BenQ DW 1655 fails burning TY media - how can I prove if it's defective?

[Ronaldus]

I recently bought a new BenQ DW1655 OEM (firmware BCAB). My first 3 burns (a YUDEN000T02, TTG02, and CMCMAGE01) were successful. All the Nero disc quality scans I run on it are very similar to my DW1640, so error scanning seems to work. However, today I tried burning 3 YUDEN000T02 +Rs at 4x and 2 TTG02 -Rs at 4x on the 1655. The 1st 4x YUDEN burn completed successfully but the quality scan showed a giant PIF mountain (giving it a 0 quality score) near the end. The other 4x YUDEN and 4x TTG02 burns failed in Nero Express 6.6.0.14 before they finished. The errors from Nero are pasted below.

I downloaded QSuite 2.1 to check my settings and I saw "YUDEN000T02" listed as "learned 1 pcs"... whatever that means since I thought it was a supported code. I checked the QSuite 2.1 manual and it didn't explain things. There was no listing for the TTG02 media I had also burned.

My DW1640 burns discs at 4x in about 9 minutes but this 1655 takes about 15 minutes and it usually fails. This is the same problem someone else posted about on another website and concluded was a defective 1655. I have SolidBurn off for supported media and on for unsupported, and WOPC is on.

One other strange thing I noticed when looking at the burned disc surface under a light was the following: the same data burned on the same media type at the same speed on my 1655 vs. 1640 looked different to the eye. It's hard to describe, but the further toward the edge of the disc you get I saw discoloration patterns that look like what you see on a dishwashing soap bubble. Just imagine a very thin layer of dishwashing liquid. The thing is the quality scans of both of these discs are identical and both play fine. It's just a visual oddity I see on all the 1655 burns, and I wondered if that was normal or indicates a problem with the 1655?

Are there any other things I should try to verify the 1655 is bad before I call Newegg and try to get an exchange before my 30 days are up?

Unfortunately diagnosing burners is not an easy thing to do. I've tried using some 2.4x Memorex DVD-RWs and those still burn fine, but every time I put a high quality Taiyo Yuden or medium quality TDK in this drive it fails to burn. I haven't tried other media or speeds because it seems it should be enough to want it to burn YUDEN000T02 @ 4x since that is the majority of what I have. For what it's worth I have a Pioneer A06 on the same computer and it burns this media fine at 4x. Should I try moving the 1655 to another computer or is that a pointless exercise?

[HatchetMan]

I do not believe you have to explain more than you already have here. Actually, you have only 500 characters to do it in when submitting an RMA to newegg. No need to call them. Do it online and select defective as the reason, I have done the very same in the past.

[drag2f2f]

TTG02 is not Taiyo Yuden, it is TDK media.

[hech54]

My BenQ 1620Pro doesn't like my TY -R 8x very much either. It seems to prefer +R media for some reason....especially at max speed.
I burn my TY's at 4x and they work perfectly.

[pchan]

For BenQ DVD burner, it's best to stay away from -R media.

[budz]

For BenQ DVD burner, it's best to stay away from -R media.

That's not really true. With the latest 1640 firmware DVD-R media burns very well. I've done some scans with DVD-R media with firmware BS0B with good results. The BENQ 1620 drive doesn't do well with DVD-R.

Regarding the 1655 my suggestion is to check out the BENQ FORUM at Cdfreaks.com. There is a thread regarding problems with some 1655 drives. Every manufacturer of dvd burners will have quality control problems. Just take a look at the other dvd burner forums.

[lenti_75]

return it and try to echange it for pioneer or nec, and leave alone the junk ...
I never had a problem with my nec don't matter what media I used

[Ronaldus]

With the latest 1640 firmware DVD-R media burns very well. I've done some scans with DVD-R media with firmware BS0B with good results. The BENQ 1620 drive doesn't do well with DVD-R.

Regarding the 1655 my suggestion is to check out the BENQ FORUM at Cdfreaks.com. There is a thread regarding problems with some 1655 drives. Every manufacturer of dvd burners will have quality control problems. Just take a look at the other dvd burner forums.

I agree. I've had good luck on the 1640 with all media except old 1x RITEK and certain TTG02. The 1620 does well but not quite as well as the 1640.

All I wanted from the 1655 is for it to behave like my 1620 and 1640 which have no problem burning any YUDEN000T02 +R media that my 1655 drive can't burn any more.

It's funny you mentioned that thread in CD Freaks because that's exactly the thread I read and posted these questions a couple days ago (I use a different handle there). The reason I posted here is because nobody has helped me on CD Freaks, and I'm running out of time for my 30 day exchange. I've always thought my handle should be "Thread Killer" because when I post on CD Freaks that's what usually happens.

At least on videohelp people have always seemed a lot friendlier and I got a few responses even though nobody gave me any suggestions of troubleshooting techniques for the 1655. I really don't know what to do short of keep burning and wasting media. I guess I'm on my own for troubleshooting ideas, and I'll probably end up RMA'ing the drive to Newegg without being 100% sure the drive is at fault.

[Ronaldus]

return it and try to echange it for pioneer or nec, and leave alone the junk ...
I never had a problem with my nec don't matter what media I used

Other than RITEKG03 and occasional TTG02, I've never had any problems on my BenQ 1620 or 1640. I think my 1655 is defective. The reason I want BenQ is I'm big into quality scanning, and the BenQ is a decent burner. While the Pioneer and NEC may be better burners, they lack the quality scanning features I need.

Also, Newegg only allows exchanges for the same drive type, so I have to keep the BenQ 1655.

[hech54]

Pioneers are fantastic burners but lack the versatility I need/want/sometimes require...
Bitsetting...I occasionally need that for DVD's going to some friends and family members....and the ability to read CD-R's that are above 700MB correctly....IE...see them as 800MB available to burn....that and CD Text...not sure if Pioneers can do that.
I would love to have a Pioneer and WILL buy one once either one of my burners die(BenQ 1620 - LG4040B) but I will always have another for my special needs.

[budz]

return it and try to echange it for pioneer or nec, and leave alone the junk ...
I never had a problem with my nec don't matter what media I used

Other than RITEKG03 and occasional TTG02, I've never had any problems on my BenQ 1620 or 1640. I think my 1655 is defective. The reason I want BenQ is I'm big into quality scanning, and the BenQ is a decent burner. While the Pioneer and NEC may be better burners, they lack the quality scanning features I need.

Also, Newegg only allows exchanges for the same drive type, so I have to keep the BenQ 1655.

I no longer use any TDK media code TTG02. Last year I had nothing but coasters when using it on of my dvd burners. TDK media quality sucks in my opinion. Use TAIYO YUDEN, VERBATIM & MAXELL (MADE IN JAPAN) with your BENQ drives. I have no use for lightscribe so I am waiting for Newegg to sell the BENQ 1650.

I believe Newegg's policy is 30 days for a replacement of the same make or model. Although I know if you own the drive beyond the 30 days Newegg's return policy is 1 year. Which means they won't refund you any money but they will send you a new drive or if the model no longer exists then they sent you whatever the latest model is.

[OneSickPup]

It's funny you mentioned that thread in CD Freaks because that's exactly the thread I read and posted these questions a couple days ago (I use a different handle there). The reason I posted here is because nobody has helped me on CD Freaks, and I'm running out of time for my 30 day exchange. I've always thought my handle should be "Thread Killer" because when I post on CD Freaks that's what usually happens.

At least on videohelp people have always seemed a lot friendlier and I got a few responses even though nobody gave me any suggestions of troubleshooting techniques for the 1655...

I know the feeling - a quite different atmosphere over there!!! A great source for info but unless your post count is high - you're considered a hopeless newbie and a sure candidate for being ignored. Very frustrating to me as well.

I'm no Benq expert - my only experience is with a 1620 Pro. Like Budz, I've been waiting on the 1650's US release. I think you may have a defective drive - however; I do recall a thread (can't find it now) that eluded to problems burning some media at slower speeds. Have you tried burning the Yuden...T02's at 8x or 12x? Give that a try and see what the quality scan looks like - if no change I would RMA the drive. Good Luck.

[Ronaldus]

DELETED.

[Ronaldus]

DELETED.

(Look like my posts killed yet another thread.)