Samsung makes a debut in the DVD-R DL recording with the upcoming SH-W162C DVD recorder. The drive features 4x write speed for DVD-R DL and 5x for the DVD+R DL. Schedulled to hit the market mid July, the latest DVD recording proposal by Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corp (TSST) will support 4x recording for DVD-R double layer, 8x for DVD+RW and 6x for DVD-RW.

Basic features:

Double OPC (Double Optimum Power Control) Technology
Tilt Actuator Compensation Technology
SAT (Speed Adjustment Technology)
Buffer Under Run Free Technology
Double Layer DVD+R 5X, DVD-R 4X
Eco-Product Model: Lead Free
Magic Speed: Select the drive's reading speed



Specifications:

WriteBR>
DVD+R/-R: 16X
DVD+R Double: 5X
DVD-R Double: 4X
DVD+RW: 8X
DVD-RW: 6X
CD-R: 48X
CD-RW: 32X

Read

DVD+R, DVD-R: 12X
DVD+R/-R Double: 8X
DVD+RW/-RW 8X
DVD-ROM: 16X
CD-ROM: 48X
CD-R/-RW: 40x

Burst Transfer Rate:
PIO Mode 4 (16.6MB/sec)
Ultra DMA Mode 2 (33.3MB/sec)

Average Seek Time:

DVD : 130ms
CD : 110ms

Supported Discs:
DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-ROM/XA, CD-Audio, Video-CD, Photo CD, CD-I(FMV), CD-Extra, CD-TEXT
Buffer Memory: 2MB

Samsung plans to release a firmware upgrade for this drive, boosting the Double Layer speed for +R to 8x. This release should be expected around August.

The company is also working on the Blu-ray format. Latest plans include the launch of the first (half-height) drive at the beginning of next year. A slim drive for use in notebooks will follow half a year later.