Sony Announces 4x Internal Blu-ray Writer

Folks looking to add Blu-ray burning to their computer might want to check out the Sony BWU-200S, which offers 4x burning speeds and an SATA interface.

For folks with a serious media fixation—or maybe just serious data backup needs—who want to burn their very own Blu-ray discs, Sony’s got a new internal drive for you: the Sony BWU-200S internal Blu-ray writer. The new unit replaces Sony’s first aftermarket Blu-ray writer, the BWU-100A, and offers 4× Blu-ray burning speeds, which means it can fill a 50 GB BD-R (write once) disc in about 45 minutes.

The BWU-200S can also burn to BD-RE media at 2×, and can handle traditional DVD and CD media as well (DVD±R goes at 16×, dual-layer DVD±R at 8×, CD-R at up to 40×, and CD-RW at 24×). The drive can also play back DVDs recorded in AVCHD format.

The 5.25-inch drive is designed for easy installation in Windows XP/Vista-equipped desktop PCs, and the BWU-200S features an SATA interface; the unit comes bundled with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 video production software and CyberLink BD Solution software for capturing, authoring, and burning high-definition video content.

Sony is offering the drive for $599.99, and is accepting pre-orders now for November ship dates.