CDFreaks presents BenQ DW1670 Preview

I want to buy 1650, but the problem is, the only available BenQ in Indonesia stores is the 1670. So do you think it's safe to buy 1670 because there'll be a firmware, or should I wait until the firmware is confirmed? Thanks.

well, just look at the 1st page of this thread (post #4)

If there isn't DW1650/1655 anyway, I would consider another drive (like Pioneer 111) instead of DW1670.

so basically the 1670 isn't really an upgrade from the 1640/1650 but just kind of downgrade?

I actually have a question about DW1670 for the author of the review. This drive actually use the same chipset as famous DQ60 (Teac DW516e), but as I understand, optics (PUH and maybe even chipset board partially, aside the firmware) are different from that DQ60 model, am i right? Actually, I don't think DQ60 have bad optics, cause it is far better reader than BenQ Philips models (better correction algorithms and so), but the firmware or hardware board itself was the main problem. That could explain why is this model so much better than DQ60 itself, but yet again, not so good as previous series.

So, in short, my question here is what BenQ essentially changed from original Teac design to improve this drive using Panasonic chipset?

Hello El_Mariachi_X (or Nil Einne, or whatever) your completely unfounded opinions on products you neither own nor have ever tested are hilarious. Endless speculation about things you don't understand is good for the soul, please keep it up.

looks like BenQ drops down to Liteon "quality"

Have you been in the LiteOn forum lately.

no but I still have my Liteon as well as my BenQ 1640. In terms of write quality and noise factor there are worlds between them - reading the preview I am under the impression I read more a Liteon review than a BenQ.

am I wrong?

LiteOn has come a long way with the 6S series and even the 5S is now not far behind the 6S. I personally think the LiteOn 6S drive leaves this drive for dead, in write quality and especially in features.

I've skimed through the SHM-165H6S review and I am not really impressed about the write quality - still way to go to even meet a 1640 write.

However, I agree for a Liteon it got much better

That review was done with very old firmware. Since then LiteOn have added to the 5S and 6S (and improved) HyperTuning/OverSpeed and Online HT (WOPC), activated by a special SmartBurn tool, plus they have released DVDScan for Jitter, Beta and TE/TF scanning. Check out these threads:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=173404
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=182529
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=181658
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=178170

Plus the 5S and 6S can burn 16x +R with much lower PIFs than the 1640.

Sorry for being off topic here. I won't say any more...

I don't know who El_Mariachi is. And you're right, I don't own a 1670. I have never suggested at any stage that I do. I do own a 1640 BTW.

However I have looked at reviews before. Most reviews I have seen have suggested that the burn quality of the 1670 doesn't rival the 1640 or 1650. I don't seem to be the only one who has this opinion either. If you have reviews which show otherwise, you're welcome to link to them.

In any case, the 1670 definitely doesn't have several features the 1650 and 1640 has including (from memory) quality scans, overspeed and solid burn. I'm not even sure if it overburns either. It does have DVD-RAM support and I have stated, if this is a feature you want, then perhaps you should consider the 1670. As I have also stated, since the 1670 uses a completely totally new chipset for Benq, it's not that surprising that it doesn't compete against the 1650 and 1640. In time, as I have also stated, perhaps it will come to rival the 1650 or 1640, perhaps it won't. We can expect, as I have also stated, that Benq will be good with firmware support.

If you believe any of these are incorrect, you're welcome to explain why or offer alterrnative opinions.

BTW, there is nothing wrong or unusual about offering opionons based on reviews. Indeed, offering opinions based on several reviews may be better then an opinion based on your own experience. It's rather difficult to actually properly test many products, people with experience may have the time and the resources but many people don't.

Admitedlty, it has been a while since I last looked at reviews, so perhaps things have changed with new firmware (as I have suggested might happen). I did neglect to mention this and I apologise. I also perhaps didn't make it clear enough that my opinion was based on reviews, although I do think I made it clear it was an opinion and as I've stated, I never suggested I did have a 1670 or have ever tested one.

I wonder what will Philips release next... After all BENQ 1650 has same chipset as 1660 model from Philips, 1655 has same chipset as 1668 from Philips. So maybe we could buy Philips then... I am not sure about overburning and WOPC, but it supports SolidBurn and OverSpeed. Reading speed can be increased from 12x to 16x with MCSE tool.

someone said something about 1670 being a better reader. it just happens to be the case for me: it reads faster than 1640 but it can't read scratched and poor quality discs as good as 1640..

This isnt even lightscribe enabled?? I would rather go with DW 1655

Yo-

Exactly the reason I bought my 1655 last night-eh!

Sorry, see below. (How to delete posts?!)

And the promo code trick is...?

Tx!

Hi,
thanks to Wesociety for the preview, as thanks to all CdFreak for all their reviews and this very nice interesting and extremely helpful forum.
Sorry if it is repetitive and ingenuos,
but, can some expert explain me the difference between benQ 1640, 1650, and 1655? I am going to buy one dvd writer, and about benq in newegg only find the 1650, but here there are no reviews of it, while a lot of great talking about 1640, so, i would like to know if they are just slightly different but basically the same and the 1650 is a good choice exactly as the 1640, or if better to look for a 1640, or wait to see if te 1670 become better. I mean, in newegg too I read not so good user review for 1670 than for 1650... No idea about 1655.
I need the drive to function well in a external combo enclosure. And I worry more abot quality and compatibility of burned dvd and compatibility of drive with medias and with enclosures than of super maxi ultra speed.
The other question is: really the sony 820 family is a BenQ oem? Which BenQ? Incredible that they are the same and worth the double!

why i can´t edit it? i forgot to select the option to receive mail if someone answer...

U can only edit til 30 mins after u wrote it

No!?

I read that the 1670 will be available in a sata interface. Does anyone have any information on this availability???

is the 1670 available in the us yet?

Yes, Available under various brand, Sony 820A, IO Magic brand. I got mine a few months back, they even have newer firmware launched 2 days ago, and you might find a good deal in this thread:

Link