Samsung Electronics, a world-class maker of optical drives, introduced a 52x CD-RW drive last week and has now completed development of the world's first 52x RW-DVD combination unit (model: SW-352). The company will put the new product simultaneously on the Korean and overseas markets at the end of this month.

Four drive functions--16x DVD-ROM, 52x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 52x CD-ROM-enable the SW-352 to play back all available optical media. It also provides users with a top-speed digital environment for recording and editing MP3 files, video and high-capacity games. .

The 52x CD-R drive can burn a 650MB CD in just three minutes. The unit is fully compatible with all ODD formats, video DVD and various CD standards. The CD-RW format that has required 7-12 minutes to format can now be completed in must 1-2 minutes. The unit can be installed either vertically or horizontally, and operational status is automatically monitored.

The SW-352 is available in black or ivory.