"...LaCie announced today the first external DVD-R/CD-RW drive with high-speed FireWire connectivity. Priced significantly lower than single-function DVD-R drives, the combo drive provides the convenience and savings of using a single drive to write and read DVD-R General discs as well as CD-R and CD-RW discs. LaCie will begin shipping the new drive in June.

Designed to store and deliver digital data, video, and audio, the LaCie DVD-R/CD-RW drive records to 4.7GB DVD-R General Use discs at 2x (2.6 MB/sec) speed and provides 6x (7.8 MB/sec) read performance for DVD-R, DVD-Video and DVD-ROM discs. Smaller files can be stored on lower-cost 650MB CD-Rs at 8x speed or on CD-RW discs at 4x speed. CD playback is at 24x.

The LaCie DVD-R/CD-RW drive will be available in June through LaCie's accredited resellers and mail order partners with prices starting at $999. LaCie also offers 4.7GB DVD-R General media at $15..."