14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Electronics just announced the launch of the second generation of Blu-ray compatible DVD burning optical drive unit that is aimed at the enthusiast market segment. This new Sony optical drive is able to handle the writing of Blu-ray discs at speeds up to 4X while going as far as 16x for normal DVD discs.
Named BWU-200S, the new Sony burner is about twice as fast as the previous generation of Blu-ray compatible writers as it can fill up a 50GB optical medium in around 45 minutes while also featuring improved classical DVD and CD writing speeds. These extensive features make the new Sony drive, a multi format capable optical unit, eliminating the need for more than one optical drive in any givin computer system.
On the software side, the Sony BWU-200S comes bundled with the CyberLink BD Solution application that allows users to capture, edit, view and burn '' high-definition personal content captured in the native HDV 1080i format from an HDV camcorder'', while also being compatible with the traditional DVD and CD optical mediums.
The new Sony drive is able to record data on both BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs and translated into viewing time that means around 230 minutes of high-definition HDV 1080i video on a BD-R/RE 50GB disc, while also offering native and integrated support for 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW/RAM discs, 8.5GB DVD+R double/dual layer discs and CDs. In order to be able to keep the pace with the high data transferring speed needed by these operations the BWU-200S optical unit comes equipped with a Serial ATA interface and the whole unit is packed into the standard 5.25 inch form factor that is typically found on optical drives designed to work with desktop computer systems.
''Consumers and professional videographers alike can enjoy the huge storage capacity to record and experience high-definition video with our Blu-ray Disc drive,'' said Bob DeMoulin, marketing manager for branded storage products in Sony Electronics' IT Products Division.
The Sony BWU-200S optical unit will be available for purchase starting next month from the Sony online store and users wishing such a Blu-ray and DVD burner will have to part with $600 for it.