Cebit 2002 - PLEXTOR

PLEXTOR at CeBIT 2002 show, had a rather large booth but nothing "new" was demonstrated , at least for the CD recording area. The latest info says that you will possibly not see an ML recorder with the Plextor brand. Why? Possibly because the ML technology comes out late, at least for the CD format.

Plextor sees a potential use of ML mainly in the DVD format. However, we did see a recorder with the codename "PLEXTOR PX-ML3630" in the Calimetrics ML demonstration... ;-)

For the future, you should expect a Plextor 48x recorder (PX-W4812A) around May/June and a DVD recorder (DVD-R and/or DVD+R) when the DVD format war clears up. For the present, visitor could see the already known PX-W4012A (at both white and black colours), PX-S88TU and the latest PX-320A (DVD/CD-RW combo):

For the non-CD recording fans, there were two new products, that are already sold in Japan but not in the rest world.

A) PleXTALK (or PleXWriter Direct Recorder)

This device can record sound (wav format) ,on real time, from an external mic to CD-R media. The PleXTalk device was originally designed for the blind people. The numeric keypad has special touch and has the following features:

a) CD Slot-in insert mechanism

b) Battery support

c) PCMCIA slot, USB interface

d) Record/playback functions

The current price is high, but it is expected to be lower when it will come to the market.

B) Plextor ListeningStation

This is another product that is already is out in Japan. This device can be used mainly at CD shops as a "Listening Station". Users can listen to Audio CDs, by simply passing the CD plastic case (with a bar code) at the through the bar code scanner in the bottom of the station. The device is connected to a network server and displays information about the CD, the AudioTracks, and of course through the attached headphones you can listen to your favorite music.

Plextor has already established an aggrement with "Virgin Megastores", the well known CD shop line. The price of the terminal is around $500.