Panasonic today unveiled its DVDBurner II, the next-generation combination DVD/CD drive that takes the confusion out of buying a Recordable DVD drive. Meeting DVD Multi specifications, the new DVD Multi drive builds on the success of Panasonic's currently available DVD-RAM/R DVDBurner by extending the drive's capabilities to include read/write support for all Recordable DVD formats approved by the DVD Forum and read/write support for CD-R/RW discs. Universal and affordable, the DVDBurner II offers higher write speeds, faster playback, broad compatibility and the convenience of being able to switch between formats and capacities.

"Panasonic's DVDBurner II changes the recordable DVD landscape," said Dana Berzin, Product Manager for Panasonic's OEM computer drives. "It bridges CD and recordable DVD technologies, and computer and consumer electronics applications by providing a single, cost-effective solution for home video, personal computing and business storage/archiving. With the new drive, users now have an all-in-one DVD/CD storage solution that provides the security of write-once, the flexibility of rewriteable, broad compatibility, and the ability to choose between 9.4GB, 5.2 GB, 4.7GB, 2.6GB or 650MB capacities."

With read/write support for all DVD Forum recordable DVD specifications and read/write support for CD-R/RW discs, Panasonic's DVDBurner II will have broad appeal among consumers, businesses and professionals. According to Berzin, the drive will not only allow computer makers to meet the needs of a wide range of users, but will provide consumers with a new level of flexibility that can help users achieve substantial savings.

"Whether purchasing at retail to upgrade existing units or to customize a new computer, Panasonic's DVDBurner II offers consumers backward compatibility and a proven solution for all their current and future storage needs," said Charles Vidal, Product Manager for Panasonic-brand retail computer drives. "It's a true all-in-one product that bridges formats, capacities and applications."

To illustrate the drive's DVD/CD storage flexibility, higher performance and cross-device interoperability, Panasonic will demonstrate the DVDBurner II drive during TECHXNY/PC Expo in New York City June 25-27 at the Recordable DVD Council Pavilion, Booth #2422.

Panasonic's DVDBurner II is fully compliant with the DVD Forum's DVD Multi specifications. The specifications ensure disc compatibility for all recordable DVD formats established by the 230-member DVD Forum -- both for consumer electronics products and personal computers. In addition to reading and writing DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, CD-R and CD-RW discs, the DVDBurnerII can also play DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and CD-ROM discs.

When writing to a 4.7GB DVD-R General disc, the new drive achieves speeds of up to 2x, with DVD-R playback at 6x. Reasonably priced and readily available, the write-once DVD-R is considered the most compatible of all DVD formats. The discs can be played back by most of the DVD video players and DVD-ROM drives in use throughout the world today. With huge storage capacity, reliable data management and rewritability up to 10,000 times, DVD-RAM discs are optimally suited for PC applications. The discs' write speed is 2x, equivalent to at least 18x CD rate.

Smaller files can be stored on low-cost 650MB CD-Rs at up to 12x speed or on CD-RW discs at up to 8x speed. CD playback is at 32x. To ensure error-free CD recording, Panasonic's new multifunction drive includes buffer under-run technology.

Price, Availability

The Panasonic brand DVDBurner II drives will begin shipping in October 2002 and, like the continuing DVD-RAM/R DVDBurner, will be available for resale at retail or OEM applications. The Panasonic brand DVD Burner II drive for retail sale will be priced at less than $500.