Pioneer announced the new DVR-SK12DP dual format external writer. The drive is expected to hit the market soon, and supports 2X DVD-R/RW, 2.4X DVD+R/+RW and 8X DVD-ROM (single layer) reading. In addition, the DVR-SK12DP is capable of 16X CD-R writing, and supports both USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 interfaces. Specifications:

- READING:

DVD-ROM (Single layer): 8X CAV
DVD-ROM (Dual layer): 6X CAV
DVD-R Ver.1.0: 3.6X CAV
DVD-R Ver.2.0 / DVD-RW Ver.1.0 and Ver.1.1: 4X CAV
DVD+R/+RW: 4X CAV
DVD-Video with CSS (Single layer): 4X CAV
DVD-Video with CSS (Dual layer): 3.6X CAV
CD-ROM: 24X CAV
Video CD: 10X CAV
CD-DA,CD- TEXT,Mixed-CD,CD-Extra (Play audio): 10X CAV
CD-DA,CD- TEXT,Mixed-CD,CD-Extra (Data extraction): 24X CAV
CD-R: 24X CAV
CD-RW (Multi Speed, High Speed, Ultra Speed): 24X CAV

- WRITING:

DVD-R: 1X CLV, 2X CLV
DVD-RW: 1X CLV, 2X CLV
8cm DVD-R/RW: 1X CLV, 2X CLV
12cm / 8cm DVD+R+RW: 2.4X CLV
CD-R: 4X CLV, 8X CLV, 12X Zone-CLV, 16X Zone-CLV
Multi Speed CD-RW: 4X CLV
High Speed CD-RW: 4X CLV, 10X CLV
Access Time (Random Average): DVD-ROM 140 msec
CD-ROM 130 msec
Interface: IEEE1394 & USB2.0
Mounting Orientation: Horizontal and Vertical
Interface: ATAPI (PIO Mode4)/Multi Word DMA Mode2) Ultra DMA33(Ultra DMA Mode2)
Data Buffer (size): 2 MBytes