Plextor announces Blu-Ray/DVD drive combo, PX-B920SA, PX-B300SA

Just in time for the conclusion of the DVD format wars with Blu-ray disc finally emerging as the new standard disc format, Plextor has decided to finally release its two new Blu-ray drives – the PX-B920SA and PX-B300SA. But to give customers the freedom to choose which format they would want to use when viewing high-definition video, Plextor has kept the HD DVD support.

The PX-B920SA being the high-end model of the two drives support fast Blu-Ray recording with a speed of 4X BD-R. That is equivalent to 18 MB/sec transfer rate. For single layer and double-layer media, the PX-B920SA runs on 2X BD-RE or 9 MB/sec transfer rate. For DVD purposes, the PX-B920SA runs at 16X on single-layer media and 4X on both double-layer and dual-layer media with 5X DVD-RAM. The PX-B920SA also support various models of DVD+RW, DVD-ROM, CD-RW and even CD-ROM. This drive also comes with Lightscribe for direct disc laser printing and some other software.

The other Plextor BD drive is the less expensive PX-B300SA. Unlike the PX-B920SA, this drive doesn’t record on Blu-Ray disc, but only on DVD and CD media. But it reads with the same speed as the PX-B920SA for Blu-Ray, HD DVD and CDs. It also comes with Lightscribe and several video management software.

Both Plextor Blu-Ray drives will be in stores by the end of March and will sell for $599 and $499.

Via [Engadget HD] Read [Business Wire]