Pioneer New Media Technologies Inc. today announced the industry’s first 16x (max.) DVD-ROM drive, “Sweet 16.” As with its introduction of the 10x drive, Pioneer is again the first to bring the fastest DVD-ROM drive to market. Offering speeds that are 16 times faster than first generation DVD-ROM technology, the 16x DVD-ROM/40x CD-ROM is compatible with single and dual layer DVD-ROM and DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA, Video CD and Photo CD media, preserving compatibility with conventional CD formats.

Pioneer’s most advanced drive to date, the 16x DVD-ROM offers random seek times of less than 85 msec for DVD-ROM (70 msec for CD-ROM), access times less than 95 msec (80 msec for CD-ROM), ATAPI interface and horizontal or vertical mounting capabilities. Pioneer’s DVD-ROM drive features a 512 KB buffer memory, audio output, a front panel headphone jack and volume control knob. Compatible with the Windows 9X Plug and Play standard, the drive is easy to install and use. The 5.25-inch half-height drive measures 148×207.5×42.3mm (WxDxH) and weighs 1.0 kg. The current version (DVD-115) features a tray-load and will be available in March 2000 through OEM and distribution channels. The slot-load (DVD-105S) version will be available in April 2000.