News Release：Pioneer Introduces An industry First DVD-R DriveAnd DVD-R Disc ,complied with The Forum Standard Version 1.0.

Tokyo, Japan, September 29, 1997 --- Pioneer Electronic Corporation and Pioneer Video Corporation announced the introduction of DVD-R Drive "DVR-S101" and DVD-R Disc "DVS-V3950S".

< Planning Concept >

The specifications of DVD-R (Recordable DVD) has been worked out by the DVD Forum so as to keep compatibility with other DVD disc formats (such as DVD-Video and DVD-ROM). The specifications, version 1.0 , has been finalized and a specifications booklet has been issued, based on the specifications, version 0.9 which was agreed upon within the Forum in April this year.

DVD-R is anticipated to fill demands for authoring use ( for example, pre-mastering discs and test discs to validate functionality of DVD-Video player and DVD-ROM drive). And also DVD-R will be useful for disc production in a small quantity such as industrial use discs, β edition and test discs for group validation of software.

Pioneer Electronic Corporation and Pioneer Video Corporation are introducing DVD-R drive and DVD-R disc, in compliance with the version 1.0 specifications, into the market first in industry in October.

Pioneer is also planning to expand its line-up of DVD-R Drives and has been challenging to develop an optical disc, which has much larger memory capacity and thus wider versatility for a use of data storage and data back-up.

< The Back Ground of the Development >

The primary objective of the development was to realize a highly reliable recording device and to reach this goal, Pioneer had developed in house key parts such as a optical head for recording and play back (which built in an infra-red semiconductor laser with high output and short wave length ) and dedicated LSI for this DVD-R drive.

As to DVS-V3950, DVD Disc, Pioneer took full advantage of expertise and know-how, obtained from long experiences in manufacturing LD, CD and DVD in developing molders and stampers on her own and completed the art of excellent production engineering technology for a highly condensed and ultra accurate production system. Furthermore, for disc itself, Pioneer adopted a newly developed organic dye material for the recording layer to secure high reliability of a disc.

< Main Features of DVD-R Drive "DVR-S101" >

1. An Industry First DVD-R disc drive for data recording and playback.
2. Recording format is compatible with DVD-Video and DVD-ROM.
3. Equipped with a industry standard, SCSI-2 interface.
4. Adopted a tray-type loading system for easy disc handling.

< Specifications of DVD-R Drive "DVR-S101" >

• Product Description : DVD-R drive Sub-system
• Applicable disc : DVD-R disc, complied with^* the format version 1.0.
• User Data Transfer Rate: 11.43Mbps ( Record/Playback )
• Data Buffer Capacity : 4MB
• Interface : SCSI-2
• Operating Voltage : 100 to 240V, 50/60Hz
• Dimensions(WxHxD) : 210 x 115 x 413mm
• Weight : 5.7kg

< Features of DVD-R disc "DVS-V3950S" >

1. 3.95GB, large memory capacity with as much as 6 times of CD-R or as many as 2,700pcs of floppy discs.
2. Thanks to Organic Dye, developed by Pioneer, it keeps high reliability against various recording circumstances.
3. Gold coated Reflection Layer achieves higher reflection ration.
4. High reliability, thanks to molders and stampers developed by Pioneer.
5. Handy writing disc label ( with oil-based felt-tip pen )

< Specifications of DVD-R Disc "DVS-V3950S" >

• Structure: 12cm single sided/single layered
• Storage Capacity : 3.95GB
• Materials; Disc material: Polycarbonated Resin
• Memory Layer: Organic Dye
  Reflection Layer: Gold
  Protective Layer: UV Resin

* The format Version 1, described as per ;
[DVD Specifications for Recordable Disc
Part 1 Physical Specifications Version 1.0
Part 2 File System Specifications Version 1.0]