NEC officially announces the world's 1st Labelflash DVD writers

NEC officially announces the world's 1st Labelflash DVD writers
Posted by Seán Byrne on 21 November 2005 - 08:28 - Source: NEC - Press Releases
http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/12716
The well known PC DVD writer manufacturer, NEC, has just launched the world's first DVD writers featuring Labelflash technology, which will become available in December. Like LightScribe, Labelflash also uses the drive's laser to write labels to the top side of compatible DVD media.



Unlike adhesive labelling or other label printing methods, the actual label created using Labelflash is 0.6mm below the surface, which protects it against scratches, smudging or even peeling away in the case with adhesive labels. However as Labelflash uses a different technology than LightScribe media, the user will need to ensure they use Labelflash compatible media with these drives if they wish to create labels.



The two new NEC Labelflash drives include the ND-4551A and the ND-3551A. Both support write speeds of 16x for DVD±R, 8x for DVD+R DL & DVD+RW, 6x for DVD-R DL & DVD-RW and 48x CD-R. The ND-4551A also supports DVD-RAM with a read & write speed of 5x. Both drives take 7 minutes to write a draft label or up to 27 minutes to write a high quality label. Thanks to our reviewer & moderator Dee-27 for using our news submit to let us know about the following news:


Multi drives with DVD-RAM – all formats in one

For the first time NEC`s wide range of new drives will not only support DVD +R(W) and DVD-R(W) but also DVD-RAM.

NEC's ND-4551A burner is a genuine multitalent: DVD minus and DVD plus media are written at up to 16x DVD speed, while rewritable (DVD +RW) and double-layer DVDs (DVD +R9) are written at up to 8x DVD speed. DVD-RW and DVD-R DL are processed at 6x speed. 5x speed applies for DVD-RAMs. As a read drive, the burner delivers 16x DVD, 5x DVD RAM and 48x CD speed. NEC will also be marketing a lower cost model without Labelflash™, the ND-4550A, which has the same write and read speeds as the ND-4551A.

The two new DVD burners ND-3551A (with Labelflash™) and ND-3550A (without Labelflash™) are also available in two further versions which do not support DVD-RAM.

The full press release can be read here.

As Labelflash drives requires Labelflash compatible media in order to write labels on the disc using the drive, it will make choosing the ideal media more tricky, since not only does one have to decide on the brand of media, but also the type of label-side it has, which will include inkjet printable, LightScribe, Labelflash and standard (which would require an adhesive label). Combine these with + & - versions as well as possibly double/dual layer media and write speeds and that makes a lot of combinations of DVD media to choose from, not to mention the disc quality.

Dee-27 wrote: At last these new drives have been announced. I personally can"t wait to get hold of one of them.

Feel free to discuss and find out more about NEC DVD writers on our NEC DVD Burner forum.