BenQ

BenQ showcases its 16x DVD recording speed and its new double-layer DVD recordable technology at CeBIT. BenQ is scheduled to launch the DW1600 with 16X DVD+R along with 2.4x DVD+R double-layer recordable technology by June. The same drive will also support –R recording with a firmware upgrade, available in mid July.

The BenQ DW1600 incorporates the latest EFM Frequency Divider mechanism that allows high data frequency to be transmitted to the OPU without the loss of partial signals, delivering stable writing quality at high recording speeds. The following snapshot of the BenQ drive's writing performance with 16x media. The glitch which appears at the 1Gbyte mark is the affect of the EFM mechanism.

In addition BenQ will introduce the BenQ QVideo 2.0 DV/TV/AV recording tool.

The product roadmap continues with the DW1620, which comes with 16x DVD+R and 8x DVD-R writing. Availability is expected in August 2004. Last but certainly not least, the DW1650 will be the first BenQ drive to support the Seriall-ATA interface. The recording speeds will be the 16x and 8x for +R and –R respectively. In addition, the company plans to provide 4x recording for DVD+R9! The drive will hit the market in September 2004.

BenQ introduced the DVD+R double-layer technology, based on the Philips reference design. According to the company, the new technology will remain backwards compatible with existing DVD video players and DVD-ROM drives.

The DW822A is currently available on the market, and supports 8x DVD+R and 4x DVD-R writing. BenQ offers a firmware upgrade for the drive making it DVD+R9 compliant, at 2.4x writing speed.

The next model is a pure DVD+R9 burner: The BenQ DW830A supports 8X DVD+R, DVD+R double-layer at 2.4x recording speed, and is scheduled to be released in May. Through a firmware upgrade available in Q3, 2004, the DW830 will be able to support 4x DVD-R/DVD-RW recording. In addition to the double-layer recording capability, the BenQ DW830A features its smart WOPC II (Walking Optimal Power Control) technology that dynamically detects writing quality and adjusts the burning parameters to the optimal burning power for best writing quality. Moreover, BenQ’s exclusive BLER OPC (BLER Optimal Power Control) mechanism dynamically manages the block error rate to assure the outer-disc writing quality.