NEC (UK) Ltd today announced the launch of the ND3500A, the first advanced double layer 16x DVD re-writer to include high speed CD recording. The new model incorporates NEC's leading optical storage technology to offer a high capacity, reliable device, ideal for digital video recording, storage and PC data back-up applications.

The ND3500A delivers even higher speed write and re-write functions than its predecessor, the ND2510. This allows users the flexibility to choose a wider range of DVD R media without compromising performance or storage capacity.

In addition to improved ease-of use, the ND3500A will deliver significantly improved performance, ensuring users need no longer compromise on quality of video and stills due to lack of space on the disc. It also offers significantly faster recording speeds, for example a 1 hour DVD can be recorded in less than 4 minutes. In addition, the NEC ND3500A is able to store up to 8.5 GB onto one DVD.

Andrew Wyllie, Business Manager for NEC's Data Storage Business in the UK, commented: "There is an increasing demand for high speed, high quality optical storage devices. We are delighted to announce an industry first for NEC with this 16x dual layer DVD Recorder. In addition to the faster DVD recording, we have also ensured that the CD re-writing offered by this product is faster than before."

The ND3500A benefits from NEC's "high resolution writing strategy" which uses advanced laser modulation to boost the accuracy of the written data. The drive also includes an enhanced version of NEC's "Active Optimized Power Control" (Active OPC). Active OPC monitors writing power and reflection of the media in use, calculating the optimum laser power and adjusting it in real-time.

The ND3500A supports Windows 98SE, 2000, Me and XP. Windows NT 4.0 is also supported if the video editing function is not required.

The ND3500A will be available in beige, black and silver.

The retail version ND-3500/SRP comes with ?electronic manuals? in six languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Dutch) on the software CD-ROM, all parts necessary to assemble the drive (screws, IDE and audio cable) and a full featured software solution from Ahead:

Nero Express 6
·the most famous writer software to private data and music compilations

NeroVision Express 2
·integrated Video and Photo capturing, editing, authoring and burning application to create DVDs, SVCDs and VCDs supported by powerful storyboard and timeline editing.

Nero Recode 2
·shrink double layer DVDs to standard DVD media by transcoding non-copy protected DVD-Video titles. Keeps the original menu. The user can select desired video titles, audio tracks, and subtitles. With Fit-to-disc option. Transcoding to MPEG4 video stream supported as well.

Nero Showtime
·High quality DVD, MPEG4 and VCD playback application

Nero BackItUp
·Full featured backup application which supports full, incremental, update and differential backups with job scheduler for automatic backups.

others: Nero Cover Designer, Nero InfoTool, Nero CD-DVD Speed

Availability: August 2004

·For 16x write on DVD R disc, please use NEC-recommended 16x or 8x media
·For 4x write on DVD +R9 media disc, please use NEC-recommended 2.4x discs (the expected write speed might not be obtained under certain conditions)

Specifications
Dust protected enclosure
Emergency eject
IDE/ATAPI interface with UltraDMA 33 (max. 33 MByte/sec transfer rate)
Internal 12/8cm CD and DVD drive (half form factor)
Read Speed: 16x max. DVD-ROM and 48x max. CD-ROM
Tray load mechanism supporting horizontal and vertical use
Write Speed: DVD+R: 16 max., DVD+RW: 4x max., DVD+R9: 4x,. DVD-R: 16x max,. DVD-RW: 4x. CD-R: 48x max,. CD-RW: 24x max.
Access Time (CD): 120 ms
Access Time (DVD): 140 ms
Audio: Digital-out and line-out at the back (MPC compatible)
Burst Transfer Rate: PIO mode 4/Ultra DMA 33
Cache: 2MByte
Compatibility: MPC level 3, Multi Read, PC2001
Dimensions (HxWxD): 148mm x 42mm x 190mm
Interface: IDE/ATAPI
Mechanism: motorized tray load mechanism for horizontal and vertical use
Media/Mode Supported: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD0+R, DVD+R9, DVD+RW, DVD-Video, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-Audio, CD Extra, CD Text, CD-I Ready, CD-Bridge, Photo-CD, Video-CD, Hybrid-CD
Transfer Rate Read CD: 48x CAV (max7200 kByte/s)
Transfer Rate Read DVD: 16x CAV (max 22000 kBytes)
Transfer Rate Write +R (DVD): 16x CAV (max 22000 kByte/s)

Transfer Rate Write +R9 (DVD): 4x CLV (5500 kByte/s)
Transfer Rate Write +RW (CD): ./.
Transfer Rate Write -R (CD): 48x CAV (max. 7200 kByte/s)
Transfer Rate Write -R (DVD): 16x CAV (max22000 kByte/s)
Transfer Rate Write -RW (DVD): 4x CLV (5500 kByte/s)
Trasfer Rate Write -RW (CD): 24x ZCLV (max 3600kByte/s)
Weight: 1.0kg
Writing Methods: DAO (disc at once), SAO (session at once), TAO (track at once) with zero gap, variable or fixed packet, multisession