Independent Testing Shows the New
Ricoh MP7060 Series Drives Burn CD-Rs Faster Than Current 8X
CD-Recorders
TUSTIN, Calif., June 15 /PRNewswire/
-- Ricoh Disc Media and Systems-Center today announced the fastest
CD-R/CD-RW combination drive on the market for July shipping. The
new faster MediaMaster CD-R/CD-RW drive package has a 6X
CD-Recording speed capability, 4X CD-RW rewriting speed and a 24X
CD-reader.
An independent benchmark test
released by XXCAL Testing Laboratories, Japan compared
CD-Recording and CD-read performance speeds against two 8X
CD-Recorders and one 6X CD-Recorder. (There are only two 8X CD-R
drive manufacturers in the world, the remainder are sold through
OEM.) The Ricoh 7060 drives performed better in the CD-R
performance test against all three manufacturers. Ricoh also
performed better than two manufacturers in the read speed
category, and tied with the third. The full report is available
upon request.
Called the MediaMaster MP7060A (atapi)
and MP7060S (scsi), these internal drive packages are MAP priced
at $349 and $399 respectively. The new device complements the
earlier MP7040 series by advancing the technology one step forward
in CD-R media write speed and CD-ROM read speed. An external SCSI
version will be available before the end of July for $449.
Ricoh improved both the write and
read speed by changing an extra-small pick-up module to optimize
its performance. A tracking/focusing servo system was fine tuned
to allow reliable 24X reading. In addition, a write strategy was
improved to ensure reliable 6X writing for CD-R media.
Ricoh, one of only four
manufacturers of Rewriteable CD-Recorders, was the first in the
market to ship them in March, 1997 and has been a major force in
developing the CD-R/RW industry with contributions in both media
and drive technologies. The other three manufacturers are Philips,
Sony and Yamaha.
Mary Bourdon principal analyst for
Dataquest's optical storage program in the Computer Systems and
Peripherals Group reported during Dataquest's Storage Track '98
conference that Ricoh led the market in CD/ReWritable shipments
during 1997.
The MediaMaster MP7060A drive
includes a 2MB data buffer to ensure error-free recordings and the
class 3 million dust-proof design exceeds industry standards. The
drive supports eight standard formats including CD- Digital Audio,
CD-ROM, CD-ROM+, CD-DA, CD-ROM/XA, Photo CD, CD-I, CD-Extra and
Video CD.
The full package includes: Ricoh
MediaMaster MP7060A Internal ATAPI CD- R/CD-RW disc drive or
MP7060S internal SCSI with 2MB buffer; disc drive mounting
hardware, one RICOH Platinum blank CD-R disc, one RICOH
Multi-Speed blank CD-RW disc, one RICOH CeQuadrat PacketCD
formatted CD-RW media, audio cable, users manual, Quick Start
Guide and the following high performance software programs:
- CeQuadrat PacketCD packet
writing software.
- CeQuadrat WinOnCD 3.6
premastering software.
- CeQuadrat just!audio allows
easy creation of personal audio.
- Seagate BackupExec allows the
user to schedule full or incremental backups of systems
System Requirements
The Ricoh MediaMaster MP7060
series drive works with any Pentium 100MHz IBM compatible
microprocessor or greater, requires Windows 98/ 95 operating
system or Macintosh, 32MB or greater RAM, 75MB free hard disk
space, available 5 1/4-inch mass storage bay. An open E-IDE port
is required for the Atapi drive.
Applications Drive Acceptance
International Data Corporation
projects that the major opportunity for CD-RW growth lies in the
desktop computer segments for the home, medium/large business,
small business and small office. Primary applications have
included back-up of system operation, archiving data, exchanging
data and CD audio and data duplication.
Emerging applications with
quad-speed rewritability include updating of information databases
such as client lists, direct mail lists and company financial
records. Due to low storage costs, CDs will also become tools for
data sharing, including customized meeting presentations,
brochures, product listings, price lists and inventory sheets. CD-RW
has become a contender in the secondary storage market for back-up
due to the low cost, multi-functionality and media
interchangeability.
About Ricoh DMS-Center
Headquartered in Tustin, Calif.,
Ricoh DMS-C (Disc, Media and Systems Center), an operating unit of
Ricoh Company LTD, Japan, is a major OEM and supplier of CD-R/RW
drives, optical storage products, recordable media and related
software products. DMS-C, is one of the original consortium
members who developed the CD-RW (rewritable) industry
specifications, and the first manufacturer to market a CD
rewritable disc drive. Ricoh holds many worldwide patents,
including one for CD-RW media. Customer product inquiries and
information requests can be directed to Ricoh 877-Ricoh RW.
(877-742-6479), or through the website http://www.ricohdms.com
About Ricoh Corporation
Ricoh Corporation, headquartered
in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the
63-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment with
1997 sales in excess of $10.6 billion.
Ricoh Corporation is a diversified
office equipment and electronics provider. The company is a
pioneer in the development of computer-connected and digital
multifunctional document systems, is a leader in the
fastest-growing color copier market and is a premier supplier of
black & white copiers, facsimile machines, printers and
scanners.
Ricoh has received the 1998 Energy
Star Imaging Equipment Partner of the Year Award, from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -- the EPA's highest
industry award. Ricoh was chosen for its commitment to the
environment and its extraordinary leadership role in promoting and
producing energy efficient copiers, facsimile machines, printers,
and scanners.
Information about Ricoh's complete
range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide
Web at http://www.ricoh-usa.com
SOURCE: Ricoh Disc Media and
Systems-Center
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