SONY LAUNCHES CD-REWRITABLE DRIVES WITH USB AND i.LINK(tm) INTERFACES
New Drives Provide High Performance and Easy Connectivity
SAN JOSE, Calif. Mar. 22, 1999 - Sony today announced its first CD-Rewritable drives to incorporate the popular USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface and the emerging i.LINK (IEEE1394) interface. The new Spressa(tm) USB (CRX100E/X) and Spressa i.LINK (CRX120E/X) drives offer a superb combination of performance, functionality, and ease of use for average consumers as well as prosumers and corporate end users.
The Spressa USB drive supports quad speed (4X) recording of CD-R media, double speed (2X) of CD-RW media, and CD-ROM maximum reading performance of 6X. By using the versatile USB interface, the drive is easily shared between computers, and can even be disconnected and re-connected while the computer is still running. The Spressa USB drive also offers the added flexibility of attachment to both Macintosh® and Windows® computers.
The Spressa i.LINK drive supports quad speed (4X) recording of CD-R and CD-RW discs, and CD-ROM maximum reading performance of 24X. i.LINK technology enables maximum performance and allows other multimedia peripherals including digital video and still cameras to be daisy chained simply and easily. And because i.LINK is hot plugable, devices can be attached or removed after the computer has been turned on, making it easy to share the Spressa drive with other systems. The Spressa i.LINK drive for Macintosh systems will be Sony's first offering, with Windows compatibility available in the Fall.
"Apple leadership in adopting next-generation I/O such as USB and FireWire® (IEEE1394) is encouraging innovative developers to bring out great add-ons for the Macintosh," said Phil Schiller, Apple's vice president of worldwide product marketing. "Sony has been at the forefront in delivering great new USB and IEEE1394 products, and we think their new CD-Rewritable drive will be a hit with iMac(tm) and Power Macintosh® G3 computer customers around the world."
The Spressa USB drive comes with CD Creation software that offers powerful tools for Macintosh and Windows systems, including:
€ Sony Discribe for the Macintosh creates CD-ROM and CD audio discs, and performs CD to CD copies quickly and easily. [Image] Discribe offers advanced CD authoring tools using an easy to navigate interface.
€ Sony HotBurn for Windows offers first-time users the easy to follow Wizard interface to perform basic CD authoring functions in a simple, step-by-step process, while advanced users can take advantage of the powerful Layout Managers to produce more complex CD projects.
€ CD Stomper(tm) Pro label software that allows users to custom design their own CD disc and jewelcase labels and then print them on a laser or inkjet printer.
The Spressa i.LINK drive comes bundled with Discribe and CD Stomper Pro, as well as Retrospect Express(tm) backup software for the Macintosh.
"With the Macintosh, simplicity is key and with its quick set-up and easy to use features, the Spressa USB drive is a perfect companion for Apple's popular iMac computer and the Spressa i.LINK drive is great for the power needs of the Apple Power Macintosh G3 computer user," said Bob DeMoulin, marketing manager of value added products for Sony Electronics' Component Company. "Sony is also strongly promoting the use of the i.LINK interface for its Windows based, VAIO® desktop and notebook PCs, and in the Fall, The Spressa drive will be one of the first i.LINK storage peripherals available for the PC market."
Spressa drives use inexpensive CD-R discs for exchanging large files with others or for applications where data permanence is desired. CD-RW discs can be used ideally for personal file storage, as well as backup or CD-ROM prototyping.
The Spressa kits come complete with external drive, Sony's CD Creation software bundle, one blank CD-RW disc, one blank CD-R disc, USB or i.LINK data cable, AC power cord, user guide, and quick start card.
Sony supports worry-free installation and easy operation with the industry's best customer service. Toll-Free 24 hour, 365 day technical support is included, along with a full one year limited warranty from date of purchase.
The Sony Spressa USB drive has a suggested list price of $399 and will be available in March. The Spressa i.LINK drive will be offered in May at a suggested list price of $499. Both products will be available through retailers, VARs, catalog distribution and directly from Sony.
Bob Nunn - President, Operator Headgap Systems President, AppleCore of Memphis, Inc. E-mail: headgap@headgap.com
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