Sony Delivers 4X Dual Layer DVD Writer

Sony Electronics is expanding its lineup of award-winning DVD burners with a pair of new drives that support 4X DVD-R Dual Layer (DL) recording.

The internal DRU-800A and external DRX-800UL models can burn up to four hours of high-quality video or up to 8.5 GB of data, music and/or images onto a single DVD-R DL disc.

The 800 series marks Sony’s ninth generation of dual format DVD burners and also features 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD±R, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R and 24X CD-RW recording.

In addition, the DRU-800A and DRX-800UL drives come bundled with a software package from Nero for burning and authoring home movies, creating digital scrapbooks, and backing up crucial data.

The internal DRU-800A and external DRX-800UL models can burn up to four hours of high-quality video or up to 8.5 GB of data, music and/or images onto a single DVD-R DL disc.

The 800 series marks Sony’s ninth generation of dual format DVD burners and also features 4X DVD+R DL, 16X DVD±R, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R and 24X CD-RW recording.

In addition, the DRU-800A and DRX-800UL drives come bundled with a software package from Nero® for burning and authoring home movies, creating digital scrapbooks, and backing up crucial data.

DVD and CD Software Suite

The burners come bundled with award-winning Nero DVD video authoring software, as well as with DVD/CD burning software for creation of data, music, and video DVDs and CDs.  The full-featured software suite also includes packet-writing software for users to easily record files and folders by dragging to the icon of a DVD+RW/CD-RW disc.  All tasks and applications are accessible via the Nero StartSmart launcher, which serves as a command center and gives the user one-click access to all programs in the package.  The software suite includes:

§         Nero Burning ROM 6 SE and Nero Express® 6 CD/DVD mastering software for data, audio and CD/DVD writing and copying;

§         Nero VisionExpress 2 VCD/SVCD and DVD authoring software for advanced video capturing, authoring, full video editing and photo slideshow creation; users can crop, clean up, add special effects to photos and then add transitions and a soundtrack, as well as cut, edit, dub, and turn videos into Hollywood-style masterpieces;

§         Nero InCD4 packet writing software for formatting rewritable discs so they can be used like large floppy disks with drag-and-drop capability;

§         Nero ShowTimeâ„¢ DVD-Video playing software for viewing DVD movies and personal video projects, along with MPEG-4 compatibility;

§         Nero PhotoSnap captures digital photos right from a digital camera or scanner and provides basic image editing as well as a viewer utility;

§         Nero MediaHome streaming media server allows sharing of media files over a home network;

§         Nero Recode2 DVD-Video converter makes backup copies of unprotected DVDs – ideal for making copies of home movie DVDs to share with friends and family. Can also compile multiple DVD discs into a single DVD;

§         Nero BackItUp backup softwarefor complete PC backup, with an easy-to-use wizard interface for multiple backup modes, automatically scheduled backups, and backups spanning several CDs or DVDs;

§         Nero MediaPlayer / Wave Editor management/jukebox software and audio editing software for audio file creation with various filters and effects;

§         Nero Cover Designer disc label creation softwarefor creating individual CD/DVD covers and labels; and

§         Nero Toolkit drive tool softwarefor critical media and drive analysis used by drive manufacturers worldwide.

Availability and Pricing

The internal DRU-800A is currently shipping for about $130, while the external DRX-800UL is expected to ship in late May for around $210.  Sony DVD/CD rewritable drives are sold through resellers and retailers nationwide, mail order catalogs, and select online shopping sites, including sonystyle.com.