AfterDawn: News

Plextor introduces dual format HD drives

Plextor made a surprising announcement today when it introduced two dual-format HD optical drives, the B920SA and B300SA, both of which can read Blu-ray and HD DVD discs.

Although the HD DVD format is now obsolete, the new drives gives owners a chance to watch their HD DVD titles on a computer while also allowing them to make way for Blu-ray.



The B920SA can burn 25GB BD discs at up to 4X speed and can write CDs and DVDs at 16x. The B300SA cannot write Blu-ray discs but can read at a relatively fast 6X speed. Both drives connect through Serial ATA and will ship in March for $450 USD and $600 USD respectively. Each drive comes bundled with movie playback, burning, and editing software for Windows systems.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 24 Mar 2008 21:12

• Previous article

• Netflix service disrupted by tech problems

• Next article

• Quanta and ooVoo team up for HD chat system for HDTVs

• 7 comments

• ripxrush

  I was just looking @ those last night! but recently hearing that they no longer make there own drives i am a little disappointed! i heard NEC chip's in them with Phillips hardware for everything else?! if not correct please correct me!

  24.3.2008 21:21 #1

• rayals

  I too heard that they no longer produce their own. That worries me. Is my PLX 760A DL DVDRW a Plextor or not?

  24.3.2008 21:47 #2

• ripxrush

  LOL thats the same drive i have! (among 45 older ones that only do cd burning)I think that when i bought this drive initially i was a little disappointed because i was using a No name EMPREX (bought for $%) @ local FRY'S) & didn't notice any real upgrade over that!

  25.3.2008 01:37 #3

• ZoSoIV

  ripxrush, there normal drives not HD/Blu Ray are Pioneer drives with NEC chipsets. I'm sure Plextor is jobbing theses drives out to but i haven't heard any info yet on who's making them.
  
  
  rayals, yes the PX-760A you have is a true Plextor, matter of fact its the last true Plextor drive made.
  
  heres a screen shot to prove there Pioneer drives from anydvd , my PX-810SA sata drive
  
  
  
  

  
  

  25.3.2008 03:17 #4

• rayals

  That is a relief to know. I also checked my drive using AnyDvd and you are correct. Mine does not say Pioneer or anything else. I purchased it last year from Tiger for something like $80 with a $30 rebate. It was a great deal. Thank You for your reply.

  25.3.2008 08:04 #5

• 7thsinger

  Quote:will ship in March for $450 USD and $600 USD respectivelyThat's still pretty salty.

  25.3.2008 08:16 #6

• windsong

  25G single layer blu-ray discs??
  
  Where are the freakin 50G discs??

  25.3.2008 14:05 #7