First Look: Sony’s Second Generation DVD+RW/+R and CD-R/RW Drives

Wayne N. Kawamoto
Managing Editor, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

Sony Electronics announced its next generation of DVD+RW drives, which support write-once recording on DVD+R discs. Both the DRU-120A ATAPI internal model and the DRX-120L i.LINK external burner combine DVD+RW/+R and CD-R/RW recording with DVD-ROM and CD-ROM playback.

According to the company, the new DVD+RW/+R and CD-R/RW combo drives and software suite will let users seamlessly back-up or store up to 4.7GB of computer data on a disc, transfer and convert more than two hours of (MPEG-2) digital video footage from a camcorder or VCR, and play back DVD-ROM and CD-ROM discs. Both models support up to 2.4X maximum writing speed for DVD+R/+RW discs, 12X maximum recording speed for CD-R discs, and 10X maximum recording speed for CD-RW discs. For users of i.LINK (IEEE 1394)-equipped PCs, the DRX-120L provides plug-and-play connectivity and the ability to daisy-chain other i.LINK devices (such as DV camcorders) to the drive.

DVD&CD Software Suite
The combo drives come with a software suite that lets users create customized DVDs and CDs for video, music and data storage.

The following are included in the software bundle:

-B’s CLiP is packet writing software that allows users to drag and drop files and folders to DVD+RW and CD-RW discs as easily as to a floppy disk or hard drive;

-B’s Recorder GOLD is mastering software that lets users create back-up copies of DVDs and CDs, as well as customized video, music and data DVDs and CDs from various file formats;

-Retrospect Express is back-up software that provides users with instant back-up and disaster recovery capabilities;

-CyberLink’s PowerDVD is DVD-Video playing software that enables interactive viewing of both DVD-Video and Video CD discs on a PC;

-MedioStream’s neoDVD authoring software that lets users create custom DVD-Video and Video CD discs from digital or analog video tape; and

-MUSICMATCH. Jukebox offers a personal music system to play, record, organize and discover new music with a guide to thousands of streams of personalized music programming.

Availability, Pricing and Warranty
The Sony DRU-120A will be available in May for a suggested retail price of $499.99, and the DRX-120L model drive will be available in June for a suggested retail price of $599.99.