August 22, 2001 

TOSHIBA INTRODUCES MULTI-READ OPTICAL STORAGE PRODUCTS TO MEET DIVERSE RANGE OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS MOBILE COMPUTING NEEDS

Storage technology leader increases mobile computer functionality with new slim-line drives that read multiple formats

IRVINE, Calif, Toshiba America Electronic Components (TAEC), Storage Device Division (SDD) today announced the upgrade of its industry leading slim-line combination CD-RW/DVD-ROM product and the introduction of DVD-ROM drives with DVD-RAM media read capabilities. These new optical introductions are designed to meet the array of consumer and business storage applications required for today's multimedia computing environment.

Toshiba was the first storage supplier to introduce a slim-line combination CD-RW/DVD-ROM product, which is now available with a fast-writing speed of 8X for CD-R/CD-RW when high-speed CD-RW media is used and 8X read for DVD-ROM. With the addition of DVD-RAM media read to its line of DVD-ROM drives, Toshiba is providing its customers with drives that read multiple DVD media types to best meet the needs of the mobile computer user .

“Ultimately computer users will decide which storage medium works for their unique applications," said Maciek Brzeski, vice president of marketing at Toshiba SDD. "Since consumer and business users have very different requirements, our focus is to furnish mobile computer manufacturers with the right storage solutions to meet their customers' diverse needs.”

Toshiba's DVD-ROM with DVD-RAM media read drives enable the business user to access large DVD-RAM back-up files on their mobile systems, while the slim combination drive creates the benefits of both rewritable CD and the ability to read DVD media in a mobile environment. Given the space constraints in a notebook computer, the combination drive provides a cost-effective option to write and share CD files, while also allowing users to enjoy DVD movies or access large DVD data files and resource software. 

The SD-R2102 slim-line combination drive begins shipping in August. The SD-C2512 slim-line DVD-ROM with DVD-RAM media read is currently available in volume production to mobile PC manufacturers . 

Toshiba SDD will begin mass production of the new HDD family in July.

Product outline: SD-C2512 8X DVD-ROM with DVD-RAM Media Read (DVD-ROM 8X; DVD-RAM 2X; CD-ROM 24X)

Applicable Disc Formats	DVD: DVD-ROM (DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-18), DVD-R*, DVD-RAM (Supports 12 cm 2.6GB/4.7GB and 8 cm 1.4GB DVD-RAM media) CD: CD-DA, CD+(E)G, CD-MIDI, CD-TEXT, CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I, CD-I Bridge (Photo-CD, Video-CD), Multisession CD (Photo-CD, CD-EXTRA, CD-R, CD-RW)CD-R (read), CD-RW (read) *does not support CPRM
Interface	ATAPI
ATAPI	DVD-ROM: 95ms CD-ROM: 90ms DVD-RAM: 120ms
Continuous Data Transfer Rate	DVD-ROM : 10,820KB/sec max (8X) CD-ROM: 3,600KB/sec max (24X) DVD-RAM: 2,704KB/sec max (2X)
Buffer Capacity	512KB
MTBF	60,000 hours

Toshiba Storage Device Division
TAEC Storage Device Division (SDD) leads the market in the development, design and manufacturing of DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, slim CD-R/RW, combination CD-RW/ DVD-ROM, 1.8-inch hard disk drives and 2.5-inch hard disk drives. Toshiba SDD 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 that has established Toshiba products as worldwide leade.

About TAEC
TAEC offers the industry's broadest line-up of semiconductor, display and storage solutions for the computing, wireless, networking and digital consumer markets. Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings advanced next-generation technologies to its OEM customers.

TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $54 billion (FY 1999 recorded sales) Toshiba Corp., the second largest semiconductor company worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2000. Toshiba Corp. is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's Web site at chips.toshiba.com. For technical inquiries, please email Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com.

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