SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 21, 2002 - Sony Electronics today
debuted a portable, battery-operated CD-RW and DVD-ROM drive
that doubles as a standalone CD, MP3 and WAV player.
The new versatile device (model MPD-AP20U) incorporates a
Memory Stick media slot and operates on a rechargeable battery
to provide users with the ultimate all-in-one burner/player
whether at home, in the office, or on the go. The lightweight
drive includes a hi-speed USB interface for plug-and-play
connectivity and comes with easy-to-use software for Macintosh
and Windows platforms.
The sleek and silvery device enables computer users to perform
common CD-R/RW burning tasks, such as backing up data, recording
digital images and creating original music CDs at up to 24X
speed. When connected to a computer, the MPD-AP20U also operates
as a DVD-ROM drive for viewing DVD movies, and as a Memory
Stick media reader for viewing, saving and transferring files.
When detached from a computer, the drive works as a stand-alone
CD player that can play back standard audio CDs, as well as
MP3 and WAV files from either a CD, DVD, or Memory Stick media.
"Sony has a strength in designing innovative products
that integrate AV and IT so users can benefit from maximum
connectivity and flexibility," said Robert DeMoulin,
marketing manager for branded storage products in Sony Electronics'
IT Products Division. "With the benefits of four products
wrapped into one portable device, the MPD-AP20U is an ideal
all-in-one combination drive for the mobile professional or
savvy consumer."
The new drive comes complete with all the necessary accessories
and a suite of software to begin recording and enjoying out
of the box. The key features include:
*Hi-Speed Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface: Flexible,
fast and easy connectivity and setup on Macintosh and Windows
operating systems. Based on USB 2.0 specification and backward
compatible at lower speeds to USB 1.1.
*High-speed Writing and Reading: 24X maximum CD-R recording,
10X maximum CD-RW recording, 24X maximum CD-ROM reading, and
8X DVD-ROM reading with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compliant).
*"Drop-in" Cradle: Provides USB connection and
AC power for easy computer connectivity and battery recharging.
*A Memory Stick Media Slot: Enables consumers to seamlessly
transfer digital content onto a CD-R/RW disc from dozens of
different electronics devices, or playback MP3/WAV files in
standalone mode.
*MP3 and WAV Audio Format Decoding: Decodes and plays MP3
files encoded from 32Kb/sec. and up to 320Kb/sec. Also, decodes
WAV files for playback. Plays back files recorded on single
or multi-session CD-ROM, or from packet recorded disc.
*A Stamina Rechargeable Battery: Battery life allows for
up to approximately nine CD-R discs or eight CD-RW discs to
be written at 24X speed, up to four hours of CD audio playback,
up to one-and-a-half hours of DVD-ROM playback, and up to
10 hours of MP3 CD playback.
*Wired Remote Control with Backlit LCD Display: Gives quick
access to the playback controls and displays playback list
and MP3/WAV music titles in ID3 tag format, or CD Text information
if encoded onto an audio CD. Supports playlist function and
programming.
*Earphones: Bundled with compact earphones.
Software Suite
The MPD-AP20U drive comes bundled with a software suite that
offers feature-intensive applications for Macintosh and Windows
platforms, along with an integrated product installer that
provides an easy path for users to choose the software they
prefer to install on their system. The software suite includes:
·B's Recorder Gold (Windows & Mac): Lets users
create backup copies of CDs, as well as customized video,
music and data CDs from various file formats;
·B's Clip (Windows only): Allows users to drag and
drop files and folders to a CD-RW disc as easily as to a floppy
disk or hard drive;
·Retrospect Express (Windows & Mac): Full-featured
backup software that provides users with instant back-up and
disaster recovery capabilities;
·ArcSoft PhotoBase (Windows & Mac): Allows users
to create image, video and audio albums for easy management;
share files in the form of slide shows, Web presentations
or video postcards, in addition to storing multimedia files
on CDs;
·ArcSoft PhotoStudio (Windows & Mac): Offers a
quick and easy way to edit digital image files;
·MUSICMATCH® Jukebox (Windows only): Offers users
a complete personal system to play, record, organize and discover
new music through MUSICMATCH Radio; and,
·Cyberlink Power DVD® (Windows only): Allows playback
of DVD-Video discs on your PC.
Availability, Pricing and Warranty
The MPD-AP20U drive will be available nationwide in November
through catalogs, retail outlets and online shopping sites,
including SonyStyle.com, for an estimated selling price of
less than $300.
According to DeMoulin, Sony supports the concept of "worry-free"
installation and easy operation with toll-free customer and
technical service, Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to
8 p.m. CST, along with a one-year limited warranty from date
of purchase.
Key Specifications: Model MPD-AP20U
·Interface: Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compliant), Stereo
mini jack (headphone jack with remote control connector, Memory
Stick media slot ·24X (max) recording (CD-R) and reading
(CD-ROM); 10X (max) recording (CD-RW), 8X (max) reading (DVD-ROM)
·Dimensions: 136.4mm x 22mm x 159mm (W x H x D)
·Weight (including internal battery): approx. 350 grams
·System requirements: Pentium® II 233Mhz or faster
PC with 32Mb RAM, HDD with 1.2Mb sustained transfer rate or
faster, Direct-X supported sound card, Installed USB 1.1 or
2.0 port, Power Macintosh G3, Power Mac G4, iMac DV or iBook®
computer running Mac OS 9.2.2 or higher OR Windows 98/2000/Me/XP
operating system ·Random access time: 160ms ·Battery
life: up to 10 hours continuous MP3 CD playback, up to four
hours CD-DA playback, up to one-and-a-half hours DVD video
playback, up to nine CD-R or seven CD-RW disc recording ·Buffer
memory: 8 MB ·Recording method: Disc-at-Once, Track-at-Once,
Session-at-Once, Fixed & Variable Packet Writing
·Availability: November 2002
·ESP: Less than $300 (Estimated U.S. retail selling
prices. Actual prices may vary)
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