Sanyo Japan plans to release this summer a new super combo drive with the codename "CRD-DV1". The drive will support both CD and DVD formats, becoming an alternative solution to existing DVD writers. In addition would offer the faster DVD recording speed (4x) among with a new technology that adds 650MB to normal CD-R media reaching 1.3GB with 650MB and 1.4GB with 700MB discs! -Product Specs-

- CD Format
Writing speeds: 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 20x (CLV), 24x (Zone-CLV) [CD], 12x (CLV) [1.3GB]
Re-writing Speeds: 4x, 10x, 12x (CLV)
Reading speed: 40x (CAV)
4MB Buffer
Burn-Proof technology
FlexSS-BP technology
Shock-BP technology
Safe-BP technology

Now you can fit 1.3GB by using special writers and media, according to Sony's DDCD format. Sanyo's proposal uses new technique that can fit 1.3GB in normal CD-R/RW media (650/700MB). This way you store more data without changing media and drive's design. Current readers wouldn't be able to recognize Sanyo's 1.3GB format without a firmware upgrade, but Sanyo says its would easy to accomplish. There is no information if this technology would be available to other manufacturers for implementation in their drive designs. More information will be published from Sanyo in the near future...Stay tuned!

- DVD Format
Writing speeds: 1x, 2x, 4x (DVD-R)
Re-writing speeds: 1x, 2x (DVD-RW)
Reading: 16x (CAV)

The CRD-DV1 supports the faster DVD recording speed of 4x (CLV). The DVD-R competition from other manufacturers is expected to reach 4x later this year and also DVD+RW format will shift speeds to catch up the new DVD recording race. The drive will have also higher DVD re-writing speeds (2x CLV) and 16x (CAV) reading DVD-ROM speeds. You can expect buffer underrun protection also for DVD format similar to BURN-Proof. Last till now, no media manufacturer has announced 4x DVD-R media, but rumours say that Mitsui would be the first manufacturer to support such high recording speeds...