If you read my article on Apple's new SuperDrive, you were probably wondering if that technology would be available to other computer users. Well, I have good news for you - it is!

While Apple made it seem like this was an exclusive development that would only be available on their top-of-the-line G4, in reality the SuperDrive is nothing but Pioneer's brand new DVR-A03 DVD-R drive. This means that you don't have to put your present G4 up for sale on eBay, yet. It also means that PC users, too, will be able to benefit from the same technology.

DVD-R is a 4.7GB write-once DVD format that is compatible with most existing video players and DVD-ROM drives. Pioneer¹s DVR-A03 drive writes and reads DVD-R, CD-R and CD-RW media, and also reads CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs. The drive offers up to 4.7GB of storage capacity on a single sided DVD disc and is now at 2X recording speed —another industry first. This remarkable combination drive is targeted for home video editing and professional-quality DVD recording alike.

"Pioneer has achieved a new milestone with the DVR-A03 drive," said Hani Gabriel, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Optical Systems Division for Pioneer. "This is an exciting new product and we're very pleased that Apple will be offering our latest DVD recording technology."

"For the first time, Macintosh users have a cost-effective way to convert their video creations into their own DVD discs," said Paul Dempsey, president of Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc. "The DVD-R format provides an excellent medium for both consumers and professional video users alike to showcase their work using standard DVD video players and ROM drives."

"The blazingly fast new Power Mac G4 combined with Pioneer's new DVD/CD recordable drive and innovative Apple software such as iTunes and iDVD provides a powerful solution for easily making your own CDs and DVDs," said Philip Schiller, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

Pioneer also announced that Compaq Computer Corporation has selected the Pioneer DVR-A03 to be included with the Presario 7000 PC featuring MyMovieSTUDIO video editing Software.

"DVD-R technology allows computer users to make DVD Video discs of their own content that can be played in most existing DVD Video players and DVD-ROM drives," said Andy Parsons, senior vice president of product development and technical support, Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc. "By offering this technology within the The MyMovieSTUDIO bundle, Compaq and Pioneer are bringing an exciting and affordable new capability to users in the home or office. Plus, the DVR-A03's ability to also write and read CD-R and CD-RW media means that one drive can do it all."

"Committed to bringing cutting-edge features to our customers, we are excited to team up with Pioneer, the leader in DVD drive technology to feature the recordable DVD/CD drive in our popular Presario 7000 PCs," said Tony Dowzall, vice president, Marketing & Business Development, Presario Desktop Division, Compaq Computer Corporation. "Now our customers can record and edit their favorite CDs and digital home videos right from their desktop."

End-users will also be able to buy DVR-A03 aftermarket or upgrade kits, off the shelf, for their existing computers. Pioneer is anticipating that these products will begin shipping around the April/May timeframe with an SRP of $995.
In addition to the DVR-A03 drive, Pioneer will continue to provide its popular external DVD-Recordable drive (DVR-S201) for high-end authoring and content development applications.

Regarding Apple, the question is whether their idvd authoring software, which comes free with the SuperDrive G4, will be available to other users just like the iTunes software is (a convenient Internet download). Or whether it will even be available for sale to those users who chose to add the DVR-A03 to their existing Macs.

The DVR-A03 is an exciting product that will open the doors to DVD content delivery for the postproduction industry as well as corporate video producers and even home users. As the price of media drops and the availability of DVD players increase, it is possible that clients will start walking away with DVD copies of their masters instead of VHS dubs. It is also very probable that an increasing number of interactive presentations will be done on DVD instead of CD-ROM. This enables the display of high-quality, full screen video imagery and digital audio while maintaining interactivity features. As authoring tools get more affordable and easier to use, producing DVD-based presentations may become more attractive both economically and in terms of production time.

About Pioneer New Media Technologies:

As an industry leader in the digital marketplace, Pioneer New Media Technologies Inc., continues to provide the industry's most innovative technologies for professional and industrial business applications. World's first technologies introduced by Pioneer include recordable DVD-R drives, multiple-disc CD-ROM changer, mass storage 700-disc DVD library and combination DVD/CD recordable drive.
Pioneer's innovative business solutions are currently serving applications in the education, entertainment, government, legal, medical, insurance, and financial market segments. Pioneer is also a leading supplier of DVD-ROM drives to the majority of first tier OEM PC manufacturers.
For more information, contact Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc. at 2265 E. 220th Street, Long Beach, Calif. 90810; phone (310) 952-2111 or (800) 444-6784; URL: www.pioneerusa.com.

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