The Pioneer BDR-206MBK, the company's Blu-ray Multi-Layer writer for PCs that reads/writes to the new BDXL Blu-ray format, will be available in the U.K and the U.S. in January. The drive, which is already available in Japan for about 30,000 JYen ($371), is compatible with BD-RXL media - triple layer 100GB and quadruple layer 128GB write-once discs. The writer provides a maximum write speed of 6X with BD-R SL media (25GB). It is able to burn and read 3-layer and 4-layer BD-R XL (100GB and 128GB) and 3-layer BD-RE XL (100GB) discs at 2X/4X and and 2X speeds, respectively. And it integrates Pioneer technologies to reduce dust ingress and dampen operating noise.

The drive is also compatible with the Blu-ray 3D format and of course is also capable of writing on BD-Rs (6X), BD-R DL (6X), BD-R LtH (6X), BD-RE SL /DL at 2x, DVD recordables (SL / DL) at 8X max, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD+RW at 8X, DVD-RAM at 5X and CD-R/RW at 24X.

Key technologies engineered into the BDR-206MBK include:

- Limit Equalizer technology: the technology purifies unclear signals generated when reading data on BD discs and improves reading quality.

- Disc vibration Resonance Stabilizer dedicated for precision writing in a high speed environment: high speed disc rotation causes disc warping due to disc resonant vibration. This results in unstable writing quality, especially in the outer areas the newly designed top chassis, air flow caused by the high speed rotation will press the disc.

- Airtight design: the writer?s airtight sealed housing prevents dust ingress to stop impurities impacting read/write quality. It also significantly reduces operating noise to enhance applications such as listening to music or watching movies

- PowerRead: the PowerRead function ensures that discs in a bad condition (e.g with light scratches, and fingerprints and stains) can be play backed.

The BDR-206MBK will be sold in Europe to Pioneer's OEMs and direct to consumers from Pioneer distributors in January 2011. U.S. consumers have the chance to get the BDR-206MBK now for a suggested retail price of $199. The BDXL drive can be purchased at Fry’s Electronics and at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

TDK, Panasonic and Sharp have already released BDXL media (100GB BD-R for 4x) in Japan, available at the price range of 4,300 - 5,000 YEN ($52~$60 / €39~€45).

Specifications

Discs compatible for burning	BD	BD-R (Single / Dual / Triple (BD-R XL)/ Quadruple layer (BD-R XL)) BD-RE (Single / Dual / Triple layer (BD-RE XL))
	DVD	DVD-R , DVD-R DL, DVD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + R DL, DVD + RW DVD + RW, DVD-RAM
	CD	CD-R, CD-RW, HS CD-RW, US CD-RW, US + CD-RW
Discs compatible for playing	BD	BD-ROM (Single / Dual layer), BD-R (Single / Dual / Triple / Quadruple layer), BD-RE (Single / Dual / Triple layer)
	DVD	DVD-ROM (Single / Dual layer), DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW DVD + R, DVD + R DL, DVD + RW, DVD-RAM
	CD	CD-ROM (Mode 1 & 2), CD-ROM XA, Photo CD (Single / Multi-session) Video CD, CD-DA, CD-Extra, CD-R, CD-RW
Interface	Serial ATA Revision 2.6
Write speeds	BD	-R	2x, 4x, 6x
		-R DL	2x, 4x
		-R Triple layer	2x, 4x, 6x
		-R Quad Layer	2x, 4x
		-R (LtH)	2x, 4x, 6x
		-RE	2x
		-RE DL	2x
		-RE TL	2x
	DVD	-R	1x, 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x
		-R DL	2x, 4x, 6x, 8x
		-RW	1x, 2x, 4x, 6x
		+R	2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x
		+R DL	2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x
		+RW	2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x
		-RAM	2x, 3x, 5x
	CD	-R	4x, 10x, 16x, 24x
		-RW	4x, 10x, 16x, 24x
Read Speed	BD-ROM (single layer)		6x Max
	BD-ROM (double layer)		6x Max
	DVD-ROM (single layer)		8x Max
	DVD-ROM (double layer)		8x Max
	CD-ROM		24x
Buffer size	4MB
Installation position	Horizontal / Vertical
Dimensions and weight	148 mm x 42.3 mm x 180 mm (W x H x D) 750 g