Digital leader strengthens optical storage line up

Dubai, October 4, 2004 - Global and regional digital leader LG Electronics today announced the Middle East launch of its Super-Multi GSA-5120D external rewriter compatible with three DVD formats, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW and DVD RAM and all CD formats.

This is a global first since the DVD Forum established its two main complementary standards, DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM. The recorder can be used on both desktops and notebooks giving users ultimate versatility. By launching the world's first multi format DVD re-writer, global and regional digital leader LG Electronics has cemented its position in the optical storage device segment.

"With price reductions, greater availability and affordability of recording media, DVD writers are set to take over from CD writers. The fastest mass production, single-layered model available today allows you to do 12X recording on both DVD-R and DVD+R discs (which takes about 15 minutes for a full 4.36GB burn) and the LG Super Multi DVD rewriter can do that quite effortlessly," said P C Choi, President, LG Electronics Gulf FZE.

Like any other LG models from the Super Multi family, the latest GSA-5120D sports a dazzling array of feeds and speeds: 24X CD-RW, 40X CD-R, 12X DVD-R and 8X +R, 4X DVD-RW, and up to 3X DVD-RAM and lets you read and record DVD-RAM media at 5X. The essence of DVD-RAM support is the data portability with consumer audiovisual equipment rather than PC data storage and archival requirements. In case of a defect, the drive will write to another area on the disc, a defect on the disc does not stop the drive from writing and render the disc unusable.

Other features of the 12X Super Multi DVD Rewriter include 2MB buffer memory with buffer under run prevention technology, storage up to 4.7GB on a single DVD+R/+RW and DVD RAM disc and up to 8.5GB on a double layer DVD+R, and high speed host transfer. This is equivalent to more than seven times the amount of data accepted on a single CD-R and is ideal for back-ups of large data files.

"With dual-layer burning, you will write up to 8.5GB on the new double layer DVD+R9 media. Together with buffer under run protection and recording speed optimisation for each media type, this adds up to one super versatile drive suitable for any application," said Choi.

The Super-Multi drive is compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2K Professional, XP Home and XP Professional. Standard procedure can be followed for installing the GSA-5120D external drive. All cables are included in the bundle together with clear documentation in a five-language manual. Linux users can download the relevant drivers. The video manipulation suite handles video capture, file copying and editing, and burning of DVD-Video and VCD discs.

As a world leader in the optical storage segment, LG Electronics has introduced a fantastic range of optical storage devices including the portable GCC-5241P CD-RW/DVD-ROM slim drive, the high speed GCE-8525B 52X CD-Rewriter as well as the worlds first in Multi format DVD RW drives. LG, a member of the Blu-ray Disc Founders, is now developing the next generation of optical storage drives to lead the digital era. 

-Ends-     

Editor's notes:
About Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is a new generation optical disc format to store digital sound and video with high quality, jointly developed by ten companies leading optical disc technology, one of which is LG Electronics. Key applications of Blu-ray Disc, with its huge storage capacity, are recording and playback of high definition video. Blu-ray Disc is also suitable for a variety of applications including PC data storage.

As the format name indicates, a newly developed blue laser diode has been adopted, providing a storage capacity of 25 GB on a single-layered disc or 50 GB on a dual-layered disc with a 12 cm diameter (same size as CD and DVD). The data transfer rate reaches 36 Mbps (bit per second).

The performance of Blu-ray Disc will meet the market demand for the high definition TV world. The Blu-ray Disc can store and distribute more than four hours of high definition quality video, on a dual-layered rewritable, write-once and read-only disc.

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (Korea Stock Exchange: 066570.KR) was established in 1958 as the pioneer in the Korean consumer electronics market. The company is a major global force in electronics and information and communications products with more than 64,000 employees working in 76 overseas subsidiaries and marketing units around the world.  With annual total revenues of more than US $16.9 billion (non-consolidated), LG Electronics conducts its business in three main areas: Digital Display & Media, Digital Appliances, and Telecommunications Equipment & Handsets.

The LG Digital Display & Media Company provides core technologies for cutting-edge digital products and is a world leader in digital display products including plasma TVs, LCD TVs and monitors, and digital high-definition televisions (HDTV). The Digital Display & Media Company also provides digitally integrated products such as AV systems, optical storage, set-top boxes and home servers and is focusing on next-generation businesses such as home and mobile networks.

LG Electronics' goal is to enable the intelligent networking of digital products that will make consumers' lives better than ever. For more information, please visit www.lge.com

For more information, contact:
Hamad M. Malik                                                               Shilpa Mathai/Rana Bechara
Senior Regional Manager                                                   Polaris Public Relations             
Marketing & Corporate Communications                                Dubai, UAE
LGE Middle East & Africa Operations                                    Tel: +9714-3348522
Tel: +9714-3340066                                                         Fax: +9714-3341326
Fax: +9714-3370515                                                         Email: s.mathai@polaris-me.com
Email: hamad@lge.com                                                      Email: r.bechara@polaris-me.com

© Press Release 2004