BenQ DW822A 8X Dual - Page 1

One more 8x DVD recorder has entered the DVD recording market. BenQ, after the release of its 8x +R DRW800A DVD recorder, reveals the new DW822A dual format DVD recorder.

- Features

• Dual format support

The DW822A is the first BenQ drive that supports recording for both the +R/RW and –R/RW formats.

• Double-layer firmware upgradeable

The photo is of a sticker on the retail package. According to this, on 30/09/2004, the buyer will be able to record dual layer discs with the current recorder through a firmware upgrade that will be avaliable from BenQ's website.

BenQ's Seamless Link allows the drive to store the RecEnd address, the point in the data to which the recording mechanism has progressed, and pause the recording before a buffer under run occurs. When the buffer is again full, a Seamless Link-enabled drive locates the RecEnd address and resumes the recording process. The gap between the stop and restart point is closed, while managing the recording process precisely and transparently-eliminating under run errors and maintaining recording accuracy.

• Book type management

BenQ's Book Type Management enables the easy conversion of +R/+RW media to DVD-ROM format and can resolve compatibility issues with most consumer DVD devices. Latest version of the BookType Manager Software can be downloaded from here.

• Smart-Write Control

Walking Optimal Power Calibration(WOPC) dynamically adjusts burning power to ensure the best writing quality throughout the whole burning process. In addition, the patented "Tilted Control" always keeps the writing angle at 90 degrees on the disc surface to ensure uniform writing.

- Specifications

Interface ATAPI / E-IDE Buffer Size 8 MB Ide Mode PIO mode 0/1/2/3/4 DMA mode 0/1/2 UDMA mode 0/1/2 Access Time DVD Family : 160 ms CD Family : 120 ms Write Speed DVD Family Writing speed 8x (10800KBps) +R, 4x (5400KBps)-R Re-writing speed 4x (5400KBps)+RW, 2x (2700KBps) -RW CD Family Writing speed 24x (3600KBps), CLV / CAV (24x) Re-writing speed 10x (1500KBps), CLV Read Speed DVD Family 12x (16200KBps), CAV CD Family 40x (6000KBps), CAV Supported Formats DVD Family Write: DVD+R 4.7GB, DVD+RW 4.7GB, DVD-R 4.7GB, DVD-RW 4.7GB (Close session), Read: DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-18, DVD+R/-R/+RW/-RWCD-DA CD Family CD-DA, CD-ROM XA (m1, m2f1/m2f2), CD-R, CD-RW, Bootable CD, Photo CD (single & multi-session), Video CD, Super Video CD, CD-Extra, Mixed-mode CD, CD-Text, CD-Graphics Writing mode DVD Family DVD Data and Video CD Family Disc-at-once Track-at-once Multi-session Packet writing CD Digital Audio Direct Over write on CDRW simulation Support OS Windows 98/ ME / 2000/ XP Dimensions 146 x 198 x 42 mm (LxWxH) Weight 1 Kg Support both 8 cm and 12 cm disc of CD and DVD family

One of the basic differences of BenQ in comparison to the competition is the 8MB buffer size. The other specifications of the drive, according to Infotool, are the 40x maximum CD reading speed and the 24x maximum CD writing speed. On the supported Read features the drive supports all tested formats except DVD-Ram and C2 error information. On the Write features, all tested formats are supported by BenQ, except DVD-Ram and Mount Rainier. On the writing modes the software reports that BenQ supports TAO, DAO, SAO, and RAW writing. On the DVD features BenQ uses the RPC II region control, allowing a user to change the drive's region at most 5 times.

- Retail package

The retail package includes the BenQ IDE interface drive, mounting screws and an audio cable.

For reading reference the package includes the following multi language guides: hardware Quick start, user quide for the recording software, guide for video authoring software and finally a welcome user's manual for Qvideo and Book type management. All guides are also available in pdf format on one CD-Rom along with the specifications for the writer. And last but not least the package includes a CD-Rom with Sonic RecordNow! 6.7.0 Plus and Sonic DLA v4.60 for packet writing and a CD-Rom with Intervideo WnDVD Creator and WindDVD player.

- The drive

Removing the screws and opening the drive's cover voids the drive's warranty. For reference reasons, we post the following pictures.

- Installation

The BenQ drive was connected to our test PC and was identified as "ATAPI DVD Dual 8X4X12 " under WinXP. All tests were done with firmware B3BC.

The following pages include test results for the BenQ drive in comparison with two other dual DVD burners, the LiteOn812s and Aopen 8x8 DvD Dual.