Focused on meeting the needs of the professional graphics and prepress markets since its founding nearly fifteen years ago, LaCie is among the first to offer a combination DVD-RAM/R drive that incorporates FireWire connectivity. The new drive features all of the functionality of DVD-RAM and DVD-R drives, including optimum compatibility for media playback on todayis DVD-ROM drives, DVD players and DVD recorders. Priced about the same as LaCieis earlier external DVD-RAM drive, the combo drive can be easily moved between FireWire-equipped systems.
LaCieis new DVD-RAM/R drive provides users with a single solution for home video, personal computer, business storage/archiving, prepress and graphic storage as well as development/testing of master DVDs. Using 4.7GB DVD-R General media, the LaCie combination drive provides a transfer rate of up to 11.08Mbps. With random-access 4.7GB DVD-RAM media, the drive delivers a data transfer rate of 22.16Mbps. Seek times for DVD-RAM are 75ms and 65ms for DVD-R, DVD-ROM or CD media.
By incorporating FireWire connectivity, the LaCie DVD-RAM/R drive can be connected to the Apple FireWire ports on the most recent Macintosh G4 workstations and Cubes, PowerBooks, and iMacDV systems as well as the 1394 ports of PCs with Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows 2000 (such as new models from Compaq and Sony).
The FireWire bus makes the drive hot-pluggable so it can quickly be moved from computer to computer without having to shut down or reboot the system. The drive automatically detects the system interface and configures the connection so the combination drive mounts as soon as it is plugged in.
The convenience of being able to easily move the drive between FireWire-equipped systems, plus the high capacity of the DVD-RAM and DVD-R media, will make the new LaCie drive especially popular with creative developers and videographers. The LaCie drive looks and behaves just like any other drive on the system, delivering exceptional reliability. Since there is no physical contact between the laser head and the media, no media damage can occur.
The LaCie FireWire DVD-RAM/R drives are expected to be available this summer for US$599. You can find more information at the LaCie Web site.