Plasmon Data Turns Up the Heat On CD-R Scene with New $699 AFTERBURNER Plug-and-Play CD-Recorder; New universal CD-R solution features easy to install 2x-writer, 4x-reader bundled with fully featured versions of leading recording, backup and multimedia software.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 1996--Plasmon Data Inc., manufacturer of a wide range of optical storage solutions and one of the two leading suppliers of MO jukeboxes worldwide, today announced its next generation CD-Recorder, the AFTERBURNER 4240.

With prices starting at $699, the Universal Model of the AFTERBURNER 4240 consists of a plug-and-play CD-recorder (internal) and all the software needed by either a Mac or PC user to perform a comprehensive range of operations, from simple backup to sophisticated audio/video mastering -- within minutes of opening the box. For users requiring a SCSI adapter card, a Premium Model priced at $769 adds an Adaptec SCSI card, cable and multimedia enthusiast software. Prices for external versions of the AFTERBURNER are $769 and $869 for the Universal and Premium models, respectively. Unlike competitive product offerings, the AFTERBURNER includes only fully-featured, name-brand software with complete documentation. It supports all popular operating systems, including Macintosh, Windows 3.1x, Win '95 and Windows NT. The AFTERBURNER series is now shipping.

"With the AFTERBURNER CDR 4240, Plasmon offers a fully-featured, yet easy to install and easy to use CD-Recording solution at a price that finally puts CD-Recording into the realm of horizontal applications," said Dr. Phil Storey, President of Plasmon Data, Inc. "For the PC user, the AFTERBURNER is the first truly plug-and-play CD-Recorder with comprehensive software that does everything from simple backup to mastering. For the Mac user, the primary benefits are interchangeability and a price that provides a compelling alternative to replace outmoded and costly Syquest cartridges. Our goal with the AFTERBURNER is to establish a brand name synonymous with ease of use and real value for the dollar. As a member of OSTA, Plasmon is committed to providing industry accepted standards-compliant solutions that offer users the greatest cross-platform compatibility and reliable data interchange."

Key AFTERBURNER Features

Ease of Installation: The First True Plug and Play CD-Recorder

The AFTERBURNER drive is literally self-configuring, eliminating the time-consuming installation procedures associated with other CD-R drives. Installing an AFTERBURNER takes just minutes, not hours. From the time it is plugged in, the unit functions immediately as a standard CD-ROM drive without the need for special software drivers. The device will operate as a CD-Recorder once the Incat CD-R software has been installed.

The majority of CD Recorders report themselves as Type 4 devices, i.e., WORM (Write Once, Read Many). Operating systems cannot recognize such drives, so the solution has been to provide third party drivers to make the recorder function as a CD-ROM drive. Other work-arounds, such as real mode drivers under Windows 95, have been devised, but are ill-suited to most users. To further complicate issues, several CD Recorders report themselves as Type 5, i.e., CD-ROM, but fail to actually operate as CD-ROM drives. The AFTERBURNER 4240, however, both reports itself as a true Type 5 device, and operates under Windows 3.1x, Windows 95 and Windows NT as a standard CD-ROM reader right out of the box.

Faster Read Speeds; Support for Popular Recording Methods

The AFTERBURNER 4240 offers both double-speed recording and quad-speed reading, with a disc access time of 230msec (4x random), which is faster than previous models. The unit is also capable of handling all popular write/recording methods, including disc at once, multisession recording, track at once and packet writing. By making CD-R discs appear like any other removable disk storage, packet writing eliminates the need to pre-stage data to avoid buffer overrun, making recording simpler and more reliable.

Target Markets

Target markets for the AFTERBURNER include software developers and publishers, advertising agencies, digital photography studios, internet providers and web site designers, catalog producers, sample CD audio and mastering producers, service bureaus, prepress houses, trade press shops, magazine publishers, research organizations, graphic design professionals, industrial engineers and just about everyone at the corporate level, from Manufacturing to Marketing.

AFTERBURNER Universal Model

Both the internal and external versions of the Universal model include all of the following software, providing support for most popular desktop operating systems in a single package:

Windows 3.1x: Incat Easy-CD Pro MM

As the MM 16-bit application creates ISO compliant discs as well as mixed mode, audio and Mode 2, it runs equally well under Windows 95 with no restrictions on features, enabling the user to:

-- create a virtual CD image with a simple drag and drop interface -- incrementally add data to a disc via multisession -- drag files across a network and create a local image -- reposition files for improved efficiency over the CD layout -- read ISO tracks from existing CDs -- mix data and/or audio on a CD via a cue sheet -- re-sample audio to 44.1 Hz through the Waves editor

System requirements: Minimum 486SX-33, 4MB RAM, 19ms hard drive with minimum 600KB/s transfer rate, SCSI card.

For Windows 95 & NT: Incat Easy-CD Pro 95

In addition to the features of the MM software, further benefits include:

-- long file name support -- CD copy function (with suitable SCSI CD-ROM drive or PD2000) -- read audio directly via SCSI -- make audio compilation discs from multiple source discs on-the-fly -- full 32-bit application

System requirements: Minimum 486DX-33, 8MB RAM, 19ms hard drive with minimum 600KB/s transfer rate, SCSI card.

For Apple Macintosh: Incat Easy-CD Pro For Mac

Included with the base external model, this authoring software comes on a separate diskette. It supports HFS in addition to the ISO standard file system. As with the MM edition, full features are provided for effective CD mastering without compromises or restrictions. Specific Apple Macintosh features enable:

-- recording of AIFF audio files as standard CD-Audio discs -- copying of entire Macintosh volumes or partitions from any SCSI

device in the Mac's native HFS format

System requirements: Minimum 68040/25 or any Power Mac, 8MB RAM, 19ms hard drive with minimum 600KB/s transfer rate, System 7.x.

For Win 3.1x: Easy-CD Backup Software -0-

    In addition to the MM software, the Universal Model includes
backup software that:

-- reduces the normal overheads associated with typical session
   recording
-- is suitable for personal backup and archiving due to support of the
   verify option
-- can convert a backup CD to a standard ISO 9660 format, allowing it
   to be read in industry standard CD-ROM drives
-- can access backup data in randomly without waiting for a tape to
   reposition
-- can read data without the need for proprietary restore software
-- maintains previous or older files on the CD
-- provides a high reliability of recorded data-0- The AFTERBURNER Premium Model

Aimed at PC users without a spare SCSI card, the Premium Model adds an Adaptec SCSI card, cable and Media Maestro multimedia software to the Universal Model. Media Maestro is the complete interactive solution for multimedia enthusiasts. It includes 10 multimedia applications on one CD, including:

-- Interactive Multimedia Presentation Program -- Video Editor -- Video Wallpaper -- Video Logo Generator -- Video Jukebox -- Video Screen Saver -- Media File Finder

AFTERBURNER Models and Pricing -0-

MODEL                     CONTENTS                            PRICE
CDR4240i              Internal drive only                      $620
CDR4240i-S1/Universal Internal drive, one CD-R disc & INCAT    $699
                      sware for PC/Mac
CDR4240i-PC/Premium   Universal model & SCSI int. cable,       $769
                      Adaptec card, Maestro sw
CDR4240e              External drive & one CD-R disc           $720
CDR4240e-S1/Universal External drive, one CD-R disc & INCAT    $769
                      sware for PC/Mac
CDR4240e-PC/Premium   Universal model & SCSI ext. cable,       $869
                      Adaptec card, Maestro swAbout the Company

Plasmon Data, Inc., headquartered in San Jose, CA, is a member of the Plasmon Group, worldwide manufacturer of optical jukeboxes, CD-Recorders, CD-R and optical media. Plasmon Data provides Sales, Marketing and Technical Services for the U.S. market, from its offices in San Jose, Minneapolis, and Rockville, MD. Founded in 1982, Plasmon offers a wide range of 51/4B2 optical storage solutions plus affordable CD-Recorders and PD/CD drives for all major platforms and for all segments of today's storage market. The company headquarters is located at 2045 Junction Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95131, and can be attached by phone at 800/445-9400 or 408/474-0100, by fax at 408/474-0111 or on the Internet at http://www.plasmon.com.

CONTACT: Plasmon Data, Inc.

Margaret Hamburger, 612/942-2952

[e-mail]

or

High Performance Marketing

Laura Ness, 408/338-1416

[e-mail]