Toshiba Brings The Best Of All Worlds Together With First Combination CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive

The Disk Products Business Unit of Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC) continues to be at the forefront of optical storage innovation with the introduction of the first CD-RW drive with the high-capacity storage of DVD-ROM. Because of its backward compatibility and low cost media, the SD-R1002 drive also provides customer with a sound investment and an effortless transition from CD to DVD.""The SD-R1002 CD-RW/DVD-ROM driver is the first of its kind to meet all of those needs, and underscores Toshibaís ability to deliver innovative, tailored solutions to our customers,"" said Maciek Brzeski, Vice President, Marketing, TAEC Disk Products.Brought Together Through Toshiba InnovationAs a leader in optical storage products, Toshiba leverages its technology expertise to bring the SD-R1002 drive to market. The drive combines key technology from CD-RW and DVD-ROM including lasers and LSIs from both, as well as a combination pick-up head. For easy set up and compatibility, the SD-R1002 drive has an ATAPI interface.The SD-R1002 drive is built to give the best performance for data, multimedia and storage environment. The drive reads CD-RW/CD-R media, which has a capacity of 17GB per disc. The drive also features a fast writing speed of 4X for CD-R and CD-RW, and employs a full 24Xspeed maximum playback for CD-ROM and 4X for DVD-ROM.Designed To Satisfy Todayís Needs and Tomorrowís DemandsToshibaís new CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive was designed to provide customers with an easy way to transition from CD to DVD while satisfying the demand for local backup, cost-effective data archiving and data interchange. Because the SD-R1002 drive uses universal technology, it is compatible across portable computers, desktop systems, workstations and servers. In addition, optical recording offers a low cost per megabyte, the longest archive life of any media and is highly durable. Also, it adheres to the DVD Forumís DVD-ROM specifications.""CD-RW and DVD-ROM are poised to be two of the fastest growing technologies over the next few years,"" said John Freedman, president, Strategic Marketing Decisions. ""Today, users have to choose between CD-RW writability or DVD-ROM compatibility. A product that gives them the functionality of both technologies should be very well received by the market.""For increased storage capacities, heightened video and audio playback and faster access to data, DVD-ROM is the obvious choice. Some of the most popular applications for DVD-ROM are gaming, interactive software, software distribution and data storage. DVD-ROM drives are backward compatible with all CD technology and have a planned growth path that will lead to future generations of DVD products to support usersí needs well into the future.CD-RW provides users with a cost-effective way to record and playback digital quality sound and video or to rewrite and backup data onto CD-RW or CD-R media. These drives satisfy many individual and business needs such as software distribution, back-up, recording or playing personalized CD-audio disks and running CD-ROM applications. Like DVD-ROM, CD-RW is a sound investment because of its compatibility with CD-R and CD-ROM. CD-RW and CD-R media can also be read by other CD-ROM drives, making it a viable replacement for floppy drives.The SD-R1002 is a half-height drive that fits into all standard desktop computer drive bays. The drive measures 146mm (w) x 41.5mm (h) x 193mm (d).Pricing and AvailabilityThe SD-R1002 drives are sold primarily to value-added resellers, system integrators and distributors. The drives are available now in sample quantities and began shipping in volume this last September. Pricing is not available at this time.The drive is also be available as part of a kit which include supporting hardware and software. The kit is also now available. Suggested list price of the SD-R1002 kit will be less than $400.Disk Products Business UnitTEAC Disk Products leads the marked in the development, design and manufacturing of DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM and CD-ROM and CD-RW drives and 2.5-inch hard disk drives. Disk Products market high quality peripherals to original equipment manufacturers, value-added resellers, value-added dealers, systems integrators and distributors in the United States. Inherent in the companyís product line is the high-quality engineering and manufacturing which has established Toshiba products as worldwide leaders.About ToshibaToshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) is the North American design, manufacturing, marketing and sales arm of Toshiba Corporation, a global technology innovator. TAEC is recognized as a leading supplier of semiconductor, electronic component and storage solutions. The company delivers technology solutions that enable OEMs to develop advanced integrated products for the computing, networking, communications and digital consumer markets. In fact, its technology offerings account for more than 30 percent of the total possible components used in desktop and portable computers. By continuing to develop leading-edge solutions that cost-effectively meet the emerging needs of the design engineering community, TAEC keeps its customers in touch with tomorrow.

For additional information, visit TAECís Web site at, http://www.diskproducts.toshiba.com.