Fall 2004 DVDR Roundup: Dual Layer and 16X DVD+R
by Anand Shimpi & Virginia Lee on November 1, 2004 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Storage
NuTech DDW-163
Taiwanese NuTech (Quanta's retail channel) surprised us all a little with their DDW-081/082 drives. They were great for the price and deserved our Editor's Choice Award back when 8X was the best speeds that you could obtain on a DVD recorder.However, things have changed a lot since six months ago when we conducted that roundup. Most contenders in the optical storage sector continued to improve and refine their write descriptors and firmware while NuTech stayed relatively quiet. The DDW-163 never received a full fledged press release and just began to trickle onto the online marketplaces this week.
| NuTech DDW-163 16X DVD-/+RW Drive | |
| Interface | PATA |
| CD Write Speed | 40X, 32X, 24X 16X, 8X, 4X |
| CD Rewrite Speed | 24X, 16X, 10X, 8X, 4X |
| CD Read Speed | 40X MAX |
| DVD-R Write Speed | 8X, 4X, 2X |
| DVD-RW Rewrite Speed | 4X, 2X, 1X |
| DVD+R Write Speed | 16X, 8X 4X, 2.4X |
| DVD+RW Rewrite Speed | 4X, 2.4X |
| DVD+DL Write Speed | 2.4X |
| DVD Read Speed | 16X MAX (ROM) 10X MAX (-/+R, -/+RW) 5X MAX (RAM) |
| Supported Modes | DAO / DAO-RAW 16 & 96 TAO SAO / RAW SAO, RAW SAO 16 & 96 Packet Write Multi-Session |
| Supported Formats | DVD+R (DAO, incremental, seq) DVD+RW (random) DVD-R (DAO, incremental, seq) DVD-RW (restricted overwrite) CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-DA, Mixed Mode, CD Extra Photo CD, CD Text, Bootable CD, UDF |
| Access Time | CD: 125ms DVD: 145ms |
| Buffer | 2MB |
Nothing stands out here as particularly dramatic. Why all the secrecy around the newest NuTech drives? Remember our sneak peak at upcoming OSD devices during Computex 2004, particularly about Ricoh's reemergence back into the DVDR chipset arena? The NuTech DDW-162 drive was one of those slated to use the new Ricoh chipset. But today, we are looking at the DDW-163 instead. It would appear as though that, instead of pursuing a Ricoh design, NuTech scrapped the idea and continued to evolve their DDW-082 with the Nexperia chipset. In fact, even though we saw several of slated burners for the Ricoh chipset at Computex, not one of our burners today employs those chips. Ricoh may still introduce a product based on their core logic, but its getting a little late in the game.
Click to enlarge.
Below, you can see what Infotool had to say about the Philips Nexperia based DDW-163.
Internally, a lot seems to have changed since the NuTech DDW-082/1. The DDW-163 uses the newest Nexperia 7860E core logic and the TZA1047HL analog processor. Like the LG GSA series, the NuTech DDW-162 uses flash memory as well.
Click to enlarge.
NuTech has a very diverse product support team. Their employees are the ones who you see posting in forums and working on hacking their own firmware. Coaxing the Nexperia chipset into working with the DVD-R format on the DDW-082 was certainly not an easy task. Living on the fringe of product support and blurring the lines between customer feedback and company direction are extremely refreshing. By contrast, nearly faceless companies like Pioneer and NEC approach customer influence on more traditional marketing channels.
The Nexperia chipset is somewhat of a late-bloomer in the 16X market. If NuTech can keep their QA up, they can definitely utilize this chipset to its fullest by providing quality firmware updates.
Feel free to download the performance graphs for the DDW-163 here.
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gtanuel - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
Just want to add an info about BenQ DW1620 pricing. I bought DW1600 3 days ago at SG$ 98 (that's about US$54-58). After upgrading the BIOS, it's now on DW1620's firmware B7M9. If the physical is the same as DW1620, it's effectively the cheapest 16x among the rest.kernelgui - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
On page 13 where you published the test results with Ritek G05 media the graph heading indicates DVD-R 8X write speeds, however the smaller print below that indicates DVD+R media. Can you perhaps clarify if this table is based on + or -Thanks,
Fionavar - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
Thanks for the great review! Just one note of possible mistake - you have the DL R speed of the ND 3500a @ 2.4 when I believe it should be 4x.KristopherKubicki - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
Maverick215: Testing 8 DVD drives takes more than just a few days. Our roundup was submitted Mid October and posted Nov 1.The zip files are at the bottom of each drive page. Look at the bottom of page 6 for the Benq.
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=22...
Kristopher
Maverick215 - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
KristopherKubicki: Let me see if I got this.You say that you tested the most recent firmware available on the Benq. Your previous review was posted September 29th, 2004. The next firmware released was B7K9, files in that zip are dated 9.27.04 and it was posted to benq's US site 9.29.04 (the same day the initial review was released) So if you "... tested with the newest firmware possible" then either http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/storage/16xosd...
is outdated or you tested the drive for 'this' roundup 'before' the previous review was released. I'm inclined to think the latter is true based on the features of B7K9. Similarly, "(your) second look at the DW1620 uses the same firmware, although (you) were able to get some better media." I assume you got this media prior to 9.29.04 as well...
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Just trying to figure this out for myself here (btw I can't seem to find the .zip files you refer to). I have no vested interest in any of this, just like to see things clearly.
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Back to the firmware issue. B7K9 introduced a great many write strategies changes.
I will pick out the media tested that seems to have changed since before B7K9
Mitsubishi (MCC 03 RG20) DVD-R is now 16x (should put speed about the same as NEC)
Mitsubishi (MCC 003) DVD+R is now 12x (should be about the same as the RITEK test on the BENQ)
Ritek (RITEK R04) DVD+R is a 16x supported media
Mitsubishi (MCC 004) possibly had a write strategy change (uncertain) to make it full 16x; same for (RITEK R03)
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#35+KristopherKubricki
Don't get me wrong I understand you guys can't test the latested of the latest ultra alpha zeta laser tool chain master firmware (yes I made that up as I went) and compile a review/comparison instantly. But I would expect if you are using new material for a new review that you use the latest firmware/software etc that is available at the start of that review/comparison. At the VERY least you could mention that firmware revisions/updates/etc have been made (google is easy to use) and likely improve the results of XYZ. Further mentioning new features have been introduced, such as in B7M9 (released 10.27.04) where high speed (8x) disc quality testing with nero cd/dvd speed has been added (must use latest firmware, with latest software).
I may not expect to see such things on (insert company fanboy website here) but I certainly expect nothing less than what I suggest from "the leading IT source for hardware analysis and industry news"
Bozo Galora - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
BTW CDfreaks says the 1.01 firmware is out.Bozo Galora - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
Actually if you look at store pickup it shows in stock (for me) at several places. But no one at those friggin stores ever answers the phone.Going out there right now to see, pick up 3 if they have them.
Thanks for heads up.
Dennis Travis - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
The Modesto, Calif Best Buy had 5-6 the night I got mine. I was shocked to see it there. I am glad I bought it. My friend has the 712 and never a coaster after at least 500-600 DVD's and hunderds of CDR's. And the DVD's play on anything in my house including a Sony DVD that hates all burned media.Same with the 716a so far.
KristopherKubicki - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
We will test a PX-716A as soon as we get a sample.Kristopher
Warder45 - Monday, November 1, 2004 - link
Nm they are backordered till the 11th - 17th. I'll have to check my local BB's to see if any of them got it in.