Sep 30, 2009 09:00 ET

Pioneer Launches First 12x Blu-ray Disc Writer

High-Speed 12x Write Capability Lets Professional Users and Enthusiasts Quickly Test, Author and Preserve High Definition Content

LONG BEACH, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Sep 30, 2009 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today announces its new BDR-205 Blu-ray Disc® Computer Writer, the industry’s first and fastest model to feature up to 12x write speed for single and dual-layer Blu-ray Disc (BD) media*. Ideal for authoring providers and system builders, the Pioneer® BD/DVD/CD Writer provides accurate, rapid performance for demanding professional applications.

“The BDR-205 drive represents our ongoing efforts to combine Pioneer’s engineering expertise with advanced technologies, and our next generation Blu-ray Disc writer is a great example of our no-compromise approach to optical disc product development,” said Steve Cohn, director of optical disc sales for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “We are bringing to market the fastest Blu-ray Disc writer to date, and it is just one of the many ’firsts’ that have come to define Pioneer’s 30-year heritage in optical disc innovation and leadership.”

Dynamic Performance for an Array of Professional Users

When utilized with a properly configured PC, the drive’s Low Vibration Mechanism Design improves overall writing accuracy, especially for those preserving copious amounts of critical data. Designed for maximum flexibility, Pioneer’s writer provides significant solutions for multiple user groups, including:

• System builders can confidently recommend the sophisticated BDR-205 to their clients, noting the drive’s unique design, robust build quality and high grade parts
• With 50Gbytes** of storage space on a dual-layer Blu-ray Disc, professional users can utilize the BDR-205 to rapidly test high definition feature films during the authoring process, as well as to back up large volumes of data with ease
• Besides up to 12x write speeds for Blu-ray Disc media, Pioneer’s new computer drive also provides read and write speed performance up to 16x for DVD and 40x for CD media

The new BDR-205 Blu-ray Disc computer writer begins shipping October 2009. The retail version of this product, the BDR-2205, will be available Q1 2010 for $249 MSRP.

Pioneer has been an innovator of optical disc technology since it shipped its first LaserDisc products, the precursor to DVD, to the consumer market in 1980. Pioneer went on to introduce the first DVD writer for video authoring use in 1997, the first DVD recorder as a VCR replacement in 1999, the first DVD/CD writer for home computer users in 2001 and the first Blu-ray Disc writer in 2006. Pioneer Corporation is one of the original Blu-ray Disc Founders. More details can be located at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

BDR-205 Specifications Table
Disc Media	Write Speed (max.)	Read Speed (max.)
BD-R SL	12x1	8x
BD-R DL	12x2	8x
BD-RE	2x	8x
BD-RE DL	2x	6x
BD-ROM SL/DL	-	8x
DVD-R/+R SL	16x	16x
DVD-R/+R DL	8x	12x
DVD-RW SL	6x	12x
DVD+RW	8x	12x
DVD-ROM SL	-	16x
DVD-ROM DL	-	12x
DVD-RAM	5x	5x
CD-R	40x	40x
CD-RW	24x	24x
CD-ROM	-	40x
Dimensions (H x W x D)	1.67 x 5.83” x 7.09”
Weight (pounds)	1.8
Interface	Serial-ATA (SATA)

* The drive has been tested to achieve 12x speeds with certain media brands. 12x writing on all media cannot be guaranteed.

** Gbytes refers to billion bytes

¹ 12x BD-R SL write speed achieved using Panasonic and Sony 6x BD-R media

² 12x BD-R DL write speed achieved using Panasonic BD-R DL media

PIONEER and the PIONEER logo are registered trademarks of the Pioneer Corporation.

BLU-RAY DISC is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6061589&lang=en

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Diana Gonzales, 310-952-2401
diana.gonzales@pioneer-usa.com
Brian Hale, 310-952-2418
brian.hale@pioneer-usa.com