Teac DV-W516GB

1. Introduction

Review Pages

1. Introduction
2. Transfer Rate Reading Tests
3. CD Error Correction Tests
4. DVD Error Correction Tests
5. CD Recording Tests
6. C1 / C2 Error Measurements
7. Writing Quality Tests - Clover System Tests
8. DVD Recording Tests
9. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 1
10. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 2
11. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 3
12. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 4
13. CDSpeed/PlexTools Scans - Page 5
14. Writing Quality Tests - Almedio AEC-1000
15. DVD+R DL - Page 1
16. DVD+R DL - Page 2
17. BookType Setting
18. Conclusion

TEAC's latest release is the DV-W516GB, an OEM DVD burner based on the LiteOn 1673 model. Being a LiteOn based drive, it shares the same capabilities with LiteOn's previous release, the 1673S and we will only be reviewing the drive's key features, writing quality and error correction.

The 16X speed is supported for both formats. The drive's specs also report a 4X DL writing speed and an 8X speed for +RW media, while for -RW media the drive reaches the 6X burning speed.

- Specifications

Model	16X DVD Dual Drive with Double Layer Writing
Interface:	ATAPI/IDE
Data Buffer Memory	2MB
Data Writing Speed (max)
DVD+R Writing	16X
DVD+R DL Writing	4X
DVD+RW Rewriting	8X
DVD-R	16X
DVD-RW Rewriting	6X
DVD-ROM Reading	16X
CD-R Writing	48X
CD-RW Rewriting	24X
CD-ROM Reading	48X
Random Access Time	160ms
Writing Discs (Disc Format)	DVD :DVD±R 4.7GB, DVD±RW 4.7GB
	CD : CD-R 700MB (type 80), 650MB (type 74), CD-RW
	DVD+DL : 8.5GB
Playable Discs (Disc Format)	DVD : DVD-ROM + DVD Video (single +dual layer), DVD±R, DVD±RW (DVD-RAM not supported)
Playable Discs (Disc Format)	CD : CD-ROM (Mode 1) CD-ROM XA, CD-DA (Audio cd), Video CD, Photo CD (single or multi-session), CD-EXTRA, CD Plus, CD-Text, CD-R, CD-RW
Data Transfer Speed (max)	DVD-ROM : 16X
Data Transfer Speed (max)	CD-ROM : 48X
Mounting Orientation	Horizontal and Vertical (+/- 5 degrees)
Regulation Approval	UL,TUV, FCC, CE
MTBF	70.000 POH
Compatibility	Windows ME/XP/2000
Physical Dimensions
WxHxD	148.4 x 42.8 x 170.0mm

Below are the drive's main specs as given by NeroInfoTool and DVDInfoPro and VSO:

The drive also uses the RPC II region control, allowing a user to change the drive's region at most 5 times. However, since this is a LiteOn drive, you can set the drive to region free using several readily available utilities.

- Retail package

The retail package includes the TEAC DV-W516GB, along with the standard audio cable and mounting screws, an IDE cable, Quick Installation Guide and the Warranty-card. The kit also contains the Nero 6 OEM Suite with Nero Burning Rom, InCD and Nero Media Player. Included and something we don't usually find with the latest DVD burners, is an 8X DVD+R disc from Ritek.

The front panel is the same as previous versions. The only difference here is the DVD+R DL logo next to the RW logo.

The rear panel has the usual analogue and digital outputs (SPDIF), IDE connector and power input.

We removed the cover to take a closer look at the inner workings of the drive. We don't recommend you do this as it will void your warranty. We took a photo of the "inside" of the TEAC drive shown below (click on the image for a large photo).

- Installation

The drive was installed as a secondary master and under WindowsXP, recognized as the "TEAC DV-W516GB ". The drive was flashed to the latest available version, J4S2 revision, as the Nero properties tab confirms.

Throughout the review, we will be comparing the TEAC drive with two other similar drives, the NEC 3520A and the Asus 1608P, both 16X/16X drives.

- Testing software

In order to perform our tests we used:

Nero CD-DVD Speed v3.75
Nero Info Tool v3.00
PlexTools v2.23(Reader: Plextor PX-712A firmware v1.05, Reading speed 8X CLV for CD-R)
DVDInfoPro v3.51
Nero Burning Rom v6.6.0.13
DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0
CopyToDVD 3.0.34.58

Review Pages

TEAC

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