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Today, CDRLabs brings you an in depth look at I-O DATA's new Blu-ray Disc writer, the BRD-AM2B/U. Based on the Panasonic SW-5582, the BRD-AM2B/U supports both single and dual layer BD-R and BD-RE media, giving it the ability to store up to 50GB of data or four hours worth of HD video onto a single disc. I-O DATA's new drive can also be used to play Blu-ray Disc movies and can read and write to all major CD and DVD formats, including DVD-RAM.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the BRD-AM2B/U and see how it compares to the Pioneer BDR-101A. Does I-O DATA's Blu-ray Disc writer have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

[url=http://www.cdrlabs.com/reviews/index.php?reviewid=290]
I-O DATA BRD-AM2B/U Blu-ray Disc Writer[/url]

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No BD-RDL media was tested

dolphinius_rex wrote:No BD-RDL media was tested

Yeah, they'll probably be in the next review. I was only able to score one disc and I didn't feel that by itself was a good example.

Wow, cool! It can actually play Blu-Ray discs, too!

Hey, Sony! You listening?






...Guess not.

The Sony can too. That was just a case of irresponsible reporting.

Hmm. I remember seeing a bunch of articles saying it could only play back user-created (non-copy protected) discs.

So it can actually play real movies, huh? Can it do 50GB discs, too?

The guy that wrote the article really twisted Sony's words. What Sony said was that people probably won't be able to play back BD movies because most computers don't have HDCP complaint video cards or monitors yet.

From what I've heard, it will do 50GB discs. In fact, I think its based on the Panasonic SW-5582 just like the I-O DATA.

Nice review, Ian. One question : The DVD+R SL write times..5:45 for 8X write on a Yuden002? Shouldn't it be more like 8:45? Your table shows ~6 min write times at 8X..

Bhairav wrote:Nice review, Ian. One question : The DVD+R SL write times..5:45 for 8X write on a Yuden002? Shouldn't it be more like 8:45? Your table shows ~6 min write times at 8X..

Sorry about that. I forgot to enter the times. They're up there now.

Nice one Ian.

I-O Data Japan will be releasing an update for WinDVD BD in October that will allow the drive to play commercial Blu-ray Disc movies. I-O Data USA has said that they'll make the update available soon as well.

http://www.iodata.jp/news/2006/09/brplay_env.htm

The WinDVD BD update is available on the Japanese website:

http://www.iodata.jp/lib/doc/windvd_bd/index.htm