Pioneer has confirmed the availability of their new Blu-ray ROM / DVD recordable combo drive, the BDC-202. It reads Blu-ray discs at 5x maximum and records DVDs at 12x speed. A combination like this should be a very attractive solution for the regular consumers and PC workstation builders.

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.’