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Introduction
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| Review: ASUS DRW-1604P |
ASUS recently sent us their DRW-1604P drive, which is a 16X speed, Dual Format, Double Layer, DVD recorder. This drive is based on the popular Pioneer DVR-108 drive. The name ASUS is very familiar to most people due to the companies well known computer products and peripherals. Asus is especially known for their portfolio of motherboard and video card products. The DRW-1604P is one of their latest DVD writers, but how does it perform? We’ll find out in this article by running the drive through numerous tests and by analysing its performance with a multitude of various media.
Company information:
We found the following information on the ASUS website;
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Drive specifications:
We also found the following specifications on the ASUS website:
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FlextraLink™ – Buffer Underrun Errors Prevention Technology 
FlextraSpeed™ – Optimal Writing Speed Adjustment Technology 
What’s inside the box?
Here we take a look at the ASUS DRW-1604P retail package and the contents included in the bundle.
The box has a snazzy design that highlights the 16×16 DVD±R capabilities and the 4X Double Layer writing ability. Next, we opened up the box and arranged all of the contents for easy viewing.
Let us look over the contents of the retail package.
The box contains;
- The DRW-1604P drive
- One emergency eject pin
- One 80 wire IDE cable
- Mounting screws
- Quick Installation Guide
- User Guide (Product manual)
- Nero OEM suite CD-ROM
- Ulead DVD MovieFactory 3 Suite SE CD-ROM
- Audio cable
- ASUS motherboard flyer
This is a pretty nice bundle. Including both Nero and Ulead software packages gives the end-user the flexibility to choose their favorite CD/DVD software. The only thing we miss is one included blank DVD±R disc and preferably also one DVD rewriteable disc. The Quick Installation guide uses very tiny text and only contains one small picture. Luckily, the included full User Guide contains better instructions and detailed pictures that will help novice users get the drive installed.
Now we shall take a closer look at the drive itself.
Notice the indented line and the contours on the drive tray. This gives the drive a unique and interesting appearance. What else is on the front of the drive? On the left-side and underneath the drive tray there is an emergency eject hole, to the right there is an LED indicator, and then at the far right is the eject button. For graphics, we have the ASUS logo printed on the center of the drive tray. Underneath the drive tray from left to right we have a DVD+R DL logo, a DVD Alliance (DVD+R/RW) logo, a DVD Forum (DVD-R/RW) logo, and finally a Compact Disc Ultra Speed ReWriteable logo.
Starting from the left of the back of the drive we have; one undocumented connection; analog audio connector; pins and jumper to set the drive to cable select, slave or master; IDE connector and finally the power connector. There is no digital audio connector.
Above we have a view of the top of the drive with 2 stickers placed on it. We can see that the drive was made in China. The drive was manufactured in either October 2004 or November 2004 depending on which sticker you want to believe.
On the next page we will take a look at the test machine testing software, drive features and the included software…
76 Comments
Why do none of the quality tests in CDFreaks reviews include jitter? Jitter is part of the ECMA specifications for DVD's, and jitter levels of above 9% are out of spec.
Sorry, but if it is indeed a Pioneer 108 clone, what is the purpose of the test... to show the firmware quality perhaps. :g
One of the reasons is that we do not have calibrated equipment for testing jitter. The jitter tests in plextools with plextor drives and in CD-Speed with BenQ drives is not accurate enough. If we should believe benq reported jitter, 90% of the discs would be out of specs exceeding 9% jitter.
[edited by OC-Freak on 15.02.2005 12:02]
[edited by OC-Freak on 15.02.2005 12:02]
Not the fastest drive for DVD, but great writing-quality, like I expect from Pioneer-clones. I hpe you present soon a review of the Asus 1608 or Pioneer 109 :B
This is Cdfreaks first review on a Pioneer 108 based drive. We previously reviewed the Pioneer A08XLA, which can be considered a different drive because it uses different hardware and different firmware. Cdfreaks tries to review as many drives as possible. 
That´s nice, Wes 
Hope some new reviews are on the way :X
Hope some new reviews are on the way :X
:g
Best
hi, I downloaded the free trial version & used it for less than a week. It got expired, even b4 I could avail the 30 day trial period. I realised that I made some changes to the system date b4 installation and installed and later I changed the system date. This is creating this issue. I tried to reinstall and getting the same message that I need to buy the software. Is there any work around?? Any help would really be appreciated.
The comparison chart on their website does not inlcude the free version so you can't see what additonal featrures may be obtained by purchasing the upgrade.
The free version does exactly what it says it will do. It removes the protection, that's it.
I have been using the program for 4 years and I find that it is a great program for copying DVDs. It automatically removes all css, region, etc. I has 2 modes, 1 for for fitting it to a single layer dvd the other platinium option offers slitting, episodes and main movie only. I have yet to find a DVD it doesn't work on. Over all there are lots of choices without being to complicated.
I wouldn't consider this the best but it certainly does a good job of decrypting newer DVD's,is freeware and gets updated regularly. Its so easy to use.If you cant figure how to use this tool then you shouldn't own a PC.
Better than Clonedvd2. With Clonedvd you need AnyDvd. This is all in one.
Can you explain Why ther is not contact No for Technical support as Ihave Bought one of your product and I can not be able to use it at is best! Regards Mr D. Fortuna
This is an all-in-one software. It does it all. No need for two or more apps to do the same thing. It has a decryptor, encoder, converter, customize tiles and menus plus more. It is user friendly, in fact it is so easy a caveman can do it.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 02 Mar 07 02:57
Still waiting for the tutorial for Platinum 3080. Any idea when it may be available? The Software is great, I would just like to take full advantage of it. Thanks a lot.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 10 Apr 07 23:31
No way this is working in 10 to 20 minutes to copy. It takes about an hour to decrypt and another 30-60 mins to write. Is this my issue or is it much slower than stated here?
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 16 Apr 07 04:04
Love DVD Fab Gold. It has overtaken 1 Click DVD Copy as my backup program of choice. As for dp's burning issue, there could be several possibilities. What speed are you burning? Also check to make sure you are burning in Ultra DMA mode. If you are not then your backup burn can take as long as you are reporting. It is likely you can do a search on this website for tips to check whether or not your DVD burner is doing so in Ultra DMA. I experienced your problem and this was the solution. Good Luck!!
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 30 Apr 07 00:59
excelent !
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 15 May 07 22:07
I keep having errors on bad sectors when attempting to decrypt DEJA VA with dvd decrypter and i tried cycling the bad sectors but keeps on doing 20 retries and fail. Can someone get back to me@ thanks, Mike
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 27 Jun 07 22:28
hello i recently stared to use dvd fab. i have 2 drives on my computer one to read the disc one to burn. When i use dvdFab it copys the dvd to my hard drive form the first drive then copys it to the 2nd drvie. Is their any setting in dvdFab that i can change to make it burn directly from one drive to the another. thanks
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 08 Jul 07 14:37
The product is awsome. First problem in over 2 years. Looking forward
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 17 Jul 07 07:39
I just downloaded the trial version of DVDFab platinum, and wanted to make back up copies of a few of my dvds. I have a fairly new computer...Windows XP...and it exceeds all the minimum specs. The computer has two DVD drives...both DVD dual layered writers, so I put the original movie in one and the blank dvd media (TDK DVD+R DL) in the other drive. I tried copying "Abominable" using both the whole disc and clone options, and while the movie copies fine I can't get the trailors or special features to play. The disc just freezes when I try to select the additional material. (I am playing them on a Panasonic DVD/VCR recorder that supports dual layer media.) I also tried coping ECW One night stand---using the clone method---and it won't even play on my DVD player. The other video I copied (which fit in a single disc and didn't require a dual layer) recorded fine. Any info on why the other two didn't work would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to this. I used to use DVD Xcopy (Perfect for people like me) and it always worked great, but I heard good things about this program so maybe i'm just doing something wrong.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 03 Aug 07 00:33
This software DVDFab is a whole lot better and more dependable than slysoft... Yet I paid for it money down the drain...Long Live DVDFab
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 06 Aug 07 18:23
I keep getting Error No media detected in drive
Please insert a compatible media to start the write process.
Please insert a compatible media to start the write process.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 24 Aug 07 03:00
I have used DVDfab before and it works on my dvd player. But now I am burning the dvd fine but when I put it in the player I get file not found and you can't read it on the computer either.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 30 Aug 07 16:59
I had the same message "no media detected in drive:E, please insert a compatible etc." I found that I had to completely disable "DVD43" to get rid of this problem. Actually I just got rid of "DVD43" as it is useless if you have "DVDFAB".
I have burnt hundreds of DVDs using DVDFab. I have 2 DVD burners and I use one as Source and one as Target. You must wait until the source disc is read and displayed and also wait until the light stops blinking on the Target drive with a blank DVD loaded. If you are in too much of a hurry you will get the error about the target drive having no disc and to load a blank disc. If you get this message you need to find the temp file that is ready to burn from and delete it. You can also copy a different DVD and that will ovewrite the Temp file. DO NOT HURRY the loading of both the Source and Target dics or else you will get the no disc inserted message.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 12 Sep 07 02:33
How do I find the temp file? I get this all the time! If you get this message you need to find the temp file that is ready to burn from and delete it. You can also copy a different DVD and that will ovewrite the Temp file. DO NOT HURRY the loading of both the Source and Target dics or else you will get the no disc inserted message.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 23 Sep 07 20:36
HELP, iI HAVE DEVFAB PLATINYUM AND UP UNTO A FEW DAYS AGO, I HAD NO PROBLEM BUT, NOW, IT TAKES 3-5 HOURS TO COPY A DVD....NOT COMPUTER SAVY BUT, PLEASE HELP!!!!
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 02 Oct 07 22:53
I have been using this program for a long while and I could say that I have never had any problems with it. The free version just takes protection out and copys to hard drive. You have to buy the program to get all of its benefits!
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 04 Oct 07 18:35
At stated earlier in the posts, when you experience any slow recording or burning, check the DMA settings for your controller (likely the secondary controller). (*Old school still rocks*)
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 09 Oct 07 01:17
I would be careful spending money on this product. I had the trial version, Platinum, and it is a great product, but when I bought it (it's been applied to my credit card) I did not get an acknowledgement nor a licence code despite numerous attempts and requests, not have any of my e-mails been answered. I have called my Credit card company to request a refund since they have not provided the advertised service
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 09 Oct 07 03:50
I've downloaded the DVDFab Platinum version, but each time I try to burn a DVD I get the same message at the beginning: Task_1 failed! Error=102(VTS_01_0.VOB 737280 393216) and the process ends. Any suggestions? I've been using DVD Region Free+CSS and Nero Burning for a while now with great success.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 24 Oct 07 15:13
HELP .. I have the trial version .. works PERFECTLY .. have burned DVDs that previously would not work with DVD Shrink .. QUESTION - where are the files being temporarily stored on my hard drive ... I've looked in the "temp" folder and found one .. but all the others that I've burned are nowhere to be found .. did a search .. can't seem to find them to remove them from taking up hard drive space .. please advise ..
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 13 Nov 07 08:50
This is a very good sw, i,m using it to copy DVD to PSP and works very good! I have used other programs such as Ultra DVD copy and this one is muche better! I haven't tested backing up DVD's movies anyway this is a very good program.
To the person that had trouble getting their license, make sure you keep on contacting them, they will help resolve the issue in your favor. These guys and Slysoft are two of the best in making software that allows you to back up your legally bought and paid for DVD's. I've also backed up my license key onto a flash drive and a Cd for safekeeping. I've use DVD Fab Platinum to backup/burn Spider-Man3 without even a hitch.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 19 Nov 07 23:24
Does anyone have a serial number for dvdfab 4.0.12? Is there anyway to download this version without it being a trial version? Tks. ron
Hi, I have the same question that rlillie had and that was, does anyone have a serial number for dvdfab 4.0.12? Is there anyway to download this version without it being a trial version? Thanks in advance :g
Hello I have 4.0.12 full version. i am having problem whenever i try to convert movie to generic format application crashes after short while from of time transcoding. but it copy it fine from dvd9 to dvd5. In other words i am converting it will crash after 10 sec or so once started... Anyhelp would be nice. Also i try with DEP on And off. no luck movie name is AN Inconvenient Truth
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 07 Dec 07 20:00
I'm using DVDFab on the trial period. I'm selecting the main movie and sometimes it copies to the DVD properly and sometimes not. My last try put special feature sound over the movie. I don't know why. :c
when converting a video for an ipod, is there any way to set the resolution to 640X480
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 10 Dec 07 11:47
:d :X
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 13 Dec 07 20:24
Question. I have DVDFab 4.0.1.2 and after backing a backup copy of Ratatouille and The Bourne Ultimatum all 4 of my dvd players says it is loading forever and never works. any recommendation. I purchased the copy of DVDFab Platinim.
I had been using this software for about three years and so far is the best software out there. I burned a few coasters like any other software but there is always a workaround solution. One thing that I like is that they finally change the interface, It looks more professional now but we still the same features. Overall in my opinion, this is a great software for DVD copying. Thanks Fengtao software for this great application.
I had been using this software for about three years and so far is the best software out there. I burned a few coasters like any other software but there is always a workaround solution. One thing that I like is that they finally change the interface, It looks more professional now but we still the same features. Overall in my opinion, this is a great software for DVD copying. Thanks Fengtao software for this great application.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 19 Dec 07 03:59
To those ppl looking for the file backups, Just use your "XP" Search and look for video files. All the backups will show along with their full file locations. To those looking for serials...Grow up and buy it. Its thieves like you that are backing up the time the creators and staff need for serving true clients. If you cant afford it, ask your mommas.
The DVDFab temp folder is by default in My docs in a folder named DVDFab. The folder will have a log folder and a temp folder inside. colino
Posted by lindagrace (guest) on Friday 07 December 2007 20:00 I'm using DVDFab on the trial period. I'm selecting the main movie and sometimes it copies to the DVD properly and sometimes not. My last try put special feature sound over the movie. I don't know why. I have the same problem - I emailed support my files back in Nov & haven't heard anything.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 02 Jan 08 01:29
:c HELP - My audio is 6 seconds behind video. Can some one please recommend settings change or know fix. At this point my daughter is unable to fully enjoy her ZUNE 80GB.
Help How do I burn 2 Dvd's onto one disc.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 21 Jan 08 23:09
:c keep getting message "No media detected in drive Please insert a compatible media to start the write process" Tried suggestions of earlier posts - still get that error - please help!
Please insert a compatible media to start the write process" Tried suggestions of earlier posts - still get that error - please help!
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 23 Jan 08 09:32
dvdfab will not open dvd source for SAW 4 any help ? i tried the older versions of dvdfab and dvd fab dycrpter nothing even download the free trial version of dvdcloner.
Will not do The Game Plan
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 29 Jan 08 03:55
I need help please. I newly purchased dvdfab platinum and my registration code is not working can someone please help me out I have movies that need to go back tonight. I need a code for the night please Its for my daughters movies.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 29 Jan 08 05:08
I tried all the following "fixes" - simply will not copy the audio from at least 4 different company DVS. Video is great - but largely worthless with no audio!! Solving “no audio” problems ….. Make a short test (1 or 2 chapters) from a DVD to a HDD folder (IFO/VOB, not ISO) and see if that will play with sound on your PC. If it does try encoding this short test (use the VIDEO_TS folder from the HDD) to an AVI and see if that will play. Use Customize mode to make this test rip and select the No Menus button. In the audio window, you will see a small green arrow (on the far left) pointing to one of the audio streams. Make sure it is the correct one (this is the default audio that will be automatically selected by the player or player software). You can change the default audio by clicking above or below the green arrow to make it point to a different audio stream. Let us know how this works out and what results you get. Both tests worked perfectly. I was able to play the VOB in Nero and the AVI in Nero and Media player. Both the audio and video were perfect! Hey, allright! Don't know why the ISO-sourced AVIs are messed up. Maybe this will be a good alternative for you. Don't forget if you want both a DVD backup and an AVI for a PVP, if you UNcheck the box in Common Settings that automatically deletes the temp file you can rip the AVI from that--much faster than reading and decrypting again from the original DVD. Thanks for your help! But I'm a little confused about how to get a full dvd backup to ISO this way. Do I follow the same steps I used for the test but select all the chapters? Then convert the VOB to ISO? What about the menus? Sorry, I'm a bit of a clueless newbie. Hi,Pompeii. Yes, you could just follow the same steps, just don't make any changes to the chapter settings. To get an ISO output, just click on the little disc icon to the right of the target area. But why do you need an ISO? DVDFab works well with the normal IFO/VOB output.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 30 Jan 08 18:38
When I first started using DVD Fab I had to split my movies into two disks. Now that we have double layer disks and a much improved DVD Fab, is there a way to stitch those old movies back together? Thanks Dave
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 03 Feb 08 08:50
man i love this program does everithing copys convert and soo good picture quality all other program are shit this is the best copy sofware on the market removes copy protection everything dowload dowload :+ 
:+
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 04 Feb 08 19:09
ok i have this genius program its goodd everithing you nedd to backup dvds i have it 5 years and its great alll in 1 convert your dvds to xvid the quality is even bether the axxos rips best
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 11 Feb 08 03:48
I,ve had this program for ONE day and the first DVD I copied caused me to lose all verbal sound on my DVD system. I can get background sound, but no voices. 
I started out using dvd shrink free version) years ago and then it was stopped by the host's goverment . I then went to 1click dvd copy pro (you need a decrypter with this one, I use dvd decrypter 43 (free). I then went to DVDFab platinum about two years ago. Works great with me. Every now and then I nd a movie it cannot copy so I try 1click dvd copy pro (Ikeep both programs) and it usally copies. I also still use dvd shrink once in a while. However, I would say I use DVDFab plat. about 96% of the time - LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS _ I have a %%" Sony HDTV and the dvds look great on it. :B
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 24 Feb 08 03:42
I downloaded all the versions but none of them can work for my blu-ray disc,although it says that it support HD DVD and Blu-ray(you can see the lie here:http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm). I use SONY Blu-ray device. Fab can find the device rightly,but can't add the device as copying source!
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 04 Mar 08 23:45
I have been using dvdfab platnium for 2 years now, but since I upgraded to the dvdfab platnium 4, after opening the program and it starts to read the disk to copy, the program closes immediately. It won't work. Don't know what I am doing wrong. Can someone help me? :c
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 12 Mar 08 22:31
After searching for a long time, i find this program to be great, Rips awsome. Problem, I get off color and a large green line on the side of the movie when i convert to .AVI file. Same thing happens when i used DIVX Converter. was hoping this would solve that but it is not. Any suggestions on how to fix this??
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 17 Mar 08 19:06
I've tried to register on CD Freaks without success, so I'll post my discovery here to be passed on to the DVDFab forum. Bee Movie disables PathPlayer. Not only that, having a copy of Bee Movie on your computer disables PathPlayer for all other movies, AND all other versions of DVDFab! It doesn't mater if you uninstall, clean the registry, etc. Looks like another root-kit to me. Please pass this on to the forum. People there appear to be missing the point.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 21 Mar 08 18:39
i put in the dvd i want to burn put in my blank dvd and then i go to the the dvd and it wont let me it says i have no media detected in drive E....? what do i do i have use more that one type of blank dvd
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 29 Mar 08 21:50
Hi, I have upgraded over time to the DVDFAB Plat 4 program. When it got to around version 4.055 it stopped working on my computer. I pop a DVD in and it stops and give me a read error message. Note, this is in the reading mode of the original DVD. If I click ignore all errors it takes forever. I have tried ALL the updates to ver 4020. DOes this program have any compatibility issues with other programs? I suspect this is my problem as I have used it flawlessly for a long time. I suspect it's either ConvertXtoDVD or CloneDVD4. I have a Pioneer 115D drive with firmware 1.118. ANy help? Thx!
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 01 Apr 08 15:19
I have problem with DVDfab Platinum4,. The problem is when I click the start copy button, the system prompt "No Media Detacted in Drive D: - Please insert a compatible media to start the write process". Please help.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 26 May 08 18:54
I have used dvd fab 4 for a long time worked great,now i own dvd fab 5 ,I had my pc worked on and the first day it worked ok.but after disk clean up and defragmenting I can no longer use it for some reason.It does not recognize the disc,or if it does it it just scans it and does not stop scanning it .In main menu it does not ,in source it doesn't even say it is scanning ,and somtimes it jumps from main to full menu for no reason.Can some one helpme please.
Hi,my name is Twix and I have been using dvd fab a long time and I have upgraded to 5.0.3.0 and have been sucessful but today I tried coping the Spiderwick Chronicles and it seem to be sucessfull but when put into my dvd players ,(all 3 it has error on disc) or no data on disc.Have I missed something here?I copied Fools Gold and it worksfine and I tried it again and it will not play on my dvd players.Can someone help me pease.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 01 Jul 08 04:52
Twix- I had the same problem. It looks as if it burned perfectly but the last 2 minutes of the movie it stops playing. I got "burn failed" on 4 disks. Used RipIt4Me with same reuslts. I am at a loss right now. Can't find any information anywhere. Does anyone have advice or solutions
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 30 Jul 08 03:20
Same here regarding Spiderwick. I updated my DVDFab to the version as of July 28, still no luck. Found this while googling for what would work on that movie.
I love DVDFAB :g
:g
The latest update to dvdfab is flawed. On some computers it causes assertion failure during the burning process. I have bee advised to wait for the next update.
The latest update to dvdfab is flawed. On some computers it causes assertion failure during the burning process. I have bee advised to wait for the next update.