Sony is taking the wraps off of a new Dual RW DVD burner that can write to DVD+R discs at speeds up to 12X on certified 8X DVD+R media. The 12X drive offers a high level of media compatibility, since it also supports 8X DVD-R and 4X DVD±RW burning, as well as 40X CD-R and 24X CD-RW recording speeds. For easy integration into a desktop computer or server, the DRU-540A drive comes equipped with an ATAPI interface.

Sony's DRU-540A comes bundled with DVD video authoring software, as well as with DVD/CD burning software for creating data, music, and video DVDs and CDs. The full-featured Nero® software suite also includes packet-writing software for users to easily record files and folders by dragging them to the appropriate icon on their hard drive. All tasks and applications are accessible via the unique Nero StartSmart™ launcher, which serves as the drive's ultimate command center, giving the user one-click access to all programs in the package. The software suite includes:

- AHEAD Nero® Burning ROM 6 SE/ Nero Express® 6 CD/DVD mastering software for data, audio and CD/DVD writing and copying;

- AHEAD Nero VisionExpress 2 VCD/SVCD and DVD authoring software for advanced video capturing, authoring, full video editing and photo slideshow creation.

- AHEAD InCD® 4 packet writing software for formatting rewritable discs so they can be used like large floppy disks with drag-and-drop capability

- AHEAD Nero ShowTime™ DVD-Video playing software for viewing DVD movies and personal video projects, along with MPEG-4 compatibility;

- AHEAD Nero BackItUp backup software for complete PC backup, with an easy-to-use wizard interface for multiple backup modes, automatically scheduled backups, and backups spanning several CDs or DVDs; - AHEAD Nero MediaPlayer / Wave Editor management/jukebox software and audio editing software for audio file creation with various filters and effects;

- AHEAD Nero Cover Designer disc label creation software for creating individual CD/DVD covers and labels; and

- AHEAD Nero Toolkit tool software for critical media and drive analysis used by drive manufacturers worldwide.

Availability and Pricing

The internal DRU-540A rewritable drive will be available next month for an estimated selling price of about $180.