Plextor Introduces CD-RW Drive With 24X-Write, 10X-Rewrite, and 40X-Read; PoweRec-II Technology Ensures Highest Quality Write Using Zone-CLV Servo Positioning.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 2001

Plextor(R) Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance CD-related equipment and software, today announced the immediate availability of the 3-in-1 PlexWriter(TM) 24/10/40A drive. The new internal drive with E-IDE interface, features 24X CD-Write, 10X CD-Rewrite, and 40X-max CD-Read, making it one of the fastest CD-RW drives available on the market today.

The PlexWriter 24/10/40A is the industry's first CD-RW drive to feature PoweRec-II(TM) technology. This sophisticated media-writing strategy guarantees recording results across a broad base of certified media. A unique feature calibrates the drive to each disc to ensure the highest quality write operation using Zone-CLV servo positioning. This process not only produces the highest quality written disc possible, but it also increases recording performance. As a result, the PlexWriter's 24X CD-Write speed leaps over conventional 16X CD-R speeds, enabling users to record an entire 74-minute compact disc in just under four minutes (233 seconds).

"PoweRec-II technology combined with BURN-Proof reliability puts the PlexWriter 24/10/40A several generations ahead of other CD-RW drives," said Howard Wing, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Plextor. "The Zone-CLV servo positioning actually increases recording speeds by approximately 25 percent, while guaranteeing that recorded discs can be read back later on any drive. We don't believe that our customers should have to sacrifice excellent recording quality for faster recording speed -- or vise-versa -- so the new PlexWriter 24/10/40A delivers on both speed and quality."

PlexWriter 24/10/40A CD-RW Drive

The versatile PlexWriter 24/10/40A CD-RW drive lets users write, rewrite, and read compact discs at a variety of speeds, including 24X CD-recording, 10X CD-rewriting, and 40X max CD-playback. With a data buffer capacity of 4 MB, average random access time is a very fast 140ms. Burst transfer rates are 33 MB/sec (Ultra DMA Mode 2) and 16.6 MB/sec (PIO Mode 4/DMA Mode 2).

The internal drive features an E-IDE (ATAPI-4) interface and is Windows 95/98/2000/NT/ME Plug & Play compatible (and now Windows XP Ready), making installation faster and easier than ever before, and enabling end-users to begin copying and sharing files with drag-and-drop simplicity within minutes of opening the box. The drive supports a wide variety of writing modes, including Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Session-at-Once, Multisession, and variable/fixed packet writing.

The PlexWriter 24/10/40A also features BURN-Proof(TM) (buffer underrun-proof) technology, which ensures fault-tolerant CD burning. BURN-Proof prevents errors from occurring when data flow to the drive is interrupted during the recording process due to slow source-drive performance, PC configuration problems, or other active applications. By allowing users to surf the Web, download files, and utilize other applications while a CD records in the background, this error-reducing technology makes CD-recording more practical than ever before.

PoweRec II guarantees consistent and high quality writing.

All Plextor CD-RW drives contain a media catalog of all certified media, listed by manufacturer and part number. This catalog is stored in ROM and is used to set the appropriate "Write Strategy" for the disc being recorded. This feature not only enables the drive to successfully burn a disc at high-speed, but assures the user that the disc has been written as precisely as possible, improving the playback ability on all other CD drives, even those of poorer quality. This assurance comes even though the disc media itself might contain some imperfections.

Plextor's 24/10/40A CD-RW drive also features a highly sophisticated algorithm that checks the quality of the media at each stage of its Z-CLV write process. Once a zone has been reached, the drive will optimize its laser power to begin writing at the highest speed possible, while maintaining superb write quality. A feedback mechanism, controlled by firmware, monitors the results of the write process for conformity.

About Plextor

Plextor Corp. is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance CD-related equipment for professional use in business and networked environments. Since opening its headquarters in Silicon Valley in 1990, Plextor has introduced numerous generations of award-winning optical storage products, including CD-ROM, CD-Recordable, and CD-ReWritable drives. Plextor's product line is supported by customized software applications such as CD-ResQ and Plextor Manager 2000.

Plextor is privately owned by Shinano Kenshi Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of advanced technology hardware and precision electronic equipment headquartered in Japan. Shinano Kenshi is best known for its expertise in manufacturing motors.

Note to Editors: PlexWriter is a trademark of Plextor Corp. BURN-Proof is a trademark of Sanyo Electric Co., LTD. All other trademarks, trade names, registered trademarks, or registered trade names are the property of their respective holders.