Plextor intros portable CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive with USB 2.0 - Plextor PlexCombo 8/8/24-8U - Product Announcement

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, July 29, 2002

Plextor Corp., a developer and manufacturer of high-performance CD-related equipment and software, recently announced the immediate release of the PlexCombo 8/8/24-8U optical disk drive with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface. The new PlexCombo drive offers four different functions in one ultra-portable package: 8X CD-Recording, 8X CD-Rewriting, 24X-max CD-ROM playback, and 8X-max DVD-ROM playback.

The PlexCombo 8/8/24-8U is lightweight, compact--almost pocketsize--and housed in a highly stylish yet durable graphite-and-gold enclosure. The ultra-portable drive measures just 5.55-inches by .87-inches by 6.73-inches and weighs only 1.1 lbs. Mobile professionals and other users-on-the-go benefit from the ease-of-use and versatility of having CD-RW and DVD-ROM drives combined into a single portable device.

The drive connects via Universal Serial Bus (Hi-Speed USB 2.0 or USB 1.1) to any laptop or desktop computer (PC or Mac). The new PlexCombo is also Plug & Play compatible with Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP for easy setup. Users can typically begin recording custom CDs or watching DVD movies within minutes of opening the box.

"The new PlexCombo gives customers everything they want in an optical disk drive--Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data transfer rates, unparalleled reliability, extreme portability, and design flair," said Howard Wing, vice president of sales and marketing for Plextor. "This second-generation product expands our family of ultra-portable drives, adding DVD capability for the mobile warrior."

The versatile 4-in-1 PlexCombo 8/8/24-8U drive reads, writes, and rewrites compact discs--and reads DVD discs--at a wide variety of speeds. The drive features a 2MB data buffer and Digital Audio Extraction rates to a maximum of 24X. Burst data transfer rates are 480 Mb/sec (USB 2.0) or 12 Mb/sec (USB 1.1). The drive supports a wide variety of CD writing modes, including Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Session-at-Once, Multisession, and variable/fixed packet writing.

The PlexCombo 8/8/24-8U features the most advanced design and engineering for maximum reliability, including innovative Buffer Under Run Proof technology. Using a slow source drive or attempting to perform multiple tasks while recording a CD can lead to buffer underrun errors that render the disc unusable. Buffer Under Run Proof technology prevents buffer underrun errors, so end-users can multi-task by sending email or surfing the Web while recording a high-quality CD.

In order to satisfy both novices and experienced users, Plextor offers software options that feature ease of use and extensive functionality. The PlexCombo 8/8/24-8U ships with Roxio's Easy CD Creator and DirectCD v 5.3 and Oak Technology's SimpliCD software, allowing users to choose between two award-winning software packages. Also included are Plextor Liquid Player , a music player for streaming, downloading, and playing audio files, and a trial version of Stomp Click'N Design 3d, a CD labeling software.

The ultra-portable PlexCombo 8/8/24-8U (CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive) with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 is scheduled for shipment to distributors and resellers immediately. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $279. All retail packages include unlimited toll-free technical support and one-year full warranty.