (8x)
[DVD+R/+RW]
Data Transfer Rate /write: 177.28 Mbit/sec (16X)
Data Transfer Rate /rewrite: 88.64 Mbit/sec (8X)
[DVD-R/-RW]
Data Transfer Rate /write: 177.28 Mbit/sec (16X)
Data Transfer Rate /rewrite: 66.48 Mbit/sec (6X)
[DVD ROM]
Data Transfer Rate /read: 177.28 Mbit/sec (16X, Max.)
Access time: 120 ms
[CD]
Data Transfer Rate /write: 7200 KByte/sec (48X)
Data Transfer Rate /rewrite: 4800 KByte/sec (32X)
Data Transfer Rate /read: 7200 KByte/sec (48X, Max.)
Access time: 120 ms |
|
Interface |
E-IDE/ATAPI |
|
Supported IDE Mode |
PIO
mode 0/1/2/3/4
DMA mode 0/1/2
UDMA mode 0/1/2 |
|
Buffer Size |
2MB |
|
Firmware Upgrade |
Flash memory upgradable |
|
Writing Mode |
[DVD]
DVD Data and Video
[CD]
Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Multisession, Packet Writing
(fixed & variable packet), CD Digital Audio, Direct-Over-Write on
CD-RW, Test Write |
|
Disc Size |
[DVD]
120 mm disc
[CD] 80 and 120 mm discs
|
|
Disc Formats |
[DVD]
DVD+R DL 8.5GB, DVD+R 4.7GB, DVD+RW
4.7GB (Closed Session), DVD-R 4.7GB, DVD-RW 4.7GB (closed session),
DVD-Video, DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-18
[CD]
CD-DA, CD-ROM XA (m1, m2f1/m2f2), CD-R, CD-RW, Bootable CD,
Photo CD (single & multi-session), Video CD, Super Video CD,
CD-Extra, Mixed-mode CD, CD-Text |
|
Power Requirement |
+5V
± 5%, ripple: 100mVpp
+12V ± 10%, ripple: 200mVpp |
|
Environment Conditions |
Operating temperature: 5°C~50°C at humidity of 8~80% RH
Non-operating temperature: -40°C~60°C at humidity: 5%~95% RH |
|
Reliability Characteristics |
MTBF:
125,000 POH (20%)
Non-recoverable read error < 1 block in 1012 bits (CD and
DVD) |
|
Physical Characteristics |
Dimension: 146 X 42 X 178 mm (W x H x D)
Weight: 820 g |
|
OS Compatibility |
Windows XP / 2000 / ME / 98SE
* QVideo and
QSuite are supported by Windows XP and 2000 only. |
Minimum System
Requirement |
‧
IBM PC compatible
‧ Pentium III 550MHz CPU
‧ 128MB RAM
‧ 100MB free HDD space for CD/DVD recording related software
installation
‧ 1GB free HDD space for CD image recording (10GB for DVD authoring)
is recommended. |
|
