DVD writer buying simplified

[digiFriend]

Buying Dual Layer DVD writer.

Most magazines have rated below models of DVD writer for best buy- feb/march 2006. Buy any one from below; make your decision base on price tag and service center.

LITE-ON SHM-165P6S = SONY DW-G120A
BenQ DW 1670 = SONY DRU-820A

Common general Specifications
16x DVD±R,
8x/6x DVD+RW/DVD-RW.
8x/6x DVD+R DL/DVD-R DL (Double/Dual Layer discs of 8.5 GB)
5x DVD-RAM
(Note: if you are not going to use DVD-RAM media, you can save premium price by buying below model. only difference is, they do not have DVD-RAM media support)
Lite-on SHW-160P6S = SONY DW-Q120A
BenQ DW 1640 = SONY DRU-810A

SONY writers are rebadges
E.g. SONY DW-G120A is designed and manufactured by LiteOn and its hardware is identical to that of LITE-ON SHM-165P6S, but it has a SONY name and logo, and a usually higher SONY price.
SONY DRU-820A is rebage of BENQ DW 1670.

(Note: forget about LightScribe technology, a way of creating gray title/picture on DVD surface. you have to pay hefty price for that model of DVD Writer and its rarely available Media.)

 

[mod-the-pc]

(Note: forget about LIGHT-SUBSCRIBE technology, a way of creating gray title/picture on DVD surface. you have to pay hefty price for that model of DVD Writer and its rarely available Media.)

@digiFriend thats LightScribe and not LIGHT-SUBSCRIBE as you have said.
There's a competitor to that technology and its called LabelFlash introduced by Yamaha & Fuji.

 

[digiFriend]

thanks mod-the-pc for highlighting my mistake. i have corrected it.

 

[hsnayvid]

(Note: forget about LightScribe technology, a way of creating gray title/picture on DVD surface. you have to pay hefty price for that model of DVD Writer and its rarely available Media.)

I think benq 1655 is a sweet drive.
Saw really nice reviews on the net.
Thinking of changing my benq 1640 for it.
but the sad thing is that I can't find it here!

LS media is getting cheaper day-by-day.

 

[hsnayvid]

BTW short and sharp review!

Really helpful for 1st time buyer.

 

[shivaranjan.b]

Any idea where the Benq DW1655 is available in chennai.... I am trying to buy this for past two weeks but not able to find it in chennai..