by Anton Shilov
08/01/2006 | 11:48 PM
Logitec, a well-known manufacturer of computer peripherals in <%BANNER[article]%>
Logitec’s LBD-A2FU2/LBD-A2U2 drives, which are made by Panasonic, can playback, read, record and re-write DVDs (8x speed for DVD+R/-R/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 4x for DVD+R/-R DL, 5x for DVD-RAM) as well as playback, read and record single-layer 25GB Blu-Ray discs (at up to 2x) and dual-layer 50GB BDs, it also can playback and burn CDs (24x CD-R and 16x CD-RW). The device integrates 8MB buffer to allow burning without data interruption.
The LBD-A2FU2 supports both FireWire and USB 2.0 connection, while the model LBD-A2U2 only has USB 2.0 connectivity. Besides Mac OS X, the devices are bundled with software that works in Windows 2000/XP operating systems. According to Japanese web-site PC Watch, the A2U2 costs ¥121 800 ($1064), while the A2FU2 is priced at ¥138 600 ($1211).
lu-ray and HD DVD formats compete for replacing the DVD standard. HD DVD discs can store up to 15GB on a single layer and up to 30GB on two layers. Its competitor, Blu-ray, can store up to 27GB per single layer and up to 50GB on two layers, but Blu-ray discs are more expensive to produce. The HD DVD is pushed aggressively by Toshiba and NEC as well as being standardized at the DVD Forum, which represents over 230 consumer electronics, information technology, and content companies worldwide. Blu-ray is backed by Sony and Panasonic, which are among the world’s largest makers of electronics. Among
Traditional single-layer DVDs allow consumers to watch movies in 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL) resolution with Dolby Digital audio. The blue-laser discs will provide consumers 1920x1080 resolution as well as DTS or Dolby Digital Plus audio along with some additional interactive features.