Mitsumi Introduces DVD-ROM Drive for Desktop PCs
Business Wire via Dow Jones
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1997--
Highly Versatile Internal DVD Drive Supports a Wide Variety
of Technologies, Including Audio Compact Discs, CD-R, CD-RW,
CD-ROM XA, and PHOTO-CD
Mitsumi Electronics Corporation, the world's largest manufacturer of personal
computer peripherals, today announced its first internal DVD-ROM drive for
desktop PCs. The DR200M drive conforms to the Enhanced IDE interface
architecture (ATAPI specifications), making it easy for major OEMs to integrate
the drive into standard personal computer systems quickly and cost-effectively.
The new drive features a dual laser pick-up, which allows for playback of a
variety of compact disc technologies, including CD audio, CD-ROM, CD-R, and
CD-RW. This wide range of compatibility makes the DR200M more affordable for
customers who want to preserve their investment in existing compact disc
technologies, while enjoying the applications, entertainment, and other programs
that will be offered in a single 4.7GB DVD disc.
"At Mitsumi, we recognize that most people have invested heavily in compact
disc technologies and they want to leverage that investment for a long time to
come," said Jim McCaffrey, vice president of sales and marketing for Mitsumi.
"That's why our new DVD drive is compatible with products that the average
consumer might already have, such as music CDs and CD-ROM games. We help
protect their investment while enabling them to begin enjoying the high-quality
picture and sound that DVD discs can provide."
DVD is a next-generation standard for storage technology that allows for very
high capacity on a single 5.25-inch compact disc. Each side of a single-layer
DVD-ROM disc can hold up to 4.7GB, equivalent to seven CD-ROMs. DVD discs use
MPEG-2 compression and provide approximately 135 minutes of video per side.
DVD-ROM drives allow for high levels of interactivity as well as AC-3 Dolby
audio and high-quality video.
The DR200M delivers a data transfer speed of 2700 Kbytes per second (2X) for
DVD and 3800 Kbytes per second (24X maximum) for CD-ROM. The drive supports
multiple block transfers for faster throughput, and burst transfer rates of up
to 16.7 Mbytes per second. Average access time is less than 150 ms for DVD and
less than 90 ms for CD-ROM.
The DR200M offers state-of-the-art performance in an affordable, reliable,
caddyless drive aimed at the widest possible range of PC applications. It
supports important multimedia standards like MPC-3 as well as multi-session
PHOTO-CDs and CD-ROM XA. The drive is fully plug-and-play compatible with
advanced operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 95. A "Slim" version of
the drive aimed at the portable market will follow in Q2 1998.
The internal Mitsumi drive initially comes in a standard half-height 5.25-inch
form factor, which OEMs can mount either vertically or horizontally. A unique,
patented power tray design gently holds discs while allowing the drive to work
vertically or horizontally for convenient end-user operation.
The DR200M DVD-ROM drive is the newest addition to Mitsumi's award-winning
disc drive family for personal computers, which includes 16X, 24X, and 32X
CD-ROM, as well as CD-R models. According to leading market research firms,
Mitsumi was one of the top two CD-ROM drive manufacturers in 1996, shipping more
than eight million drives
System Requirements and Availability
The Mitsumi DR200M DVD-ROM drive requires an Intel Pentium PC with 8 MB RAM
(16 MB recommended), Windows 3.1 or higher, and VGA or Super VGA. The DVD-ROM
drive is currently being sampled to major OEM customers, and will be available
to retail customers in Q1, 1998. The Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
is US$299, which includes a 1-year manufacturers limited warranty.
About Mitsumi
Mitsumi is the world's largest manufacturer of computer peripherals, with
sales exceeding $2.7 billion. Mitsumi focuses on providing high-quality,
affordable peripherals and devices, including keyboards, CD-ROM, CD-R, and
DVD-ROM drives, mice, and floppy disk drives. Mitsumi products are sold
worldwide both to computer OEMs and through general distribution. U.S.
headquarters have recently moved to 5808 W. Campus Circle Drive, Irving, Texas
75063. To learn more about Mitsumi, contact their Web site at
mitsumi.com
All products or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their
respective owners.
CONTACT: Mitsumi Electronics Corp.
Jim McCaffrey, 972/550-7300
j_mccaffrey@mitsumi.com
or
Welch Communications
Marianne Welch/Rachelle Burnside, 408/395-7363
info@welchcommunications.com |
