BenQ DW1620 messed up...

[spiderlegs]

I own a BrnQ1620 that was packaged as an HP dvd burner. Appartently, the BrnQ1620 is also packaged as a Phillips AND an HP burner. At first, I had some issues with it--1) it never burned at the max speed rate on the side of the box, 2) it wasn't always recognized by my system, which was weird (the drivers wouldn't "stick", and sorry, not being a tech guy, I don't know how else to describe it).

Anyway, I found a forum devoted to DVD burner issues and found 2 threads dealing with my HP which is when I learned it was a BrnQ1620. The solution they came up with--and let this be your second to last resort, right before chucking the drives--is flashing the firmware. I flashed my drive from the HP firmware it had to the BrnQ1620 it was "underneath", then it started burning at its advertised speed, and I haven't had any recognition problems (though XP still calls it a CD-ROM in the device manager, it performs very well). It's been great ever since.

Now, flashing your firmware isn't always the best idea. It's a do so at your own risk type thing, but I offer the prospect of doing so before giving up completely, because it made a piece of crap burner into a very good device which I use every day. I'm not going to extoll the virtues of the BrnQ1620, but mine is fine after being flashed.

[steve2713]

The solution they came up with--and let this be your second to last resort, right before chucking the drives--is flashing the firmware. I flashed my drive from the HP firmware it had to the BrnQ1620 it was "underneath", then it started burning at its advertised speed, and I haven't had any recognition problems (though XP still calls it a CD-ROM in the device manager, it performs very well). It's been great ever since.

Now, flashing your firmware isn't always the best idea. It's a do so at your own risk type thing, but I offer the prospect of doing so before giving up completely, because it made a piece of crap burner into a very good device which I use every day. I'm not going to extoll the virtues of the BrnQ1620, but mine is fine after being flashed.

If you don't understand the reasons for FW updates and think it's a 'last resort' option to getting rid of the burner, maybe you should find another hobby - you make it sound like updating FW is a terrible thing. Firmware updates are typically no more risky than updating software on your computer, and in most cases much easier. Firmware updates are available to consumers for very valid reasons and there's nothing scary about updating your FW, just follow the instructions. FW updates are practically a necessity right now because of all the new faster media coming into the market, as well as to continue improving the performance of existing media, better compatibility with software, etc.

ALL drives are improved by FW updates, why NOT update the FW??

[Ma_Jie]

What can I say that steve already hasn't?

Updating firmware is essential — it's as simple as that. FW, in addition to improving media compatability and such, also adds much needed new features. For example, a new FW for the NEC3500 (or 3520?) will allow PI/PO testing, which is very useful.

- Jie

[budz]

in my opinion firmware updates are essential if the media you're using is having problems burning. i only updated my plextor 708a drive once because it included bitsetting capability along with using NERO BURN version 6.3.125. if it ain't broke why fix it is my theory. just my 2 cents for what it's worth!!!

[Rainey]

I would suggest you try different DVD MEDIA before you decide the BENQ is broken. SONY MEDIA is a piece of crap. A friend of mine gave me a 50pack spindle of DVD+R 1-8X speed. The first 5 discs burned fine with my BENQ 1620 then it wouldn't even recognize the media after that. I tried the SONY's in my PLEXTOR 708A, PIONEER 107D, & LITEON 411 and it wouldn't even recognize the crappy media. In my opinion the SONY MEDIA is HIT or MISS. Try using another brand of dvd media. All the other brands of media I use work perfectly fine in all my dvd burners. I use MAXELL DVD-R/+ (MADE IN JAPAN) & TAIYO YUDEN.

As for the PIONEER 109 they have their own issues just like any other brand of DVD BURNERS.

I am having this very problem right now.
I have a PX708A and have burned over 100 sony (walmart) at x8 disks just fine, but i just got 2 more 50 packs and i have had problems, many of the the DVD burn fine but will not play in the drive it was burned on (the PX708A) . It dose play on my Dell DVD reader in the same PC or my stand alone player.

If i look close at the burn surface of the disk that don't play you can see an uneven color pattern near the center. You can burn the same data to the next disk in the pack and it works. Not sure yet if it is a speed problem, as i have just burned another disk at the same speed and it was ok also every time so far, i have just started burning at the next lower speed for the pack of disk and will see if that helps.

Update no problems so far at x4 speed with this pack of disks.

I guess i will have to mail order disk as i have no other store in the arda that sell disks.

[hech54]

Well I just updated my BenQ 1620 firmware to the most recent and it STILL cannot burn my 8x Taiyo Yudens(-R's) at 8x....only 4x. Any other (even crappy ones) +R disc it burns at 8x. Good thing I'm not impatient when it comes to DVD Burning.

[budz]

Well I just updated my BenQ 1620 firmware to the most recent and it STILL cannot burn my 8x Taiyo Yudens(-R's) at 8x....only 4x. Any other (even crappy ones) +R disc it burns at 8x. Good thing I'm not impatient when it comes to DVD Burning.

I haven't burned any 8X TY DVD-R with my BENQ 1620 or 1640 drive because there aren't any local stores that carry them at reasonable prices. I can get them from rima.com but shipping is expensive so I just use 8X DVD+R. I do have 4x DVD-R which burn on the BENQ drives ok.