By: Blood

Company: AOpen

I was recently given the task of writing about the AOpen 1640 Pro DVD player. Frankly I was a little bored with the idea of writing on a plain old boring DVD drive, you’ve seen one you’ve seen ‘em all; Right? Wrong! The 1640 Pro by AOpen is a technological marvel, with a trayless front loading system, similar to those found in car stereos, and blazing speeds of 16X DVD and 40X read, this DVD player blows away the competition. For all you tech nuts out there here are the specifications:

Interface: E-IDE / ATAPI (SFF-8090, SFF8020)/Ultra-DMA Mode-2 (33.3 MB/sec)/
MW-DMA Mode-2 (16.6 MB/sec)

Speed: DVD-ROM: 16X, CD-ROM: 40X

· Disc Format: DVD family: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-Video/CD family: CD-DA, CD-ROM/XA, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-I, Video CD, Photo-CD, CD-Extra

· Sustained Data Transfer Rate: DVD-ROM: 22160 KBytes/sec (10X) /CD-ROM: 6000 KBytes/sec (40X)

· Disc Storage Capacity: DVD-ROM: 4.7 GB (Single Layer), 8.5 GB (Dual Layer)
/CD-ROM: 656 MB (Mode 1), 748 MB (Mode 2)

· Data Buffer Size: 512 KB

· MTBF: 100,000 POH (20% duty)

· Audio Specification:
Line Output : 0.7 Vrms Typ. (RL = 10k W)
Headphones : 0.45 Vrms Typ. (RL = 32 W) SPDIF digital audio output supported

· Power Requirement: 5V, 12V ( 5%)

· Temperature: 5 ~ 45 ^oC (operating)

· Humidity: 15 ~ 85 % RH (operating)

· Dimensions: 5.83"(W) * 1.67"(H) * 8.17"(D) / (148 mm * 42.3 mm * 207.5   mm)

· Weight: Less than 2.2 lbs (1.0 kg)

· Mount Position: Both Horizontal and Vertical

· EMI Requirement: FCC-B,CE,C-tick

            · Safety Requirement: UL, CUL, DHHS, TUV

For the rest of you, here are the key features.

16X DVD-ROM Transfer Rate Up To 22160 KB/sec

40X CD-ROM Transfer Rate Up To 6000 KB/sec

Supported IDE / Ultra-DMA33 and MW-DMA Mode 2

Supported DVD and CD Formats Including CD-R/RW and DVD-R/RW

Slot-In Loading Mechanism / Vertically and Horizontally Use

Enjoy the highest transfer rate ever, the result of AOpen's constant efforts toward R&D. The first 16X speed DVD-ROM drive is introduced. As one "Principal Member of DVD-Forum", AOpen has remained focused on providing high-quality optical storage devices that meet the needs of customers in a range of fields. "DVD-1640 Pro" provides leading performance of 16X DVD-ROM and 40X CD-ROM functions.

The sustained data transfer rate of DVD media is up to 22160 KB/sec, by comparison, which is around 148X CD-ROM drive. Additional enhancements include the digital servo mechanism and CAV techonology keeps the drive on track, DDS (Dynamic Damping System) to soak up vibration to help minimize error and to improve the stability of reading of CD or DVD formats including CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW.

AOpen product is manufactured and tested under strict ISO9001 certified facilities, AOpen quality assurance standards, and complying with the world’s most rigid safety standards. The DVD-1640 Pro offers a consistently high level of quality, compatibility, reliability and outstanding performance. This drive can give you the edge you need in entering the world of multimedia.

Okay well now that’s out of the way lets get into the drive. The drive comes with an easy to use installation manual, screws, and all the cables you will need. In the way of software you will find your standard device drivers, and a bundle copy of PowerDVD v2.55. PowerDVD is an excellent software based decoder and anyone on a modern system should have no trouble viewing their favorite DVDs.

I installed the drive and all the software that came with it. The software installation was easy and painless, this is a definite pro. I then put in my first CD, Balder’s Gate 2. I am used to placing my CD’s in the tray then waiting for several seconds for my drive to decided there is anything in there, then waiting several more seconds to load anything up. It has been my experience with CD-Rom drives that I can prepare a five course meal in the time it takes for my computer to do anything after it recognizes there is a CD in the tray. Well the AOpen 1640 Pro is the first drive I have used that instantly, yes instantly, ran my CD the second it entered the drive. I finally picked up my lower jaw and ejected my CD and re-inserted it several more times to make sure I had seen right. At this point I decided that no matter how the 1640 Pro did on the benchmarks I would recommend it for this feature alone.

While on the topic of features I would like to praise AOpen and whine to everyone else out there about the trayless front loading system. I realize this system has it’s flaws however for anyone who has kids, or has slid their chair into their drive, accidentally breaking the tray, you know what I mean when I say "The tray is a bad idea". I have suffered through numerous broken trays on my own machines and friend’s. The front loading trayless system that AOpen has incorporated into this drive makes it a delight for those of us that are a little clumsy, or have kids. Frankly I wish other manufacture’s would take note and follow AOpen’s lead with this drive. 

After three straight hours of inserting and ejecting CD's the novelty finally wore off and I decided to run some benchmarks. I decided to see what it could do with NBA Live.

As we can see from the picture above it is a hair slower than a 32x CD-ROM however not by much. Let's look at some other results.

Ok now let's try a DVD, X-Men will do.

With a DVD the performance dropped dramatically. Did I notice a difference while watching a DVD, no. All in all I was impressed with the AOpen 1640 Pro DVD player and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a fast no nonsense DVD player. The AOpen 1640 Pro DVD player can be found for a very reasonable price usually around $100.  

PROS

An excellent bargain at $100.

Excellent Software. 

Extremely fast response time.

Trayless Front loading system. 

CONS

None.

Buy This Product Today From www.mixpc.com

Again we would like to thank AOpen for supplying us with such outstanding products to review.