BenQ announced today the new DW1620 series, supporting 16X recording for the DVD±R formats, as well as 2.4X with DVD+R DL media and 4X DVD±RW, 40X CD-R, and 24X CD-RW!

Despite the fact that no DVD±R 16X media is available on the market yet, the drive will be able to record at this speed by using existing 8X media from approved manufacturers.

The drive will have a buffer capacity of 2MB. Optimal writing conditions are achieved along with high-precision recording through the use of "WOPC (Walking Optimal Power Control)" and a high-speed data transmission algorithm yielding high quality recording. The loading tray will be black which apparently helps suppress random reflections.

The bulked Software includes, BenQ's BookType Management, Record Now, WinCreator, WinDVD and DLA packet writing software.

The drive should hit the streets in the beginning of August at the retail price of 110 Euro.

Specifications

Performance
DVD+R DL: Data Transfer / double layer write: 26.59 Mbit (2.4x)
DVD+R: Data Transfer Rate /write: 177.28 Mbit/sec (16X)
DVD+RW: Data Transfer Rate /rewrite: 44.32 Mbit/sec (4X)
DVD-R:Data Transfer Rate /write: 177.28 Mbit/sec (16X)
DVD-RW: Data Transfer Rate /rewrite: 44.32 Mbit/sec (4X)

DVD ROM :
Data Transfer Rate /read: 177.28 Mbit/sec (16X, MAX)
Access time: 120 ms

CD :
Data Transfer Rate /write: 6000 KByte/sec (40X)
Data Transfer Rate /rewrite: 3600 KByte/sec (24X)
Data Transfer Rate /read: 6000 KByte/sec (40X, Max.)

Access time: 120 ms
Interface E-IDE/ATAPI
Supported IDE mode PIO mode 0/1/2/3/4
DMA mode 0/1/2
UDMA mode 0/1/2

Buffer Size 2 Mbytes
Writing Mode DVD :DVD Data and Video
CD : Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Multisession, Packet Writing (fixed & variable packet), CD Digital Audio, Direct-Over-Write on CD-RW, Test Write
Disc Size DVD : 120 mm disc
CD : 80 and 120 mm discs
Disc Formats DVD : DVD+R 4.7GB, DVD+RW 4.7GB, DVD-R 4.7GB, DVD-RW 4.7GB (closed session) DVD Video, DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-18
CD : 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

Audio Performance Signal-to-Noise ratio: 76 dB min.
Number of stereo channels: 2
Analog audio line output: 0.75 VRMS at 470 Ohm
Analog headphone output: 0.6 VRMS at 34 Ohm
CD sampling frequency: 44.1 KHz
Reliability Characteristics MTBF: 50,000 POH
Non-recoverable read error < 1 block in 1012 bits (CD and DVD)
Physical Characteristics Dimension: 146 X 42 X 198 mm (W x H x D)
Weight: 1.0 Kg