CDFreaks presents: Philips DVDR1640P review

September 22, 2004

Drive reviewer Jan S. has just finished up a comprehensive review of this latest DVD writer from Philips. The drive lists 16X DVD+R writing and dual layer recording as well at 2.4X. Since dual layer technology was introduced by Philips and Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM) in 2003, we have to wonder how this drive will measure up.

These are the specifications of this drive, found on the Philips site:

Commercial Specifications:

Storage Media

Access time (typical) 120ms on CD, 140ms on DVD

Disc capacity 8.5 GB DVD+R DL, 4.7 GB DVD+R/R

Mass storage class compliant yes

Recording format UDF and ISO 9660

Recording media 8cm CDs (only in hor. pos.), CD-R, CD- RW, DVD+R, DVD+R double layer, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW

Supported formats 8cm discs, CD-Audio, CD-Bridge, Stereo out (2 cinch), CD-I, CD-Recordable, CD-Rewritable, CD-ROM, CD-Text, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD/R, DVD/RW, Photo CD

Write modes Disc at once (DAO), Fixed packet, Multi session (MS), Over-burn writing, Packet writing, Raw mode burning, Session at once (SAO), Track at once (TAO), Variable packet

Reading speeds 16x on DVD-ROM, 10x on DVD+R DL, 10x on DVD+R, 10x on DVD+RW, 10x on DVD-R, 10x on DVD-RW, 40x on CD-R, 32x on CD-RW

Recording speeds 16x on DVD+R, 2.4x on DVD+R DL, 8x on DVD-R, 40x CD-R

Rewriting speeds 4x on DVD+RW, 4x on DVD-RW, 24x CD-RW

Looks like Jan has spent quite a bit of time with this drive and has provided us with some valuable insight on it's capabilities. But, how does he like it? You will have to read the review and find out. Please give us your thoughts here or on the conclusion of the article. Also, thanks a lot Jan, for doing such a great job!

On a side note, we are currently doing some tailoring of the content of our
drive reviews. We are changing the format slightly to our visitors
wishes. Some of you that are very familiar with our articles, may
notice certain tests currently missing. However, they might be
reintroduced again in the future if warranted.

Source: CD Freaks