I-O Data will launch two new 8x DVD±RW drives in the Japanese market by the middle of December. The DVR-ABN8 ATAPI version will cost candidate users 26,500 yen while the price of the external USB 2.0/ FireWire version will be approximately 4,500 yen higher. Both drives are based on the NEC ND-2500A model. The drives support 8x DVD±R, 4X DVD±RW, 32X CD-R, and 16X CD-RW writing. The drive is among the first in the market to support 8x DVD-R recording. The company believes that the DVD forum will not delay the standarization of the 8x DVD-R writing. As for 8x DVD-R media, their availability will be probably delayed for 1-2 months.