Toshiba targets OEMs, VARs and integrators with new price-competitive quad-speed CD-ROM drive

Business Wire, Nov 14, 1994

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 1994--Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Disk Products Division (TAIS, DPD) Monday introduced at COMDEX/Fall (Booth #1682) the new ATAPI-interface XM-5302 Series quad-speed CD-ROM drive that provides OEMs, VAD/VARs and systems integrators with cutting edge performance for the ATAPI environment.

"The new XM-5302 Series drive is ideal in that its support for the AT attachment packet interface (ATAPI) allows easy integration of leading quad-speed performance into IBM PC AT/XT computers without an interface board," said Jerry Higgins, vice president CD-ROM marketing, TAIS, DPD. Specifically, the new XM-5302 Series drive offers a fast 150ms random seek and a 600KB/sec sustained transfer rate.

The high performance available with Toshiba's new XM-5302 drive is due to a new variable speed playback system and digital servo control. Through the variable speed playback system, the drive can read data even before the disk reaches an optimum rotational speed. As a result, the CD-ROM drive can read data once the disc rotational speed reaches a range of /- 50 percent of each speed, up to a maximum of 5 times rotational speed; other drives can only read data when the disc speed is 1, 2 or 4 times rotation.

The new digital servo control, which also contributes to the drive's high performance, offers greater precision in tracking and head positioning. This, combined with the new variable speed playback system and 256KB buffer enables the drive's performance.

In addition to supporting quad-speed applications, the XM-5302 Series drives also support 1X and 2X applications. The drive is fully MPC-2 compliant and supports Kodak multisession Photo CD.

The XM-5302 Series drives boast a high 80,000 hour MTBF and feature a convenient, tray-loading mechanism. To ensure that CDs are not ejected during read, the drive also has a media removal prevent function.

The new XM-5302B internal drive measures only 1.6(h) x 5.7(w) x 7.5(d) inches and weighs only two pounds. The drive features a low power consumption of only 2.8 watts average.

Samples of the XM-5302 Series drives are available now with volume production scheduled for first quarter 1995. Suggested list pricing for the XM-5302B internal drive is $200.

For additional product information, contact Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Disk Products Division, at 714/457-0777.

CONTACT: The Benjamin Group

Karen Allen, 714/753-0755