Plextor and Adaptec team up to offer first CD-ROM Drive PCI adapter kits; New solutions offer high performance video and true Plug and Play SCAM compliance

Business Wire, Nov 10, 1995

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1995--Plextor Corp., a pioneer in advanced CD-ROM technology, has set a new standard for off the shelf CD-ROM performance by bundling their high-performance CD-ROM drives with Adaptec's AHA-2940 bus master PCI-to-Fast SCSI host adapter.

These products have been placed on Plextor's current price list and will begin shipping into distribution and retail outlets the second week of November.

The AHA-2940 has rapidly become the standard for ease of use, compatibility and high performance of the PCI local bus. In combination with Plextor's high-performance, high-efficiency drives, and their DOS/Windows device driver with video acceleration, these new kits will provide the lowest possible CPU utilization. This ensures maximum performance in video and other applications, including software MPEG. The AHA-2940 also supports Plug and Play specifications, including SCAM (SCSI Configured Auto Magically) capabilities. SCAM allows users to install peripheral devices into a computer without having to check or reset SCSI IDs.

The AHA-2940 will be bundled with internal and external versions of Plextor's 6PleX and 4PleX Plus drives. The 6PleX bundle will be designated as the Video Master Kit. It will include a Plextor Video CD with high-performance AVI video clips provided by Tri-Digital Software. The video CD will also include a corporate communication video on Plextor's parent company in the MPEG format and a run time license for MPEG ARCADE Player by Mediamatics Inc.

The 4PleX Plus bundle will be designated as the Plug and Play Master Kit. Because both the 4PleX Plus and the AHA-2940 adapter are SCAM compliant, users will be able to install the kit without setting the SCSI ID on the 4PleX Plus.

Effective immediately, the list price for the bare internal and external 6PleX drives are $459 and $549, respectively. The Video Master Kits list for $679 and $769, respectively. The 4PleX Plus list prices are $359 and $449 for bare internal and external. The Plug and Play Master Kits list for $579 and $669. Both bare drives and kits come fully equipped with SCSI cables, audio cables and the Plextor Manager DOS/Windows device driver and CD-ROM utilities.

"We are pleased to be the first to define the ultimate CD-ROM solution to end users and resellers alike," said David Butler, Plextor's general manager of sales and marketing. "We have staked our reputation on providing the highest performance, quality and reliability. These new kits will make the purchase and installation of high-performance CD-ROM technology easy and affordable for individuals and businesses alike."

"Adaptec is pleased to be working with Plextor to bring maximum ease of use to end users," said S. Sundaresh, vice president and general manager of Adaptec's Personal I/O business unit. "Plextor's SCAM compliant CD-ROM drive solutions, coupled with Adaptec's AHA-2940 host adapter, ensure end users optimum Plug and Play benefits."

Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., Adaptec is a recognized market leader in high-performance I/O technology. Adaptec currently employs approximately 1,900 people, and with its global distribution network, serves customers worldwide. Adaptec's World Wide Web home page address is htt://www.adaptec.com.

Plextor is a leading manufacturer of high-performance CD-ROM drives. Plextor has introduced eight generations of high-performance CD-ROM drives since opening its headquarters in California's Silicon Valley in 1990, including the world's first internal quad-speed drive in 1994 and the world's first six-speed drive in 1995. In 1994, Plextor began selling hot-swap CD-ROM towers of their own design.

CONTACT: Plextor Marketing Communications

Susan Sherman, 408/980-1838 ext. 111