Topic: Hitachi
Category: Peripherals
Technorati: Linking Blogs

Hitachi LG Data Storage has announced 12x DVD recorders that support DVD+R DL (OEM only, to be released in June). Buffalo will be offering the retail versions soon.

Hitachi LG Data Storage's GSA-4120B

Named "Super Multi", this is the first drive that can write DVD-RAM discs at 5x speed (does not support DVD-RAM cartridges). It can also write DVD+R at 12x, DVD+R DL at 2.4x, DVD-R at 8x, DVD±RW a 4x, CD-R at 40x and CD-RW at 24x. The drive has 2MB built-in buffer and utilizes ATAPI interface. Apparently the old 3-chip design (DSP+MPU+SDRAM) is condensed into a single chip, for power saving and better reliability. This drive will be available to OEMs in June.

Buffalo's DVSM-D5812FB and DVSM-D5812IU2

DVSM-D5812FB is Buffalo's retail product based on Hitachi LG's GSA-4120B. Expected retail price is 20,000 to 25,000 yen ($175~220). Its dimensions are 146x41.3x184.6mm and weight is 920g. DVSM-D5812IU2 is the USB2.0/IEEE1394 external version, measures 160x55x279mm and weighs 1.8kg. Specifications are the same as Hitachi's drive, of course, and the retail package includes DV capturing/editing software B's neoDVD 6, video editing software movieFOLiO, DVD/CD recording software B's Recorder GOLD 7 BASIC, DVD player B's Movie Player, packet writing software B's CLiP 5, photo editing software Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 Mini and disc copying software CloneDVD's demo version.
 

Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040518/hitachi.htm
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040518/buffalo.htm

Press releases:
http://buffalo.melcoinc.co.jp/products/new/2004/011_2.html
http://buffalo.melcoinc.co.jp/products/new/2004/011_1.html