Ahead's InCD 4, CD/DVD Packet Writing at Its Best; Drive Letter Application to Set the Standard Once Again.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CeBIT 2003

HANNOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 2003

Ahead Software, the makers of Nero, the technology leader in CD/DVD recording, has released InCD 4, a proactive CD/DVD packet writing application. This proprietary application was developed by Ahead's engineers to raise the bar on packet writing. Geared toward OEMs, InCD 4's auto-detect, hot-plugging and Plug and Play features make installation and use easier than for any previous packet writing application.

InCD 4's auto-detect feature uses a generic core code, bypassing ID string lists specific to recorders, allowing packet writing immediately after the software or recorder is installed. Minimum drive requirements are MMC read; write; get drive status; get disc info; and get drive info operations. In addition, hot-plugging and Plug and Play are supported by InCD 4 to simplify installation even further.

"InCD 4 is by far the easiest, most reliable and fastest packet writing application available," said Udo Eberlein, President of Ahead Software Inc. "There is no learning curve. Any user on any level can use InCD in a matter of seconds-just drag, drop and burn."

Another important new feature is InCD 4's Defective Block Management (DBM) for CD-RWs, DVD+RWs and DVD-RWs. If the recording device detects a defect on the disc when given the WRITE command, the DBM ensures that no data is lost by avoiding the defective area and writing to a safe area. InCD 4 will also prevent future writing errors by skipping the defective area altogether.

In addition, InCD 4 supports fast user switching under Windows XP with full OS integration and minimal graphical user interface. Basic recording operations are available via the right-click menu under the Windows Explorer specific property page for the optical recorder being used and an optional tray bar icon.

It is also possible to Eject/Re-load via Windows Explorer and to hard eject via the eject button on the recorder on all operating systems.

Other features include an Easy Write Reader on MRW discs and a local html page with information users can consult if the operating system is not Mt. Rainier compatible. A localized html information page on legacy discs can be read on all systems that do not have a UDF reader driver. InCD 4 fully supports CD-RW, CD-MRW, DVD+RW, DVD+MRW, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM (available Q/03) formats, including support for Low/High/Ultra Speed CD-RW (21/74/80 min discs). It is also fully compliant with the UDF 1.50 standard in legacy mode, UDF 1.02 standard, Mt Rainier specification, and fully read or write compatible with InCD 3.x discs (legacy and Mt Rainier).

InCD 4 is supported by Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2K/XP.

Minimum system requirements:

    Hard disk space: 8MB
    RAM: 32MB (64 for XP)Processor:
    Pentium 166 - Windows 95/98/NT4; Pentium 233 - Windows ME;
    Pentium II 366-Windows 2k/XP or any AMD processor of equivalent
    speed
    Recorder: MMC Compliant, Multi-read CD-R/RW Burner

About Ahead

Ahead Software is the technology leader in CD and DVD recording solutions. Headquartered in Karlsbad, Germany, with a subsidiary located in Glendale, California, Ahead has a global customer base including manufacturers, OEM's, distributors and retail partners. Nero Burning Rom along with Nero Express is the World's premier CD/DVD application software. Related products include InCD, NeroVision Express, and Nero ShowTime. Nero Digital is the most complete MPEG-4 audio and video compression technology available to date, including state-of-the-art audio with MPEG-4 High Efficiency AAC.

Ahead Software is a member of the MPEG-4 Industry Forum and takes part in M4IF's interoperability tests.

Note to Editors: Nero(R) is a registered trademark, InCD is a trademark of Ahead Software AG. Any other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.