Benq DW800a vs NuTech DDW-081

[Anthony2816]

Has anyone had any experience with the Benq DW800a yet? It's a hard choice between the Benq and the NuTech. Similar price and specs. The NuTech has a higher CDR write speed (40x vs 24x) but the Benq has a bigger buffer (8 mb vs 2 mb).

I've seen some stuff on the NuTech on forums and on Anand's site, but nothing on the Benq.

What's the best choice?

http://www.nuniverse.com/1_english/3_products/01_ide.php?pID=3

http://www.benq.com/storage/storage_dvdrw_dw800a.html

[69Dartman]

I'm thinking about the nutevh myself. If you've read all the forums and reviews of it it sounds like it uses the latest Philips chipset which means it might be able to do dual layer media when it becomes available with just a firmware upgrade. They are also saying it will probably have minus burning added in november with a newer firmware like they did with the Sony 500a.
It also sounds like the write quality is getting to be pretty good with each update and it can be had now for as little as 139 online.
I think I might wait till Xmas to see how it all shakes out , prices are falling again and everyone is making 8x drives now, hoping for one that does both formats at 8x or better and can handle the dual layer when it finally gets officially released.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I'm thinking about the nutevh myself. If you've read all the forums and reviews of it it sounds like it uses the latest Philips chipset which means it might be able to do dual layer media when it becomes available with just a firmware upgrade. They are also saying it will probably have minus burning added in november with a newer firmware like they did with the Sony 500a.

...I don't think so.

[69Dartman]

If Sony can add stuff so can others, we'll just have to wait and see if it's true or not but it sounds promising. Like I said I'll wait and see what happens and probably get something new around X-mass.
If you know for sure it will or wont do something extra point us in the direction and we'll check it out. It's all rumours at this point till something happens on all this stuff except that it definitely writes at 8x to good plus media and it dirt cheap so it worth a gamble for some folks I guess.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I was confused by your Sony 500A statement,I owned a 500A(until it died) and it was always a dual format 4x writer.AFAIK there has never been a firmware upgrade to make a single format writer dual format.The dual layer writers require a special controller,Philips got dual layer to work by modifing a professional grade writer,who knows how long it will take for dual layer writers to be available to the public.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=181348

[69Dartman]

OK, well like I said there have been several rumours about Nutech actually adding dvd - support in November. I figured Sony would be a good example as they never claimed it would do 4x for the other format then they added the upgrade later probably when they had paid the licensing and the standard was finalised.
I bought the Sony becuase it was the fastest thing out at the time and the dual format meant I could make things that would work in any hardware I owned. There is a upgrade that is supposed to take the Liteon 401 drive up to the dual format like the 411 drive but it was unofficial and LiteOn had a cow when they found out about it, plus some folks have had problems, others say it worked fine.
I'm kinda thinkin the Nutech might be the next hacked burner that can do more then advertised but we'll have to wait and see

[Rodfuji68]

I have a pioneer A05 drive and I orderded this drive so I could have the opportunity to burn both formats of media also the rumors of adding -r/-rw capabilities to this drive also intrigued me but it wasnt somthing I was or am counting on. I contacted nu-tech through email about the possibilty of adding the -r/-rw support to this drive with a simple firmware upgrade, they didn't actually say that it was going to happen but it does seem promissing, And like I said I do have an A05 so there won't be any disappointment if its not added.

Anyways here a copy of my email transcript for those that are interested.

Dear Rodeny,
Thanks your reply, about dual drive we will pop out at the end of Nov. Pls be patient.
At the same time, I am sure it can be upgrade through F/W.

Best Regard,

Arnold Chen
Product & Marketing Specialist
Quanta Storage Inc. New Business Div.
323, Section 2, Nankan Road Luchu, Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan 338
PH: 886-3-3525555 Ext. 1806
FX: 886-3-3522020
www.nu-global.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Rodney ****** [mailto:*********@******.***]
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2003 8:20 AM
To: Arnold.Chen 陳啟寰
Subject: Contact_Nu_Tech_New

Name=Rodney *****
sex=M
Birthday_Year=****
Birthday_Month=**
Birthday_Day=**
Tel=**********
Address=*********@********.***
Comment=To whom it may concern
Hello I have a question about your new drive IDE 8X DVD+RW-DDW-081, I just purchased one from livewarehouse but have not recieved it as of yet and my question is that there have been rumors floating around on a couple of web forums that this drive will be capable of burning the -r/rw format in the near future with a simple firmware upgrade, is there any truth to this and if there is will this be a free upgrade?
Thanks for your time and hope hear an answer from you soon
Thanks Again
Rodney

[69Dartman]

Well cool then, sounds like a confirmation that at least - media will be added without definitely saying yes. Now if it can do - at 8x that would be even better.

[-jsl-]

Due to the licensing cost I really don't think you will see any official firmware upgrade that will allow you to burn DVD-R/RW. Of course if/when Nu Tech releases a dual format version with the exact same hardware etc. it might be possible to hack your drive with this firmware but don't expect it as DVDforum probably requires some sort of protection for this.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Here is a bitsetting utilty for the NU Tech DDW-081:
http://www.nu-global.com/1_english/3_products/01_ide.php?pID=3#
Click on Software.