The press release
Pioneer’s New Blu-ray
‘Combo’ Drive Meets
Strong Demand for HD Movie Playback and Provides DVD and CD Read/Write
Compatibility
26 January 2007, DISTREE XXL Monte Carlo: Pioneer today confirms the availability of its new ‘BDC-202’ Blu-ray Disc Combo Drive. With BD-ROM compatibility, the drive enables professionals and consumers to watch pristine quality high-definition (HD) movies on PCs. It also includes read support for single and dual-layer Blu-ray disc formats together with high-speed read/write compatibility with a range of DVD and CD media. With Pioneer reliability and a competitive price point, the BDC-202 meets the growing demand for a versatile HD entertainment experience complemented by practical general-purpose back-up capabilities.
Awareness of the stunning quality of HD content is growing among end-users; knowledge that’s gathering steam as the increasing numbers of high-profile movie titles are published and promoted in the Blu-ray format. At the same time, unit costs of powerful graphics processors, high-specification sound cards and attractive flat-screen displays are falling and, in combination with Blu-ray drives, provide the option of offering an exceptional PC-based movie experience.
‘Blu-ray is in pole position to capture demand for HD movies: it’s supported by seven out of the eight major Hollywood studios. We’ve ensured that BDC-202 is price competitive to existing next generation drives so systems builders can enable consumers to access this extensive catalogue of Blu-ray titles in stunning quality,’ says Chris Tampsett, Director, Pioneer Europe Multimedia Division. ‘And with DVD and CD read/write compatibility, the drive provides a compelling mix of high-quality entertainment and practicality. We anticipate that it will lead the emergence of the Blu-ray format for both professional and personal use on computers.’
Among the next generation storage formats, the movie experience is advanced furthest by Blu-ray. As well as the exceptional clarity of HD images, it enables up to 50GB of high-definition video and audio content to be stored on a single disc including the most innovative interactive features seen to date alongside extensive bonus materials. The drive also supports high-speed DVD read/write (including DVD-R/RW, +R/RW and DVD-RAM) and CD read/write to manage general-purpose data-intensive file transfer and archiving; from creating image libraries and MP3 catalogues, to home movies and system back-ups.
Availability
The BDC-202 will be sold to OEMs and systems builders. It will be available from the second quarter of 2007.
About Pioneer
Pioneer Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of consumer and business use electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics. Its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
26 January 2007, DISTREE XXL Monte Carlo: Pioneer today confirms the availability of its new ‘BDC-202’ Blu-ray Disc Combo Drive. With BD-ROM compatibility, the drive enables professionals and consumers to watch pristine quality high-definition (HD) movies on PCs. It also includes read support for single and dual-layer Blu-ray disc formats together with high-speed read/write compatibility with a range of DVD and CD media. With Pioneer reliability and a competitive price point, the BDC-202 meets the growing demand for a versatile HD entertainment experience complemented by practical general-purpose back-up capabilities.
Awareness of the stunning quality of HD content is growing among end-users; knowledge that’s gathering steam as the increasing numbers of high-profile movie titles are published and promoted in the Blu-ray format. At the same time, unit costs of powerful graphics processors, high-specification sound cards and attractive flat-screen displays are falling and, in combination with Blu-ray drives, provide the option of offering an exceptional PC-based movie experience.
‘Blu-ray is in pole position to capture demand for HD movies: it’s supported by seven out of the eight major Hollywood studios. We’ve ensured that BDC-202 is price competitive to existing next generation drives so systems builders can enable consumers to access this extensive catalogue of Blu-ray titles in stunning quality,’ says Chris Tampsett, Director, Pioneer Europe Multimedia Division. ‘And with DVD and CD read/write compatibility, the drive provides a compelling mix of high-quality entertainment and practicality. We anticipate that it will lead the emergence of the Blu-ray format for both professional and personal use on computers.’
Among the next generation storage formats, the movie experience is advanced furthest by Blu-ray. As well as the exceptional clarity of HD images, it enables up to 50GB of high-definition video and audio content to be stored on a single disc including the most innovative interactive features seen to date alongside extensive bonus materials. The drive also supports high-speed DVD read/write (including DVD-R/RW, +R/RW and DVD-RAM) and CD read/write to manage general-purpose data-intensive file transfer and archiving; from creating image libraries and MP3 catalogues, to home movies and system back-ups.
Availability
The BDC-202 will be sold to OEMs and systems builders. It will be available from the second quarter of 2007.
About Pioneer
Pioneer Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of consumer and business use electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics. Its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
