Date: March 2003

RICOH announces the MP5240A-DP DVD+RW/+R Drive - The Speed Champion !

Ricoh is pleased to announce the new MP5240A-DP - a High-Speed DVD+RW/+R writer combining high read- and write- speed, ease of use and the highest level of compatibility with DVD players and DVD ROM drives. The high speed of this drive is achieved because the Ricoh MP5240A-DP writes DVD+RW and DVD+R at 4x speed – the new generation standard from Ricoh.

The DVD+RW/+R format also contains the international CD-R/RW standard. DVD+RW/+R is accepted as the global standard because of its excellent compatibility with existing DVD players and DVD ROM drives, its ease of use and its reliability. The DVD+RW video recording format DVD+VR allows inserting, processing and deleting of video data on a blank DVD while retaining compatibility. These unique advantages of DVD+RW/+R are based on ”Lossless Linking” Technology, which enables data to be written with exact precision.
The Ricoh MP5240A -DP already supports the new DVD+RW/+R high-speed standard.

Features and Benefits

- Extremely short write times due to 4x write speed with DVD+RW and DVD+R – corresponding to 36x speed with CD-R/RW.
- 4 GB data storage volume in just under twelve minutes.
- Precision control of the write impulses through a new digital chip controller, numerous improvements to the analogue processor chip range, strengthening the output signals of the 2LD-1 Lens.
- Faster CD functions: 24x write CD-R, 10x rewrite CD-RW and 40x read CD.

Excellent compatibility with DVD players and DVD ROM drives

DVD-ROMs and self-recorded DVD videos can be quickly and simply created using the software supplied with the device. These can be played on almost all existing DVD players and DVD ROM drives. By doing this, the DVD+R offers an even higher level of compatibility which is retained even when inserting data on DVD+RW.

With the unique DVD+VR video format, video clips can be easily added, altered or deleted to DVD+RW whilst retaining compatibility. Recording and file conversion take place simultaneously during writing to DVD+RW, thereby reducing substantially the time required for the creation of a DVD.

Ease of Use

Intelligent background formatting reduces the format time required to write a DVD+RW to approx. one minute. When a DVD+RW is being used for the first time, only the section of the DVD+RW required for the start of the recording is formatted. Background formatting then automatically deals with the formatting process when the drive is not carrying out a writing and reading process.

The various DVD+RW and DVD+R media cover all areas of data storage use in the best possible way. Therefore the DVD+RW with its high compatibility is ideal for video data processing as well as for regular hard drive backups. Thanks to the even higher compatibility and favourable media costs, DVD+Rs are especially suitable for data exchange or data storage in cases where deletion of data at a later stage is neither desired nor required.

Solid construction for perfect burning processes

Long term safety and reliability in daily use were important conditions during the construction of the new Ricoh MP5240A -DP. The sealed construction of the writer casing thus prevents dust infiltration. Due to reduced heat generation, an additional ventilator is unnecessary. An integrated impact sensor provides reliable recognition of bumps and dips in blank DVDs and therefore automatically ensures that the laser is precisely aligned to the surface of the DVD. In addition, a high-precision pulse motor ensures both exact track maintenance when using DVD+RW/+R media as well as a lower noise level.

Buffer under run errors are avoided thanks to ”Lossless-Linking” Technology, whereby data is continuously written with the precision of less than one micrometer.

Integrated support of Mt. Rainier and DVD+R Multi-Session-Recording

The Ricoh MP5240A -DP has already been adapted to the Mt. Rainier DVD+MRW and CD-MRW standard. When the new operating systems with Mt. Rainier functions come onto the market, the MP5240A-DP will be able to write DVD+RW and CD-RW simply and efficiently, even without special burning software. In addition, the MP5240A-DP supports DVD+R Multi-Session-Recording. With the increase in multi-session DVD players, the MP5240A-DP provides even more advantages when writing to DVD+R. By taking into consideration these forward-thinking technologies, Ricoh offers the user the greatest possible long-term investment.

Complete software package ensures large application spectrum

The comprehensive software package bundled with the Ricoh MP5240A -DP, allows the user to exploit the advantages of the DVD+RW/+R formats to their full extent from the very beginning.
- The Ricoh MP5240A-DP includes NeoDVD™ 4.5 standard software from MedioStream, which allows the simple creation of DVD-Videos. It supports writing in DVD+VR format and, with full compatibility, the insertion, deletion and processing of video data. Direct recording of television programmes and direct copying of videocassettes is also possible.
- DVD processing and DVD playback software are also part of the Ricoh MP5240A-DP total package.
- Write software ”Track to Disk™” from Roxio is included making data storage on CD-R/RW or DVD+RW/+R as easy as using a floppy or internal hard disc drive. This software already supports the next DVD-Recording-Generation DVD+MRW and CD-MRW.
- WinOnCD 6.0® from Roxio is included for the creation and writing of DVD-ROMs in different formats for CD-ROM. Music CDs can also be written.

New Ricoh Media for the DVD+RW/+R High-Speed-Technology 4x

The new Ricoh media being launched with the MP5240A -DP, are perfectly coordinated both in speed and precision to the high requirements of the current DVD+RW/+R High-Speed Burn Technology. Their unique combination of materials ensures a high degree of reliability when burning DVD+RW/+R from 1x up to 4x speed. At the same time these media offer a high degree of compatibility with the existing DVD-ROM-drives and DVD players as well as excellent durability. The new Ricoh DVD+RW and DVD+R media are available not only for data but also for video storage in traditional Jewel cases or in practical video boxes.

Suggested selling price for the complete Ricoh MP5240A-DP kit incl. burner, assembly components, software package and media is £249.99.

Available from April 2003 in retail outlets.