Today we got the press release for TDK CyClone 161040 as the first pic of the retail package. As we had posted the drive should come out in middle of January 2001! The price is not yet have announced.

"...TDK retains its position at the forefront of technology as it announces the launch of the higher speed CyClone 16/10/40 Internal IDE CD-R/RW Writer. Offering the fastest CD-R/RW Writer technology currently available on the market, the new CyClone hardware offers reliable, high-performance characteristics, writes to CD-R media at up to 16x speed, to CD-RW media at up to 10x speed, and reads all CD media up to a maximum of 40x speed.

The new version of TDK’s CyClone CD-R/RW retains the features to ensure outstanding performance, maintaining its position at the top-end of the market. For instance, the BURN-Proof? technology prevents buffer underrun errors that would render a CD unreadable, it ensures full PC multitasking even during CD recording, and allows high-speed CD-R recording even with low performance PCs.

Software and accessories form a significant part of the package including top of the range Nero software, the first to support BURN-Proof technology, and boasting a true multi-thread programme so that it handles several tasks simultaneously – you can type your word documents AND record at 16x speed. Also included is the TDK Digital Mix Master and InCD packet writing software.

Accessories comprise blank TDK CD-Rs, CD pen, screws and ejector pin, E-IDE cable, audio cable, a Quick Installation poster and a User Manual, everything you need included in one package. TDK backs the CyClone CD-R/RW writer with a one year limited warranty on parts and labour, in addition to providing a freephone Technical Support in all major European countries.

Masatoshi Shikanai, President, TDK Recording Media & Systems Europe, comments: TDK’s core strengths lie both in material technology (enabling us to provide key components for hardware devices) and in audio and video recording media, both of which have resulted in establishing our expertise and strong brand image. With the world rapidly changing as digitalisation takes place, we are building on our existing strengths as a natural extension into the business domain of hardware. TDK is committed to being at the forefront of technology. The launch of the higher speed Cyclone CD-R/RW Writers reinforces TDK’s commitment to facilitating people’s lives through digital expertise, and to ensuring that TDK is at the heart of the digital recording market..."