April 12, 1999

Toshiba Continues Optical Technology Leadership With 6X DVD-ROM Drive

Improved Data Reads and Access Times Provide Users with Increased Performance and Faster Access to Information

IRVINE, Calif., April 12, 1999 - The Disk Products Division of Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC), Inc., today announced their next generation DVD-ROM drive, the 6X-max SD-M1212. Toshiba continues to build upon optical leadership and current DVD technology to increase user benefits and offer competitive product lines.

"As a leader in DVD technology, Toshiba has the expertise and reputation that allow us to constantly push the envelope with technological advancements," said Maciek Brzeski, vice president, marketing, TAEC Disk Products Division. "We are uniquely positioned to continually enhance our product line, bringing to market the advancements and technologies today's users crave."

To provide users with faster access to data, Toshiba has incorporated an improved pick up head and newly-developed digital signal processor into the SD-M1212. These technology improvements have decreased access times to less than 110ms and seek times to less than 80ms, enabling high-speed digital transactions and access to computer applications. Data transfers are efficiently optimized through the drive's 256K buffer and the use of Constant Angular Velocity technology to minimize user wait time between commands.

The SD-M1212 provides transfer rates six times that of first generation drives: 6X speed playback for DVD-ROM (8,112 KB/sec.), and a full 32X speed maximum playback for CD-ROM (4,800KB/sec.). In Ultra DMA mode, a specification recommended as part of the PC 98 System Design Guide, the drive offers burst transfer rates of 33.3MB/sec.

DVD drives are used for a diverse array of applications, and are quickly replacing CD-ROM drives to become the standard optical storage device in the computer industry. With increased storage capacities, heightened video and audio playback, and faster access to data, some of the most popular applications for DVD-ROM today are gaming, interactive software, software distribution and data storage. DVD-ROM drives are backward compatible with all CD technology and have a planned growth path that will lead to future generations of DVD products to support users' future needs.

Pricing and Availability
The SD-M1212 will be sold primarily to OEMs and system integrators. The drives have a suggested list price of $149.99 and will begin shipping in volume in April 1999.

Disk Products Division
Disk Products Division leads the market in the development, design and manufacturing of DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM and CD-ROM drives and 2.5-inch hard disk drives. TAEC Disk Products Division markets high quality peripherals to original equipment manufacturers, value-added resellers, value-added dealers, systems integrators and distributors in the United States. Inherent in the company's product line is the high-quality engineering and manufacturing which has established Toshiba products as worldwide leaders.

About Toshiba
Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) is the North American design, manufacturing, marketing and sales arm of Toshiba Corporation, a global technology innovator. TAEC is recognized as a leading supplier of semiconductor, electronic component and storage solutions. The company delivers technology solutions that enable OEMs to develop advanced integrated products for the computing, networking, communications and digital consumer markets. In fact, its technology offerings account for more than 30 percent of the total possible components used in desktop and portable computers. By continuing to develop leading-edge solutions that cost-effectively meet the emerging needs of the design engineering community, TAEC keeps its customers in touch with tomorrow. For additional information, please visit TAEC's web site at, http://www.toshiba.com/taec.

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