BenQ DW800A Dual Recorder - Page 2

- Test Setup

For testing the writing performance of the BenQ DW800A Dual recorder with a variety of DVD-R media at 4X, we used the following software:

Nero CD-DVD Speed v2.20

• Create Disc
• Transfer Rate (with the BenQ BW800A Dual recorder)

KProbe v1.1.29

• Reader: LiteOn SOHW-812S firmware US0F/G
• Settings: PI/PO Sum: 8 ECC
• Settings: 4X CLV reading speed for all tests

- Media

- Results

Below are the KProbe scans for each media and the corresponding CDSpeed graphs.

Imation 4X DVD-R @ 4X

Intenso 4X DVD-R @ 4X

Mam 4X DVD-R @ 4X

It is interesting that although KProbe returns a very high amount of PI errors, the disc is readable with the BenQ drive. This certainly strengthens the arguments that the measurements taken by KProbe may not be all that reliable..

Maxell 4X DVD-R @ 4X

Mirror 4X DVD-R @ 4X

Again, it is strange that the drive reports an unrecovered read error at the 3.3GB mark, where the PI error level is very low at this point. It is more logical to have expected a read error within the first few GBs of the disc, where the PI error rate is quite high.

Noname 4X DVD-R @ 4X

PONY 4X DVD-R @ 2.4X

BulkPaq Red 4X DVD-R @ 4X

When the PI error rate reaches 600, the BenQ DW800A dual drive stops reading.

Sentinel 4X DVD-R @ 4X

Despite the high spikes in the PI error rate, the CDSpeed graph was perfect.

SKC 4X DVD-R @ 4X

The BenQ DW800A lowers its reading speed to 1.98X.

TDK 4X DVD-R @ 4X

Verbatim 4X DVD-R @ 4X

- Conclusion

Overall the BenQ DW800A performed well in the 4X DVD-R writing tests. With quality media, the drive will produce low error rates (PI) as the KProbe scans showed and the CDSpeed graphs are perfect (4~8X CAV).

However, we noticed problems with non branded media, like:

• BulkPaq Red (Princo based),
• Mirror (Manufacturer(?): AN31) and
• Noname (Manufacturer(?): VanGuard),

where the BenQ DW800A reported either unrecoverable read errors or dropped the reading speed. The BenQ DW800A Dual drive also lowered its reading speed with SKC media. Lastly, the PONY (RitekG04) was burned at 2.4X while most other burners support 4x for this disc.

The BenQ DW800A had a good reputation as a quality 8X DVD burner for +R format, and we can say the same holds true for -R format. When used with quality -R media, the results were very good and a future firmware update (if any) should possibly keep the recording speed at 2.4X for a few media types, in order to maintain better writing quality.