SONY UNVEILS PORTABLE CD-RW/DVD-ROM DRIVE.Sony Electronics has unveiled a portable, battery-operated CD-RW (CD-ReWritable) The only rewritable CD technology. CD-RW disks look like other CD media, but with close inspection, they have a more polished surface with a very dark blue-gray cast. and DVD-ROM DVD-ROM: see digital versatile disc. A read-only DVD disc used to permanently store data files. DVD-ROM discs are widely used to distribute large software applications that exceed the capacity of a CD-ROM disc. drive that doubles as a standalone CD, MP3 and WAV player. The new versatile device (model MPD-AP20U) incorporates a Memory Stick media slot and operates on a rechargeable battery to provide users with the ultimate all-in-one burner/player whether at home, in the office, or on the go. The lightweight drive includes a hi-speed USB USB in full Universal Serial Bus Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems, printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. interface for plug-and-play connectivity and comes with easy-to-use software for Macintosh and Windows platforms. The sleek and silvery device enables computer users to perform common CD-R/RW burning tasks, such as backing up data, recording digital images and creating original music CDs at up to 24X speed. When connected to a computer, the MPD-AP20U also operates as a DVD-ROM drive for viewing DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. movies, and as a Memory Stick media reader for viewing, saving and transferring files. When detached from a computer, the drive works as a stand-alone CD player that can play back standard audio CDs, as well as MP3 and WAV files from either a CD, DVD, or Memory Stick media. "Sony has a strength in designing innovative products that integrate AV and IT so users can benefit from maximum connectivity and flexibility," said Robert DeMoulin, marketing manager for branded storage products in Sony Electronics' IT Products Division. "With the benefits of four products wrapped into one portable device, the MPD-AP20U is an ideal all-in-one combination drive for the mobile professional or savvy consumer." The new drive comes complete with all the necessary accessories and a suite of software to begin recording and enjoying out of the box. The key features include: -- Hi-Speed Universal Serial Bus See USB. (hardware, standard) Universal Serial Bus - (USB) An external peripheral interface standard for communication between a computer and external peripherals over an inexpensive cable using biserial transmission. (USB) Interface: Flexible, fast and easy connectivity and setup on Macintosh and Windows operating systems. Based on USB 2.0 specification and backward compatible at lower speeds to USB 1.1. -- High-speed Writing and Reading: 24X maximum CD-R (CD-Recordable) A writable CD technology using a type of compact disc that can be recorded, but not erased (CD-Rs are "write once" discs). CD-R discs are used to master CD-ROMs, to back up data and to make copies of data for distribution. recording, 10X maximum CD-RW recording, 24X maximum CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). reading, and 8X DVD-ROM reading with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compliant). -- Power-Burn Recording Management System: Sony's buffer under-run and shock protection technology. -- "Drop-in" Cradle: Provides USB connection and AC power for easy computer connectivity and battery recharging. -- A Memory Stick Media Slot: Enables consumers to seamlessly transfer digital content onto a CD-R/RW disc from dozens of different electronics devices, or playback MP3/WAV files in standalone mode. -- MP3 and WAV Audio Format Decoding: Decodes and plays MP3 files encoded from 32Kb/sec. and up to 320Kb/sec. Also, decodes WAV files for playback. Plays back files recorded on single or multi-session CD-ROM, or from packet recorded disc. -- A Stamina Rechargeable Battery: Battery life allows for up to approximately nine CD-R discs or eight CD-RW discs to be written at 24X speed, up to four hours of CD audio playback, up to one-and-a-half hours of DVD-ROM playback, and up to 10 hours of MP3 CD playback. -- Wired Remote Control with Backlit An LCD screen that has its own light source from the back of the screen, making the background brighter and characters appear sharper. LCD Display: Gives quick access to the playback controls and displays playback list and MP3/WAV music titles in ID3 tag format, or CD Text information if encoded onto an audio CD. Supports playlist A file that contains an index to a selected group of music files on the computer. Using digital jukebox software such as iTunes and Winamp, playlists are created by the user by dragging and dropping titles from a master index. The software may be able to create a playlist automatically. function and programming. -- Earphones: Bundled with compact earphones. Software Suite The MPD-AP20U drive comes bundled with a software suite that offers feature-intensive applications for Macintosh and Windows platforms, along with an integrated product installer that provides an easy path for users to choose the software they prefer to install on their system. The software suite includes: -- B's Recorder Gold (Windows & Mac): Lets users create backup copies of CDs, as well as customized video, music and data CDs from various file formats; -- B's Clip (Windows only): Allows users to drag and drop A graphical user interface (GUI) capability that lets you perform operations by moving the icon of an object with the mouse into another window or onto another icon. For example, files can be copied or moved by dragging them from one folder to another. files and folders to a CD-RW disc as easily as to a floppy disk or hard drive; -- Retrospect Express (Windows & Mac): Full-featured backup software that provides users with instant back-up and disaster recovery capabilities; -- ArcSoft PhotoBase (Windows & Mac): Allows users to create image, video and audio albums for easy management; share files in the form of slide shows, Web presentations or video postcards, in addition to storing multimedia files on CDs; -- ArcSoft PhotoStudio (Windows & Mac): Offers a quick and easy way to edit digital image files; -- MUSICMATCH Jukebox (Windows only): Offers users a complete personal system to play, record, organize and discover new music through MUSICMATCH Radio; and, -- Cyberlink Power DVD (Windows only): Allows playback of DVD- Video discs on your PC. Availability, Pricing and Warranty The MPD-AP20U drive is available nationwide through catalogs, retail outlets and online shopping sites, including SonyStyle.com, for an estimated selling price of less than $300. According to DeMoulin, Sony supports the concept of "worry-free" installation and easy operation with toll-free customer and technical service, Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST CST abbr. 1. Central Standard Time 2. convulsive shock treatment CST Central Standard Time Noun 1. , along with a one-year limited warranty Limited warranty A warranty with certain conditions and limitations on the parts covered, type of damage covered, and/or time period for which the agreement is good. from date of purchase. Key Specifications: Model MPD-AP20U -- Interface: Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compliant), Stereo mini jack (headphone See headphones. jack with remote control connector, Memory Stick media slot -- 24X (max) recording (CD-R) and reading (CD-ROM); 10X (max) recording (CD-RW), 8X (max) reading (DVD-ROM) -- Dimensions: 136.4mm x 22mm x 159mm (W x H x D) -- Weight (including internal battery): approx. 350 grams -- System requirements: Pentium II 233Mhz or faster PC with 32Mb RAM, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) See hard disk and HDD caddy. HDD - hard disk drive with 1.2Mb sustained transfer rate or faster, Direct-X supported sound card, Installed USB 1.1 or 2.0 port, Power Macintosh G3, Power Mac G4, iMac DV or iBook computer running Mac OS 9.2.2 or higher OR Windows 98/2000/Me/XP operating system -- Random access time: 160ms -- Battery life: up to 10 hours continuous MP3 CD playback, up to four hours CD-DA (Compact Disc-Digital Audio) The original compact disc format developed by Sony and Philips in the 1980s, which was designed for audio only. Since "CD" is used loosely for all Compact Disc formats, the CD-DA designation differentiates a music disc or player playback, up to one-and-a-half hours DVD video playback, up to nine CD-R or seven CD-RW disc recording -- Buffer memory: 8 MB -- Recording method: Disc-at-Once, Track-at-Once, Session-at-Once, Fixed & Variable Packet Writing -- ESP (1) (Enhanced Service Provider) An organization that adds value to basic telephone service by offering such features as call-forwarding, call-detailing and protocol conversion. : Less than $300 (Estimated U.S. retail selling prices. Actual prices may vary) Sony can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sony.com/. For more information, call 408/975-3034. |
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