New Double Layer DVD Drive

International Journal of Micrographics & Optical Technology, 2004

Iomega Corporation is shipping its new Iomega Super DVD Writer 12× Dual-Format USB 2.0 Drive. This innovative DVD+RW/-RW drive has the ability to store more than 12 CDs of data on a single 8.5 GB* DVD+R DL (double layer) disc, giving users an outstanding new tool for managing their data.

"As DVD recordable drives grow in popularity, double-layer 8.5 gigabyte discs are the natural next step in disc capacity," said Scott LeFevre, product general manager, branded products, Iomega Corporation.

New 8.5 GB Capacity

By using two recording layers rather than one, the new Super DVD Writer 12× Dual-Format drive can give users a total of 8.5 GB capacity on new DVD+R DL discs. Double-layer discs offer 80 percent more capacity than previous-generation 4.7 GB DVD discs. This capacity increase has such important benefits as:

* Users can store DVD-quality home video at higher bit rates, improving picture resolution and quality

* Businesses can archive up to 12 CDs worth of data on a single DVD+R DL disc, reducing the cost and complexity of archiving data

* IT departments can build system images for use with their client PCs

* Filmmakers can master and test new DVD titles using inexpensive discs before pressing a batch of discs with traditional equipment.

Key Features

The Iomega Super DVD Writer 12× Dual-Format USB 2.0 Drive is an excellent choice for virtually any writable disc format, including CDs, single-layer DVDs and double-layer DVDs.

Supported formats include DVD+R and DVD+RW ( 12×4× 1 O× write, rewrite, and read speeds), DVD-R and DVD-RW (8×4×1 O×), and CD-R and CD-RW discs (40×24×40×). Ripping music CDs is also faster than ever, thanks to 4O× digital audio extraction.

The new drive is quick and easy to set up, operate and share among multiple computers and operating systems. It also features buffer underrun protection for reliable burns and comes with the Iomega DVD Solutions Wizard, which takes the guesswork out of recording tasks by helping users select the appropriate software and type of disc for different tasks.

DVD+R DL

DVD+R DL is a "write-once" recording standard. A double-layer DVD+R DL disc contains two recording layers of organic dye film. The top layer is semi-transparent, allowing the recording laser to focus on either the top layer or the bottom layer. When the laser heats microscopic regions on one of the recording layers, it creates permanent dots in the organic dye film. The resulting data can be read in virtually any standard DVD player or DVD-ROM drive.

Software

Bundled software includes Iomega's DVD Solutions Wizard, Iomega Automatic Backup, Iomega hotBurn Pro, Sonic MyDVD video-editing software, Sonic Cineplayer software for the highest quality video playback, MusicMatch Jukebox music management software and Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition. For Mac OS users, Charismac Discribe and MusicMatch software are included.

Iomega's DVD Solutions Wizard launches directly from the desktop and takes the guesswork out of writing DVDs by helping users select the appropriate software and type of disc for different tasks.

Iomega Automatic Backup software (PC Magazine Editor's Choice for real-time backup software, June 17,2003, edition), provides continuous real-time backup to any drive letter, the ability to save multiple revisions and keep multiple backup sets on different destination drives, the ability to exclude files by file type, to schedule backups, and to cache backups temporarily. Iomega Automatic Backup is also available separately at www.iomega.com for $39.95.

Iomega's hotBurn Pro software is said to complement Windows XP by adding true drag-and-drop file recording, an integrated console interface, integrated DVD and CD copying imaging, compilation creation, and a jewel case editor. Added features include a graphical audio layout editor; pop, click and hiss removal filters; and bootable CD creation.

The new drive is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98SE, 2000, Me, or XP; Mac OS 10.2.7 or newer with a Macintosh G4 or faster with built-in USB 2.0 connection.

Contact Iomega. Web: www.iomega.com