Hi there, I hope this is the right forum to ask about my questions..

I just bought a new Sony DRX-810UL with a manufacturing date of "2005 August" (printed on the case label.) I bought this external DVD burner in a hope to get a BenQ DW1640 inside. Judging by the manufacturing date, I think the chance to get a DW1650 should be very slim. Though, I am still concerned that I might get a DRU-810A-R inside which is actually a DW1650.

So, here are my questions before I crossflash my DRX-810UL. I'd appreciate advice from those who have done the same before...

1) The 810UL enclosure has both USB & Firewire connections. Which connection is recommended for a safer crossflashing? Or, is it better for me to open up the enclosure and take the drive out, then put it in a PC and crossflash it with the proven IDE connection? Would the control chipset in the Sony enclosure do anything to hinder crossflashing?

2) If I can use USB or Firewire connection to do fireware upgrade, what crossflasher program is recommended for such an external connection? Do we still use BQFlasher as usual? And, is BEFB the best firmware for this external BenQ yet? Do we have an RPC1 version for that?

3) Back to the guessing game - I wonder if there is a sure way to tell what drive is inside the enclosure without having to open it up. Have any of you ever heard anyone get a DW1650 and got it killed by crossflashing it to a DW1640/EW164B firmware (like the 810A/810A-R case)? Would the manufacturing date suffice to judge the internal model? (BTW, the current firmware version on this unit is "2.0b".) Do you know when BenQ DW1650 was introduced to the market -- if it's way later than August, 2005, I guess that means it's quite unlikely that I get a DW1650 inside..

Thanks for reading and bearing with my lengthy questions.. I appreciate any advice, be it from a success or failure experience..