Pioneer Multimedia Europe today unveils the DRM - 3000, its new DVD-R/RW Jukebox which alongside its larger sister product the DRM-7000, is the only jukebox to offer DVD-R and DVD-RW compatibility. The product can also be configured with DVD-ROM and CD-R media and with its advanced autochanger, provides a flexible, secure and high-capacity (2.5TB) storage library that will appeal to professionals across a broad range of markets including medical imaging, prepress, audio/video applications, CAD archiving, post production and document imaging. "Several key criteria influence the purchasing of archiving solutions. The first is ever-growing data volumes - companies require scaleable storage solutions that can safely store and access data while accommodating future demands. Security is also a critical issue. In addition, the market is increasingly cost-conscious and products are evaluated against initial investment, maintenance and on-going media expenditure. On each of these scales DVD scores highly and products like the DRM - 3000 set new benchmarks for storage library performance," observes Erik Haugen, European sales manager, Mass Storage solutions, Pioneer Multimedia.

The DRM - 3000 guarantees data integrity. Users wishing to permanently protect files can record to DVD-R or CD-R media while the re-write facility of DVD-RW enables data to be overwritten for back up and general storage. Reliability is also impressive, the failure rate is less than one percent - figures that tape and disc-based systems cannot compete with. Due to the modular build of the product, DVD jukeboxes are easier to maintain - for example, a faulty drive can be exchanged while the system remains in operation. As disc and tape-based products are comparatively complex to maintain, Pioneer believes that significant cost-savings can be achieved with the DRM - 3000 in maintenance and service charges over traditional systems

Savings are also generated through on-going investment in media. The price per megabyte of DVD is £1.76 - a tenth of MO - and DVD continues to fall steeply while the price per megabyte of tape remains relatively static. DVD is also a robust medium. Data can be stored without significant degradation on DVD for more than 30 years providing long-term protection for the investment in media.

Concludes Haugen, "DVD jukeboxes have been embraced in the medical sector which demands impeccable levels of security from its storage solutions along with scaleability, cost efficiency and high levels of technical performance. The DVD story is now permeating through to other markets and we believe that DVD jukeboxes will increasingly be purchased by professional users who have traditionally relied on hard disc and tape-based solutions. DVD has a very strong future in the professional storage market."

Technical information

Network compatibility is through a SCSI-2 connection. By using third party software the DRM - 3000 can be connected to all key network environments including Windows NT/2000/XP and UNIX.

Including the DRM-3000 in a network, the client is allowed instant and swift access to large amounts of data obtained from an external source, or created in-house, using DVD-R/RW technology. The DRM - 3000 also includes the feature of locked or unlocked disc magazines. The locked magazine allows the re-loading of a full magazine previously ejected to allow for more frequently accessed disc to take place in the jukebox without having to initialise the autochanger. The memory chip in the locked magazine stores the disc location information surpassing the need to switch the system off-line.

Drive configuration

The DRM-3000 can store up to 320 single (1.5TB) or 270 double (2.5TB) DVD media. The maximum number of DVD-ROM readers is eight while maximum four DVD-R drives may be employed. Note that the system is modular and a high disc ratio means only room for a lower number of drives. The maximum amount of drives (DVD-R and DVD-ROM) combined is eight. The application and access frequency determines what drive combination to use.

For further information, please contact:
Erik Haugen
Pioneer Europe, Multimedia Division
Phone: +44 (0)1753 789 660
erik_haugen@mmd.pioneer.be