Panasonic announced that it will expand its SW-9571-CYY DVD MULTI Drive support for the UNIX/Linux platforms through a set of new customers that includes KOM Networks, Luminex and Objective Data Storage. These three join a prestigious list of UNIX/Linux supporters, including LoneStar Software, MusicMatch and InterVideo, Inc.

"Panasonic continues to expand DVD-RAM's reach into the UNIX/Linux platforms by focusing on new customers that can add robust offerings to the popular platforms," said Dana Berzin, Product Manager for Panasonic's OEM computer drives. "The DVD MULTI Drive provides the perfect option-rich hardware addition to the growing software support for UNIX/Linux."

For key small business applications, companies such as Objective Data Storage have chosen the powerful combination of DVD-RAM/DVD-R/DVD-RW to deliver data management software to their customers operating on the UNIX/Linux platforms. DVD-RAM is not only fast, but it can handle large volumes of data on one 9.4GB DVD with rewriteability to approximately 100,000 times. In addition, thanks to advanced defect management and the power behind UNIX/Linux, users can rely on speedy, worry-free recording when archiving and burning data. Ultimately, users will be able to increase efficiency and accessibility in the workplace, and interact with mission-critical applications easier; all to enhance the user experience and increase ROI.

The unique benefits of DVD-RAM over other formats add a new robustness to interacting with media and data via the UNIX/Linux platforms. DVD-RAM media offers users the benefits of defect management, on-disc editing and mixed file formats accessibility on one disc. In addition, the OEM MULTI Drive offers near universal media compatibility, allowing UNIX/Linux users the capability of archiving and burning media files to DVD-R and DVD-RW.

In addition to storage and business solutions, applications and products supported by the UNIX/Linux platforms are becoming more closely associated with consumer electronics and multi-media software, as in the case of InterVideo and MusicMatch. Now, users have the choice of employing either the Windows or UNIX/Linux operating systems -- combined with DVD-RAM functionality -- to manage and manipulate data from video to music to simple text files.