The DVR-A03 drive is the first of its kind to support multiple recording formats including DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R and CD-RW and a 2X DVD-R recording speed. The DVR-A03 drive which began shipping to distributors and retail outlets in May is now available for $649 (MSRP). In addition, Pioneer's DVD-RW Re-recordable media has also been reduced and is now available for $15.99 (MSRP) per disc.

The recordable formats, DVD-R and DVD-RW, are members of the DVD Forum's family of DVD specifications. DVD-R is a write-once format, which provides compatibility with most DVD-Video players and DVD-ROM drives. DVD-RW is a re-recordable format that allows users to re-record on the same DVD disc over 1,000 times, and is compatible with many existing DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players.

"DVD-Recordable technology has become a standard in the authoring and professional industries and ensures a mix of compatibility and features ideal for digital video editing and distribution," said Hani Gabriel, senior vice president, Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc., Business Solutions Division, Optical Systems Group. "The new price point on the DVR-A03 now brings the technology to the mainstream consumer for applications such as video archiving, audio recording, digital image storage, computer backups and burning home movies. That content can be shared through a large majority of the current installed base of DVD-ROM drives and DVD-Video players."

The DVR-A03 is sold as a retail kit, which includes the ATAPI internal drive, DVD authoring software, CD and DVD data recording software and one piece of blank DVD-R media. PC World, PC Magazine, Emedia, Maximum PC, Video Systems, and MacAddict magazines all have awarded the drive top honors this year, along with the PC World, World Class Award for the most promising product of 2001.

The DVR-A03 drive is available through resellers and retail outlets nation-wide. Pioneer also offers an OEM version of the DVR-A03, which is currently available in select desktop systems from Apple, Compaq and Sony.

    Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc., Business Solutions Division,
    Optical Systems Group

Pioneer's Optical Systems Group is a premier innovator of computer driven DVD solutions, having introduced the world's first combination DVD-R/-RW and CD-R/RW recordable drive. Pioneer's Optical Systems Group is a leading supplier of DVD-ROM and DVD-Recordable drives to top tier OEM PC manufacturers. Pioneer manufactures DVD libraries and M-O and WORM multifunctional optical drives and media. The Business Solutions Division provides professional business-to-business products across a wide range of markets including cable television, pro video/audio, educational, medical, legal and banking.