Is there a drive that meets these specs?

[Traveller]

Hi All.

Is there a drive that meets the following specifications?

NOT IMPORTANT:

CDR/RW reading or writing capabilities
Speed (I'd much prefer results over speed)

IMPORTANT:

Can successfully burn as many types of media as possible, including + AND - DL. RAM (with and without cartridge) would be a bonus!
Can playback as many types, brands and qualities of DVD media as possible especially cheap ones (but good ones too)
DVDs created by it will play on almost anything
Obviously as few coasters as possible
TOP quality playback of DVDs
Excellent and reliable for storing audio and data.
I want to avoid having to use firmware, flashing, cross-flashing or whatever else they call it at all costs, so a drive which can do the 'bitsetting' thing already and has no riplock would be a HUGE relief. If it cannot be avoided, then it would be great if it was free and easy to do!
Top results for writing (speed not that important)
Scanning

Not asking for much, am I??!!

It may seem that I want EVERYTHING in the drive, however, I have noticed that speed plays a CRUCIAL part in many users' and expert reviewers' opinions. Since this doesn't apply to me, maybe there is a drive that is deemed to be not so good by most but would be perfect for me.

Thanks.

PS Do all BenQs have riplocks? I have read that they need MCSE to remove the lock. Does this apply to the DW1655 as well?

[CrayonEater]

Plug the +R DL and -R DL and RAM requirements into the search feature under DVD Writers at left. Pay attention to the following brands: Benq, LG, and Lite-On. The rest are mostly rebadged versions of those three, are not available in the US, or don't have bitsetting. Bitsetting is important too if you want best compatibility from the DVD+R you burn. You can also forget the LG if scanning is really that important to you.

If "Can successfully burn as many types of media as possible" you are including the intent to use different brands of media, as well as different formats, you should know right off the bat that bad media=bad results. Remember the rule-of-thumb that only media that's Made in Japan is first-class, with Verbatim being the sole exception to that, also being excellent but usually Made in Taiwan. BTW, mwave.com seems to be running a sale on many of the aforementioned drives.

I believe all Benqs and LGs have Riplock. I don't know about Lite-On though.

[Traveller]

Hi CrayonEater, thanks for the advice.

I've utilised that search feature during my research. It's very helpful. I'm still undecided though!

Thanks.

[GKar]

There are many reviews with actual burn tests for many drives and media types here:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?s=0ee2e6664253d500d23d7b01358920ea&f=61

[Traveller]

Thanks GKar. I also posted at that site also as I find it very useful to get as many different sets of opinions as possible. I am waiting for their review of the 1670.

[CrayonEater]

I have heard people complain because of the new chipset being used in the 1670 being different than the excellent-and-proven one in the 1650. Don't let that dissuade you though, because Benq's have an excellent reputation. (Well, the drives, not the media!

[ark]

Regarding DW1650, my writer (only 6 months and maybe 150 disk writes old) started acting up last week. Created 4 DVD-R coasters and 3 CD-R coasters. Opened up and again lubricated the laser sled slide rail and the screw/nut - finally got it working again. (used a mixture of WD-40 with SAE-40 engine oil, but would prefer Silicone oil - which I could not obtain)
Howevere, seems to be a common problem with all the writers. Only difference is that my Pioneer 107B had done it after 18 months and 800 disk writes later. Could be a deliberate ploy by the manufacturers - so as to sell more.

[budz]

Regarding DW1650, my writer (only 6 months and maybe 150 disk writes old) started acting up last week. Created 4 DVD-R coasters and 3 CD-R coasters. Opened up and again lubricated the laser sled slide rail and the screw/nut - finally got it working again. (used a mixture of WD-40 with SAE-40 engine oil, but would prefer Silicone oil - which I could not obtain)
Howevere, seems to be a common problem with all the writers. Only difference is that my Pioneer 107B had done it after 18 months and 800 disk writes later. Could be a deliberate ploy by the manufacturers - so as to sell more.

Delibrate ploy by the manufacturers!!!! Whatcha been smoking dude!!!!
Every manufacturer of dvd burners will have some quality control issues. Geez, Plextor had numerous RMA's with their 716 models. Just take a look at Cdfreaks.com in the PLEXTOR, LG, PIONEER, BENQ, LITEON/SONY forums you'll see all those manufacturers have quality control issues with many different models. I have (2) BENQ 1620's, (6) BENQ 1640's and (2) 1650's that work fine.

CrayonEater don't hold your breath on BENQ's reputation now because their optical storage division has been sold to LITEON. There already is a messed up link regarding the newest firmwares for the BENQ 1650 & 1655 drives. The download doesn't even work on their website and yet the firmware date is Aug. 25, 2006. I'm sure the LITEON engineers are working hard.

Here read the thread:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=191614

Back to the topic of this thread. MSCE can be used with the BENQ 1650 & 1655 drives. I'd suggest you do some searching and reading at the BENQ FORUM at CdFreaks.com. I'd also suggest the PIONEER 111D drive as another good choice besides the BENQ drives.

Use good quality dvd media then you won't have any problems. Use cheap ass poor quality media= problems

[Traveller]

Thanks everyone, I'll bear all that in mind.

[Denvers Dawgs]

don't hold your breath on BENQ's reputation now because their optical storage division has been sold to LITEON. There already is a messed up link regarding the newest firmwares for the BENQ 1650 & 1655 drives. The download doesn't even work on their website and yet the firmware date is Aug. 25, 2006. I'm sure the LITEON engineers are working hard.

So what are you saying? I have a 1620 and love it and in the future planned on buying another BenQ Drive, when needed because I've has such great success with this drive. Does this mean that BenQ will no longer be so good?

[budz]

don't hold your breath on BENQ's reputation now because their optical storage division has been sold to LITEON. There already is a messed up link regarding the newest firmwares for the BENQ 1650 & 1655 drives. The download doesn't even work on their website and yet the firmware date is Aug. 25, 2006. I'm sure the LITEON engineers are working hard.

So what are you saying? I have a 1620 and love it and in the future planned on buying another BenQ Drive, when needed because I've has such great success with this drive. Does this mean that BenQ will no longer be so good?

Over at the BENQ FORUM there was a announcement about the 1650 & 1655 having new firmwares released from BENQ. Apparently someone goofed up because there was nothing to download. So obviously someone screwed up with the link for the download. It's already been fixed as of late yesterday afternoon. I

We'll have to wait and see whether or not BENQ's continued success will carry on over to LITEON's engineers.