Pioneer has today announced what it claims the smallest and lightest portable Blu-Ray, DVD and CD burner. The BDR-XD04 has a clamshell design and also supports the higher-capacity BDXL format, including the BD-R quad-layer 128GB media disc.
The burner measures only 5.2 x 0.55 x 5.2 inches, and is powered directly by USB. It does, however, have optional an AC power adapter terminal if your computer does not have enough power. In addition, it has an “Auto-Quiet Mode” where it minimises noise based on how it is being used; and the ability to adjust playback settings if a disc has minor scratches or fingerprints.
Bundled software includes CyberLink’s PowerDVD 10 BD3D, PowerDirector 9 and Power2Go 7. It will retail for $149.99 and be out in January. No word on an Australian release. Full press release can be found below.
Pioneer Offers Smallest and Lightest Portable BDXL BD/DVD/CD Burner
BDR-XD04 Reads and Writes Discs, PC Bundle Allows Users to Watch Blu-ray 3D Discs
LONG BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today unveiled the BDR-XD04, the world’s smallest and lightest BD/DVD/CD portable burner supporting BDXL™1 currently available. The ultra-compact clamshell type drive can read and write to all BDXL disc formats including BD-R triple-layer 100GB media, BD-R quad-layer 128GB media, and BD-RE triple-layer 100GB media, as well as conventional Blu-ray™ discs (single-layer 25GB media and dual-layer 50GB media). The portable device, measuring only 5.2” (W) X .55” (H) X 5.2” (D) and weighing a mere 8.46 ounces, also features PowerRead, PureRead2+, Auto Quiet mode and the ability to be powered directly via USB.
The BDR-XD04 also includes CyberLink® software, enabling users to watch standard Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D titles, and author high-definition Blu-ray Disc content or standard-definition DVD content.
“As the popularity of drive-less ultrabooks continues to rise, the BDR-XD04 becomes the ideal accessory because of its compact size and portability,” said Steven Cohn, director of Optical Sales for the Home Electronics Industrial Department at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “There’s a growing need for a drive that’s highly transportable for playing CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs, as well as for storing valuable personal files on a secure, removable medium.”
BDR-XD04 Advantages
- PowerRead – The BDR-XD04 can provide smoother movie playback when a disc has fingerprints or minor surface scratches through the use of its PowerRead feature. When the drive is not able to read through these obstructed areas of a disc, it will quickly move forward to the next available data point, resulting in smoother Blu-ray and DVD movie playback.
- PureRead2+ –Click or pop sounds that might normally occur due to minor scratches and fingerprints on CDs can be prevented on some discs with the drive’s PureRead2+ technology, which allows the drive to dynamically adjust its optical playback settings through the use of a unique algorithm.²
- Auto Quiet Mode – The drive also features an Auto Quiet mode that minimizes its operating noise based on how it is being used. The rotation speed changes to a quieter (slower) speed when watching Blu-ray and DVD titles or listening to conventional audio CDs.
- Direct USB Power – Designed for simple and easy integration, the BDR-XD04 can be powered directly through most USB PC connections without AC power. For additional convenience, when a host computer’s USB port does not supply enough current, the BDR-XD04 provides an AC adapter terminal (optional DCA-001 AC power supply required). In addition, the device supports USB boot startup for reading bootable recovery CDs3.
- Manual Eject Lever – The BDR-XD04 incorporates a manual eject lever which lets the user eject a loaded disc when power to the device is not available.
- Bundled Software – The BDR-XD04 is bundled with the following CyberLink software: PowerDVD™ 10 BD3D, PowerDirector® 9 and Power2Go® 7.
The Pioneer BDR-XD04 will be available mid January with a suggested retail price of $149.99