IRVINE, Calif., November 18, 1996 -- Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Disk Products Division (TAIS DPD), today introduced the industry's fastest CD-ROM drive. With a 15-speed maximum and a 14-speed average spin speed, the new SCSI-2-interface XM-3801B features an industry-first 90ms average random seek.
"The XM-3801B provides the ultimate in CD-ROM performance and reliability," said Scott Smith, vice president of marketing, TAIS DPD. "The drive's industry-leading access and transfer rates combined with Toshiba's proven 100,000 hour MTBF make the XM-3801B the CD-ROM drive for today's power users, who demand the highest possible performance for a range of applications."
According to Smith, the new 15-speed maximum drive provides an industry-first 2,100KB/sec. average transfer rate that supports all applications including data, gaming and multimedia. The XM-3801B also provides a synchronous burst transfer of 10MB/sec. and asynchronous burst transfer of 5MB/sec.
To achieve these industry leading transfer rates, the drive features a 256KB buffer and Partial Constant Angular Velocity (PCAV), which combines the best of Constant Angular Velocity (CAV) and Constant Linear Velocity (CLV).
In addition to its leading-edge performance, the new XM-3801B sets another industry milestone with its ability to read CD-Erasable media. "This capability will become increasingly important when CD-E drives and media are in use," said Smith.
Toshiba designed the drive for optimum performance. The XM-3801B employs Toshiba's proven Active Wide Range playback system and digital servo control. The Active Wide Range playback system allows the drive to read data at +/- 80% of a specific rotational speed -- allowing the drive to access data on the disc at almost any time. The digital servo control, which offers greater precision in tracking and head positioning, further contributes to performance and reliability.
Toshiba designed its SCSI CD-ROM drive to ensure easy integration. The XM-3801B employs SCAM, or " SCSI Configuration AutoMagically for industry standard SCSI Plug-and-Play." When users connect the XM-3801B drive through a SCSI port to a PC or Macintosh, SCAM automatically configures all aspects of the CD-ROM drive with the computer through the SCSI connection. For integration flexibility, the drive may be mounted horizontally or vertically.
The XM-3801B is fully compatible with a range of industry specifications supporting multimedia applications. The drive offers MPC-3 compatibility, multi-session Photo CD read capability and CD-EXTRA support. The drive reads CD-DA, CD-G, CD-ROM XA, CD-I, CD-I Bridge, CD-I Ready and Video CD disc formats; and conforms to Red Book and Yellow Book standards. The drive can also be used as an independent audio CD player when disconnected from the computer.
The XM-3801B drive was designed with a tray-loading disc mechanism and an emergency eject button as standard features. Plus, a media-removal prevention function ensures that CDs cannot be ejected during read operations.
The new XM-3801B is an internal drive that measures only 1.62(h) x 5.69(w) x 7.41(d) inches and weighs only 1.98 pounds. The drive's power consumption is a low 0.5 watts standby and 6.9 watts average.
The XM-3801B has a suggested list price of $290. The TXM-3801 is also available, and has a suggested list price of $395. Both are available beginning December 1996.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with approximate annual sales of $3 billion, TAIS is comprised of seven divisions which manufacture and market a wide range of business and information-oriented products in the United States. Products include portable and desktop computers, DVD-ROM drives, CD-ROM drives, disk drives, plain paper copiers, facsimile systems, digital key telephones and PBX systems, voice mail systems and toner products.
TAIS is an independent operating company, owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $53.8 billion Toshiba Corporation, the fifth largest computer and electronics manufacturer, and the world's 36th largest corporation in terms of sales. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high-technology products with 173 major consolidated subsidiaries worldwide.
The TAIS Disk Products Division markets a wide range of industry-standard Winchester, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives in the United States. For additional product information, contact Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Disk Products Division, 9740 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618-1697; telephone (714) 457-0777, or on the World Wide Web at: http://www.tais.com/taisdpd/ or http://www.toshiba.com.
