First External Combo Optical Disc Drive From Buffalo Technology

Buffalo Technology announced the availability of its first
external optical disk drive. Aimed at tech-savvy consumers, the Blu-ray
& HD DVD Combo Drive [BRHC-6316U2] can both read/write Blu-ray and
read HD DVD formats.

With both Blu-ray and HD DVD support, the
device boasts single and double layer Blu-ray read/write speeds of up
to 6x; HD DVD read speed of up to 3x; and DVD read/write speeds of up
to 16x. With Blu-ray write capabilities, high definition content
including audio and video can be stored in the quality intended and,
with dual layer discs capable of storing up to 50GB, it is a cost
effective backup option for SMB/SOHO users.

The drive is
backwards compatible meaning it can play existing DVD formats as well
as burn DVD-ROM discs that are compatible with ordinary, domestic DVD
players.

The Blu-ray & HD DVD Combo Drive is easy to use,
with a simple Plug&Play connection to any PC via a USB interface.
Buffalo’s TurboUSB technology further enhances performance and Secure
Lock Ware Software for Windows ensures the highest levels of security.
The latest version of Nero 8 software makes burning multimedia content
a breeze, with new features for HD support, backup, video editing and
converting, and CD/DVD labelling.

Gerardine Lynch, Product
Marketing Manager at Buffalo Technology, comments, “In 2007, over 2.5
million units of high definition DVDs were sold in Europe1,
highlighting  the rapid rate at which consumers are adopting this new
format. As the trend continues in 2008, users
can be confident that this drive will meet their needs by giving a
choice of formats in one device, as well as ensuring investments in
historic DVD media are not wasted. For the SMB audience, this drive
also provides a good alternative solution for storing data to DVD.”

The
Blu-ray & HD DVD Combo Drive is available in late April at an estimated street price (ex
VAT) of £284.

Buffalo Technology