I bought a BenQ DVD DD DW1640 from Newegg.com a few years ago, I have never downloaded new firmware, when making a copy I have always had my write speed settings at 4x on DVD Decrypter, never any faster. My question is, can I write at the available 16x speed, or would it damage the quality. Is there new Firmware for the BenQ DW1640 that I should download to improve speed and overall quality? Thank You, JR
Hi ;-) Two things what is current f/w. The most popular is probably BSLB. What media? If good 16x (Verbatim/TY) then while you'll get away with 16x. 12x is more consistant. Certainly no need to go lower than 8x.
Here is the firmware site for the Benq 1640: http://support.benq.com/front/BenqM...langu=null&ops=2756&GenMenu=&RootId=undefined Latest (current) firmware is BSRB, but I echo Zebadee's sentiments. I prefer BSLB and currently use it on my 1640.
In addition to my post above, here are the specs for the 1640; http://www.itportal.org/News/Reviews/BENQ_DW1640_-_The_best_DVD_Writer_of_2005/ It is capable of burning up to 16X on either -R or +R media. My preference is 8x, even on Verbatim MC004 and TY (MIJ).
Thanks guys! Another question: What exactly will the new F/W do to benefit my 1640 that hasn't ever been upgraded?
Firmware controls the writing strategy. Especially now that most of the 4x media is extinct,8x is almost there-so that leaves 16x as the most common media out there-so older firmware versions may have trouble recognizing newer 16x media. If you switch brands or batches of media and get a no disc error when it's suppose to be burning-usually the firmware needs updated.It can also help out for playback issues-giving a better burn. Here's qsuite. It's a very nice program for Benq drives. It features booktyping,qscan,solidburn,overburn protection,and WOPC: qsuite 2.0 and 2.2: http://support.benq.com/front/BenqM...langu=null&ops=null&GenMenu=&RootId=undefined The Benq 1640 is among benq's finest. You gotta watch out for how you burn the faster media like verbatim 16x. Keep the burn speed at around 8x with verbatim and taiyo yuden media. 12x should be no problem. For 16x burning,make sure your stand alone player/s have no playback issues with them before you burn a ton of backups. BTW: These Q's are booktyping machines. If you encounter any stand alone players that give a no disc,wrong format,wrong region,dirty disc,or illegal disc: Booktyping the plus format to dvd-rom should fix that issue. Higher stand alone compatability after you booktype the plus format to dvd-rom.
Thanks, I got one last question ; I'm using Taiyo Yuden Valueline 4.7GB 4X DVD-R Media and I like it a lot. But is the 4X much to slow? Do I need to buy TY 8X or higher?
I thought I had only 1 more question, but it looks like I have another. On the F/W updates, their are many different versions, such as ( BSRB )( BSQB )( BSPB ) et cetera. How do I know which version to download? When I run Nero Info Tool it says my 1640 is a BSJB version. I didn't see a recent BJSB firmware upgrade on the site. What to do?
Hi ;-) Go here for full list of f/w. http://support.benq.com/front/BenqM...langu=null&ops=null&GenMenu=&RootId=undefined BSLB is probably your best bet. One or two of the later ones help with + media. - media being fairly consistant throughout. The TY media is supported by all the f/w listed. Click on the blue & gold thing will list f/w history changes. TY 8x media is currently the most popular.
The firmware versions are incremental improvements/changes in the writing strategies. For example you have BSJB version on your 1640, the next firmware change or build to improve write strategies was BSHB and then BSIB etc etc etc until they finally reached BSRB the last firmware change for the 1640. Which firmware do you use? Many will say the latest, in your case BSRB since it has the most improved writing strategy to handle the latest media up to the time of course the firmware was released. However, the most popular is BSLB as it appears to get the beter quality scans in comparison to the other firmware versions. However the choice is yours, it doesn't hurt to download firmware, test it out, then later download another firmware version and test it out etc etc. Then you choose which you think is better. Presently I am using BSLB on my 1640 and like it...