Extending its leadership in developing optical storage products to meet evolving needs, Toshiba's Storage Device Division (SDD) today announced two new combination drives that deliver DVD/CD recordability to notebook and desktop computers. Based on the DVD-R/RW format, Toshiba's combination drives support the most widely compatible DVD standard, giving consumers the highest level of compatibility with legacy DVD devices. Toshiba's SD-R6012 slim combination drive -- the industry's first DVD/CD recordable drive for mobile computers -- allows PC manufacturers to deliver unprecedented functionality to mobile computer users, providing both DVD and CD read and write capabilities. Until now, only desktop computers have had the luxury of DVD recordability for applications such as audio/video editing and personal digital compilations.

"Consumers are looking to create, edit, and burn both work-related and personal digital productions -- on the fly and on the go," said Maciek Brzeski, vice president of marketing at Toshiba SDD.

"Our new lightweight combination drive brings DVD recording to the mobile world, providing users with a stepping stone to move from CD to DVD technology for creating and storing family photos, files, videos and other memories people don't want to lose."

The SD-R6012 slim drive supports writing DVD-R/RW at 1X, writing CD-R/RW at 16x/10x, and reads 8X DVD and 24X CD.

About Toshiba's DVD Recordable Technology

Given the popularity of DVD and the evolution of recordable/rewritable formats for entertainment content, Toshiba's new SD-R6012 slim drive and SD-R5002 desktop drive support two of the hottest trends driving the convergence of consumer electronics and computing -- video and audio recording/editing. The combination drives are also a great stepping stone for users to dabble between CD and DVD media -- all while providing the safety net of CD read and write technology.

Both DVD-R and DVD-RW formats are sanctioned by the DVD Forum. In addition, they are compatible with most legacy DVD players, while other formats may have compatibility issues with existing players. DVD-R/RW media is affordably priced at $5 and $10/disc respectively.

"DVD is expected to replace audio CD, videotape, laser disc and CD-ROM/RW technology, becoming the de facto standard for home entertainment and lifestyle computing," Brzeksi said. "Toshiba's new combination drives provide customers with a sound investment to make an effortless transition from CD to DVD technology."
Product Specification Details

Model name: SD-R6012 Slim Supported Disc Formats
- Read: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-DA, CD+(E)G, CD-MIDI, CD-TEXT, CD-ROM XA, MIXED MODE CD, CD-I, CD-I Bridge (Photo-CD, Video-CD), Multi-session CD (Photo-CD, CD-EXTRA, Portfolio, CD-R, CD-RW), CD-R, CD-RW, High-Speed CD-RW
- Write: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, High-Speed CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW
Interface: ATAPI
Average Random Seek: DVD: 100ms (Typ) CD: 95ms (Typ) Write Performance
- DVD-R (Ver. 2.0): 1X
- DVD-RW (Ver. 1.0): 1X (CLV)
- CD-R 16X (ZCLV)
- CD-RW (High Speed): 10X (CLV)
Read Performance:
- DVD-ROM (Single): 8X (CAV)
- DVD-ROM (Dual): 6X (CAV)
- DVD-R, DVD-RW: 4X (CAV)
- CD-ROM, CD-R: 24X (CAV)
- CD-RW: 12X (CAV)
- CD-Audio Extraction: 12X (CAV)
- Video-CD: 6X (PCAV)
Buffer Capacity: 2 MB
MTBF: 60,000 hours
Mounting Orientation: Horizontal and Vertical
External Dimensions: 128mm x 12.7mm x 126mm (W x H x D)
Weight: 0.2 kg