detail information

Test machine:

For this review we will be using a computer with the following configuration:

Hardware:

⋅         Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-8KNXP version 2.1 Limited Edition i875P
⋅         Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2,8GHz 800MHz FSB with Hyper Threading support.
⋅         RAM: 1Gb PC3500 DDR
⋅         GFX: ATI Radeon 9800 pro
⋅         Sound: SB Audigy 2
⋅         Hard disks: 2 x Hitachi Deskstar 7k250 160Gb S-ATA in RAID 0 on the i875P S-ATA RAID controller.

System set-up:

The BenQ DW1620A was connected as Primary Master and identified itself as BENQ DVD DD DW1620. DMA (Direct Memory Access) and autorun was enabled for all devices.

Software:

Windows XP professional is installed on the computer along with Service Pack 2 for windows XP. We will be using the following software in this review:

⋅         Ahead Nero Burning ROM version 6.3.1.25
⋅         Ahead Nero CD/DVD Speed v3.42
⋅         Ahead Nero InfoTool v2.27
⋅         DVD-Identifier 3.4
⋅         K-Probe v2.4.2

Installation and supported features:

We quickly installed the drive without any problems and here is a screenshot from Nero info tool:

Our drive came shipped with firmware B7C9, we updated the firmware version B7K9 for this review and later on we updated to B7M9 and re-ran some test where we had problems. The only drawbacks we could see are the inability to report C2 errors as well as missing Mt Rainier support along with a bit small buffer. A larger buffer would at least smoothen up the data transfer to the drive a bit on stressed systems.

Write Right Technologies

Since BenQ has already explained the technologies pretty good we are just doing a quick copy and paste from their webpage to show you how it works.

¨       High-Speed Signal Algorithm

As writing speed is increased, signal loss becomes the key cause of a significant decrease in writing quality. BenQ's High-Speed Signal Algorithm manages the high EFM(Eight-to-Fourteen Modulation) frequency signal loss that often takes place at high-speed writing - ensuring superb writing quality. 

    ¨  WOPC + BLER OPC

Unlike other drives which preset the writing power before the actual writing of data, the WOPC II (Walking Optimal Power Control) algorithm evaluates the writing quality constantly and adjusts the writing power accordingly in order to ensure the best possible writing quality over the entire disc.

The BLER OPC (Block Error Rate Optimal Power Control) further enhances the writing quality near the end of the disc, where the risk of warping is higher.  

Tilt Control

Optimal reading and writing quality is obtained when the angle between the disc and the laser beam is 90 degrees.  However, if a disc is warped, the laser beam many no longer be correctly positioned. BenQ's Tilt Control repositions the OPU (Optical Pickup Unit) to maintain the 90-degree angle between the disc and the laser beam in order to ensure the best writing quality.

¨        Sliding Cone Mechanism

With the unique Sliding Cone design, the disc position on the turntable is improved considerably. This greatly helps to reduce data access time and also to deliver superior reading and writing quality.

l         Book Type Management 

¨       The BenQ Book Type Management program allows you to freely choose a DVD+RW or DVD+R disc to be written as DVD-ROM book type, the most recognizable disc format for DVD layers.  No longer will you need to worry about media backward compatibility problems with older model DVD players.

Advanced testing features

With firmware B7M9 the BenQ DW1620A supports some advanced testing features. One of them is FE/TE testing with the BenQ Disc Doctor tool (not yet officially released while typing this).

How to use it '� insert a blank DVDR disc, choose the speed you normally write at (choosing the highest speed first may be a good idea to see if it's good for highest speed). The disc will not be written as this test will be done in simulation mode.

TE = Tracking Errors. Shows how well the drive follows the predefined track on the disc. A poor quality disc may have a poor defined track and will have problems when recording it. The TE error level (curve) should be as straight as possible on a good disc.

FE = Focus Error. Shows how well the drive is able to focus the laser on the disc. A correctly focused laser will make a correctly defined pit when writing and will give a good result. An incorrectly focused laser will give less good pits and the disc will have reduced readability and in the worst cases be unreadable. A poor/thin/low quality DYE (Chemicals used in the recording layer on the disc) is the most common reason for focus problems. Again the line should be as straight horizontally as possible.

The next tool we may use is Nero CD-Speed to check PIE/PIF errors as well as jitter.

Another useful feature if you are using CD-Speed to record the test disc is that you will also get the recording result shown. On this image you could see the recording speed of this disc as a white graph in the upper window as well as info on the drive used to record it. The result on the image is quite average, to demonstrate how the result from a poor disc will be we have included the following result as well.

Things to look close at: PO Failures, means uncorrectable errors and uncorrecta

Introduction

Conclusion