Pioneer USA Shipping BDC-202 Blu-ray Drive

[Ian]

PIONEER BLU-RAY DISC DRIVE WITH MULTI-FORMAT READING AND WRITING NOW AVAILABLE TO PROFESSIONAL USERS

Bringing High-Definition Blu-ray Disc Playback to Distribution Channel

LONG BEACH ­ (September 21, 2007) ­ Pioneer Electronicnics (USA) Inc. is now shipping the BDC-202, the professional Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD combination drive. The BDC-202 BD-ROM and DVD/CD writer offers industry-leading engineering as well as Blu-ray Disc playback, DVD authoring and is optionally packaged with Corel® media software for enhanced functionality. The BDC-202 continues Pioneer's long track record of providing innovative, dependable computer drives for professional content creators and is now available to discerning creative professionals.

"For industry professionals and enthusiasts seeking to play high definition Blu-ray Disc movie titles on a PC in addition to writing to DVD and CD, the Pioneer BDC-202 combination drive functions as an all in one, high-value solution," said Andy Parsons, senior vice president at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

High Definition Playback
The newly designed drive offers playback of high definition Hollywood Blu-ray Disc movie titles on a properly configured PC. The BDC-202 internal Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD combo drive also allows users to access and transfer data files onto DVD and CD. It reads BD-ROM, BD-R, and BD-RE single layer discs up to 5x speed and dual layer BD-ROM, BD-R, and BD-RE discs up to 2x speed. It will also read and write to most DVD and CD formats. The BDC-202 features a Serial ATA (SATA) Interface and ships with an optional, full-featured Corel media software suite. The software suite includes Blu-ray Disc playback software as well as enhanced functionality to design personalized DVD movies, create digital photo slideshows, burn music files to CD, backup files to DVD and CD, and more.

The BDC-202 is available in beige or black through distribution at Bell Micro, Broadfield, D&H, PLPC, SED, and Samtack.

Pioneer has been an innovator of optical disc technology since it brought LaserDisc, the precursor to DVD, to market in 1980. Pioneer went on to introduce the first DVD writer for computer use in 1997, the first DVD recorder as a VCR replacement in 1999, the first DVD/CD writer for home computer users in 2001 and the first Blu-ray Disc writer in 2006. Pioneer Corporation is one of the Blu-ray Disc Founders.

Pioneer's Home Entertainment and Business Solutions Group develops high definition home theater equipment for sports and entertainment junkies. Its flat panel televisions, Blu-ray Disc players, A/V receivers and speakers heighten the emotions created by great HD content. The company brands include Pioneer and Elite. When purchased from an authorized retailer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer products and two years with Elite products. More details can be located at www.pioneerelectronics.com.

[Ian]

It looks a lot nicer than the fugly BDC-2202.

[MediumRare]

While Pioneer did not specify a price, the BDC-202 is already available online and can be picked up for less than $280.

I thought I'd seen this somewhere already, and sure enough: a quick look at alternate shows it in stock since late June- and for € 209 (bilk, though), which is pretty close to the price you mentioned.

I'm surprised that this drive has actually been available in Europe for a couple of months. Usually you get all the good stuff earlier and way cheaper than we do.

G
(who wont buy one anyway)

[Ian]

We got the BDC-2202 about the same time Europe got the BDC-202.

Now that I look at it, the BDC-202 and BDC-2202 are identical. From what I can gather, the BDC-2202 is a full retail kit where the BDC-202 is being sold as OEM. That explains why they didn't provide a price.