CenDyne Inc. today announced the pending release of a new external high-speed CD-RW for both PCs and Macs. The drive utilizes FireWire for its interface, and sports a mechanism that can burn CD-Rs at 24x, write CD-RW discs at 10x, and read CD-ROMs at 40x.
The new drive uses buffer underrun protection to help minimize the likelihood the drive and its CD mastering software will run out of data — when that happens, the CD-R is often ruined, creating a “coaster.” The drive’s performance means that users can write a 650MB CD-R in as little as four minutes. It sports an average access time of 120ms.
CenDyne said the new FireWire CD-RW includes Roxio’s Toast CD mastering software, as well as CD-R media, a FireWire interface cable and an AC power adapter.
The drive carries a suggested retail price of US$299, and will be available in mid-August at Amazon.com, Buy.com, Creative Computers, Fry’s, MicroCenter, and RadioShack.com. The drive is also being distributed to retailers through Ingram Micro.