I can't believe the 1640 and 3540 are still not available and most places in the US!

The BenQ is available in the form of a Plextor PX-740.  Who knows what hack company may have rebadged the NEC. 

As far as Plextor goes, I prefer my PX-716A... As far as BenQ goes, I'd rather buy BenQ's product than one rebadged by Plextor.  However, this has got to be huge for BenQ.  Having Plextor put their name on a BenQ product.

In addition to my Plextor PX-716A, I have a BenQ DW1620 Pro... both are fine drives.  I do use the Plex more, but I am more of an Audiophile than a movie ripper or maker of my own home video's, but I'm diverse and do it all and the two drives compliment each other in my system.

Have patience.  I am looking past the BenQ 1640.  I expect greater things from BenQ in time.  Pick up a 1620 for now.  I think NewEgg.com has them for around $40 U.S.

(in reply to boe)

newegg has the 3540 but not 1640 :( why are they so slow?

(in reply to SithTracy)

I saw the BenQ 1640 in my local Circuit City yesterday, at a whopping price of $140.00 US!  They'll never get it from me!  I wanted one for testing purposes, but no way at that price, it's even higher than the Plextor 716!

(in reply to midnightwalker)

Was it listed as a Benq?  I don't see Benq 1640's on Yahoo or pricewatch.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MP3Mogul

I saw the BenQ 1640 in my local Circuit City yesterday, at a whopping price of $140.00 US!  They'll never get it from me!  I wanted one for testing purposes, but no way at that price, it's even higher than the Plextor 716!

(in reply to MP3Mogul)

It wasn't "Listed" it was in the Retail store as stated above.

(in reply to boe)

As the Plextor 740 is the same drive hardware wise, it may be cheaper to buy the drive from Plextor, and firmware flash it to the Benq model which reportedly offers more options.

(in reply to MP3Mogul)

That is what I've been thinking as well!

(in reply to digitaldoc)

Thanks for the info - I don't see the difference in these models - is there any?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0&type=&description=Plextor+740&Category=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=5&Go.y=34

(in reply to MP3Mogul)

well jus a few questions hope some1 wud b kind enough 2 reply
1.is the benq 1640 available at all anywhere in the us - online/locally and if at wut price, i think $140 is insane for an internal dvdrw drive
2.flasshing the plextor 740a -> benq 1640,will that have ANY issues at all and then in future is it possible 2 OFFICIALLY upgrade 2 the benq firmware n all ?

hope u nice guys cud reply soon,need 2 buy a drive within a week as i have 2 leave the states soon

thx

Soul

(in reply to boe)

and ohh yes there is a diff between those drives,the top two are oem means there will be no software coming along it and there will b no box,jus the drivei tsel

whereas the bottom two will have the boxsofwtare alone

and ohh yes black/white bezel price differs

(in reply to SoulFire)

Sent Benq an email...here is the reply...

Thank you for your inquiry.  The DW1640 is currently unavailable and it

(in reply to SoulFire)

Wierd that we got it here in Israel .. the "Holy" **** land ..
which make me doubt abit ... about my purchase ...

(in reply to bomitch)

Get the Plextor 740 (same drive) with Plextools XL as a bonus!

(in reply to major9686)

Plextools XL is a 30 day trial version.  You get Plextools 2.23 for free on the disc.  Because of that...I purchased the OEM from Newegg...I already have Plextools 2.23...

Bob

But, you do get some DVD authoring software...

(in reply to MP3Mogul)

Bomitch, thanks for the update, I was under the impression you got the full version.  Guess you don't get anything for free!

(in reply to bomitch)