TDK Electronics is kicking CD burning up a notch with new additions to its veloCD line. The company has introduced several new FireWire-based CD-RW models, which include Mac-compatible software.
TDK has introduced its first portable veloCD model — a 24x CD-RW system that can also rewrite at 10x and read or rip discs at up to 40x. It measures 7-inches long, 5.5-inches wide and 1.25-inches deep and weighs about a pound. The FE-241040X model features FireWire connectivity, and works with both Macs and PCs. Another model — the FE-241040 — features similar performance characteristics but is an external desktop CD-RW model.
The company has also introduced the FE-321040 — a 32x burner, which, like its 24x counterpart, also rewrites at 10x and rips CDs at up to 40x. Although the company makes the device in FireWire, USB 2.0 and ATAPI variations, only the FireWire system comes equipped with Mac software.
As with just about all high-speed burners on the market, TDK’s models feature buffer underrun protection, which eliminates the likelihood the drive with burn a CD “coaster” — a useless CD that was isn’t useable because the drive ran out of data during the mastering process.
The desktop and portable 24x FireWire CD burners are expected to be released in November and December respectively. The 32x FireWire unit will ship in February. All Mac-compatible drives will ship with Roxio Toast CD mastering software. Prices on the new units were not immediately available.