Buying Benq 1620...need a few answers 1st

[Denvers Dawgs]

I'm going to buy the Benq 1620, looked at newegg.com and it was about $54. My question is there are 2 models at that site the dw1620 & the dw1620 PRO. The only difference I can see is the PRO writes DL @ 4x. Anyone know about this model. Should I just get the original1620 and just update firmware when I get it? Would love to get some recommendations. Not on other writers but just of the 1620. Can't change my mind thats what I'm getting thanx.....

http://www.newegg.com/app/SearchProductResult.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0

Also why is the black cheaper then the beige?

[lumis]

there is no physical difference between the 2 drives, only the firmware.

when you recieve the drive, it wont be identified as a benq drive in the device manager, probably "atapi.. something"..

you can get hacked firmwares for the drive here;

http://dvdpro.club.st/firmware/BENQ_FW.htm

the drives change prices everyday (black & beige), the cheapest i've seen the drive is $52.99 shipped.

[fritzi93]

Two interesting features on this drive: WOPC (Walking Optimal Power Control), and BLER OPC (Block Error Rate Optimal Power Control). The latter is specifically meant to improve the burn near the end of the disc.

A number of posters over at the cdfreaks BenQ forum have complained about slow write rate. WOPC is suspected to cause this. I had a couple DVDs do it until I started running QScan first and then setting write speed in DVDDecrypter.

Supposedly the latest firmware has modified the WOPC algorithm. I'm staying with P9 until there's more feedback. I believe Budz also uses B7P9 firmware no problem.

If it's anything to go by, it has been suggested that the burner is touchy about software conflicts. One guy had to stop Alcohol drives from loading, Nero comes in for some suspicion, etc. Having more than a couple burn programs is asking for trouble, apparently, also packet-writing software.

Get QScan and the Bitsetting Utility at:

http://www.benq-eu.com/Products/DVDRewriter/index.cfm?Product=443

I'm very pleased with mine. Good luck.

[Denvers Dawgs]

So should I just get the other 1620, not the PRO and update the firmware to P9?

fritzi93
What write speed do you get on DL media? 2.4x or 4x?

[fritzi93]

I do the Verbatims at 2.4x. It'll go 4x, but QScan TE/FE test fails at 4x. I'm too chicken (or too cheap) to try faster than 2.4x. Yeah, just upgrade your firmware.

[budz]

Yup, I use the B7P9 firmware with no problems. As already stated the difference between PRO/OEM is the DUAL LAYER speed. There have been reports of the OEM drives manufactured in Oct.- Dec.2004 had quality control problems. Some have opt to pay a little more for the retail PRO version. I have the I/O MAGIC rebadged BENQ 1620's.

If you do get OEM the drive may come with the "G" series firmware which you can cross flash the drive to the "B" firmware. The link provided in the other post has the files to cross flash to "B" firmware. If you get a drive with the "B" firmware just use the official B7P9 firmware from the BENQ site.
In my experience the B7TP firmware didn't work well for me. The latest firmware B7U9 has some problems so I wouldn't flash the drive with that one.

[Heff]

You can also stay with the G series and upgrade to P level and it will be a Pro and you can back flash a T firmware to P if you like. Just get the burner you want based on whether you need the software or not and/or the differences in looks ( faceplate).

[henry_nettles]

Firmware flashing is fairly straightforward and easy on these drives, you can do it from within windows. The drives are the same hardware (except for minor differences in the faceplate, not affecting the operation in any way). I have purchased a total of 3 of these, all OEM, with no problems. I just received the latest one about a week ago from Newegg, and it works just fine. I am playing with the latest firmware (U9), and so far it seems fine. YMMV.

[Denvers Dawgs]

What I'm looking for is to have a benq with 4x dual layer speed. I also only use +R media (verbatim). So the PRO one is one already with the P series firmware? Would this be the P9? I've heard very few bad reports on that firmware, but have heard iffy stuff about U9 & TP. thanx for any info you can provide

[Ma_Jie]

The RETAIL version, i.e., PRO, has the B firmware (BP79, BU79, etc.).

The OEM, like I have, is the G series (G standing for Generic I think).

Either way, when you flash the FW to "P9," whether B or G series, it'll be 4x DL.

I use the G7P9 personally and have yet to burn a coaster.

- MJ

EDIT:

The only difference in the faceplates is, I think, the lack of a BenQ logo on it. Mine just lists all the formats that it's compatible with.

[budz]

What I'm looking for is to have a benq with 4x dual layer speed. I also only use +R media (verbatim). So the PRO one is one already with the P series firmware? Would this be the P9? I've heard very few bad reports on that firmware, but have heard iffy stuff about U9 & TP. thanx for any info you can provide

It's not a guarantee that the PRO will come equipped with the B7P9 firmware. If it doesn't just download it then flash the drive. I've gone back and forth from B7P9 to B7TP and the latest B7U9. There are no problems in flashing the drive back to a older firmware. B7P9 seems to be the best firmware in my opinion.

[Denvers Dawgs]

why do a lot of people go back and forth between firmwares?

[Ma_Jie]

I think there are a lot of reasons. But one major one, I'd imagine, is for media comptability. In general, the newer the update, the more media it'll support/support already supported media better.

And then some switch between hacked FWs for different reasons: 1) faster rip speed; 2) bitsetting; 3) region-free, etc.

- MJ

[budz]

why do a lot of people go back and forth between firmwares?

some use different brands of dvd media to do scans. in my opinion scans are not so important. what is important is the burnt disc can be played back without any flaws. i've gone back and forth because I wanted to see if the newer firmwares were better with the dvd media that I use. B7P9 works best for me with the brands of dvd media that i use. i use TY DVD+R/-, MAXELL DVD+R/- (RICOH) & DVD+R VERBATIM.

some people love to do scans which is fine if you seem to have problems with using a particular brand of dvd media. therefore they flash their drives with different firmware to see which one fits their needs. it seems some love to do scans to see who has the best scans and so forth. in my opinion what matters is if the disc will be played back on standalone dvd players with no problems. yet one can have a bad scan but the disc will playback fine with no problems.

[Denvers Dawgs]

final question, when I receive my 1620, how do I go about checking the Firmware version?

[fritzi93]

Your firmware will show up in the BenQ Utilities. For example, in Booktype Management where you select drive, the last four characters of the drive identifier will be the firmware. Mine is "ATAPI DVD DD 2X16X4X16 G7P9", same for QScan. DVDinfoPRO will also tell you.

[Denvers Dawgs]

Great thanx.....Just put my order in at newegg....I'm so excited can't wait for it to get here.

I also, found this deal on Verbatim dvd+r DL media 3pk $13.99(rebate)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002LEMWE/002-2597756-0755269?v=glance&...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[budz]

final question, when I receive my 1620, how do I go about checking the Firmware version?

you could use DVDINFO PRO. it will show what firmware is installed.
i haven't tested any DUAL LAYER DVD+R media yet cuz it's too expensive for my taste.

[lumis]

i burned a couple of the verbatim dual layer dvd+r's.. it went pretty well. they played on everything i tried, except my ps2.. but it has a bad laser, so i wasnt really expecting it to play.

i outputted the vobs/bups/ifos with tmpgenc dvd author & burned with recordnow max 7.22

[Denvers Dawgs]

Ok Just put my 1620 in my comp. It has firmware G7Z9 says it was made in Oct? Is there a differnece between the G7P9 and B7P9? Which one is better. Also, to flash i use the winflash program, in safe mode, stop all virus firewall stuff running in background, then flash...let it do its thing....restart and vouala! B7P9/G7P9 firmware

[budz]

Ok Just put my 1620 in my comp. It has firmware G7Z9 says it was made in Oct? Is there a differnece between the G7P9 and B7P9? Which one is better. Also, to flash i use the winflash program, in safe mode, stop all virus firewall stuff running in background, then flash...let it do its thing....restart and vouala! B7P9/G7P9 firmware

you don't need to run the windxflash.exe file if you are only going to upgrade to "G7P9" firmware. you only use windxflash.exe if you are going to CROSS FLASH the drive from "G" firmware to the "B" firmware.

to flash to the G7P9 firmware all you do is download the file and flash it. do not have any media in the drive when flashing and turn off programs running in the background.

[Denvers Dawgs]

Which is better more reliable firmware "G" or "B"?

[fritzi93]

AFAIK, no significant difference. If your drive is rebadged, go with G. If you have to RMA, there will be no questions that way, and most defective drives fail in the first month or so. Once you feel you have a keeper, cross-flash if you like. Just my opinion.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I don't have a rebadged 1620, straight from Benq (newegg). Should I just stick with the "G" instead of cross flashing and using the winflash program?

Also, if I stick with the "G" how do I install that firmware. Do I need to use winflash? Where do I get the firmwares from? I am such a newb to flashing.

[fritzi93]

If your drive says BenQ somewhere, no real reason not to go with B. The G7P9 firmware I got here:

http://www.nu-global.com/1_english/3_products/01_ide.php?pID=21

worked within Windows. But others here have given good advice, flashing isn't a big deal.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I don't want to flash, where can I find out if the G7Z9 firmware writes dvd+rDL media 4x. The only reason I want to upgrade firmware is so that I don't have DL burning @ 2.4x.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I don't see the 1620 anywhere on that site?

"EDIT"

I'm an ass you already had it on that one. just noticed the Firmware link on the right....thanks. Should I just stick with the G? I am over analyzing this way to much....

[Denvers Dawgs]

Ok just went to install G7P9 and it said that this firmware is older than that on the drive. What should I do? Go with the P9, since I've heard good things from it. I haven't heard a thing about G7Z9..

[fritzi93]

I haven't heard a thing about G7Z9.

Me either. It's odd that the designation seems to be out of sequence. But if your drive was made in October, I don't see how this is a newer firmware. Isn't the latest one B7U9?

[budz]

just use the G7P9 firmware and don't worry about it saying the firmware is older. it won't hurt the drive in any way. G7P9 does make the drive 4x speed for DVD+R DUAL LAYER .

denver you're making this harder than it really is. just flash the drive with the G7P9. here's the file:

http://dvdpro.club.st/firmware/BENQ_FW.htm
go down to the page where it says 1620 BULK and you'll see the official G7P9 firmware to download. Just download it and double click to flash the drive. you're posting the same questions at the BENQ FORUM. i had a "G" firmware drive and flashed it to G79P without any problems. then I flashed it to the B firmware with no problems as well. G & B firmwares essentially the same. don't make it harder on yourself by over analzying it.