LITEON IT Corporation, the world's leader in optical storage solutions, announces the fastest DVD rewriting technology: 8x DVD+RW & 6x DVD-RW drives. This technology has been implemented into the new LITEON ATAPI/E-IDE 16x DVD Dual drives.

The SOHW-1673S is the next LITEON product that supports Double Layer media. This drive benefits both consumers and professionals in need of ample, yet cost-effective storage solutions. The SOHW-1673S is an excellent solution for audio enthusiasts seeking to archive more songs and video-files. With this product you'll find a way to easily store more digital content.

The SOHW-1673SX is the external (peripheral) version, which will also be launched soon and will offer an integrated USB 2.0 port for easy, flexible connectivity, and is ideal for users 'on the go'.

The Double Layer SOHW-1673S & SOHW-1673SX drives allow users to record up to four hours of high-quality MPEG-2 video or up to 8.5GB of data, music and/or images on compatible DVD+R DL media. Consumers can store more than 2,000 songs, which is the equivalent of 7 days of music, or four hours of high quality video on one Double Layer disc. A Double Layer disc can also hold up to 17,000 JPEG files or up to 17 hours of VHS quality video.

DVD Features: SOHW-1673S & SOHW-1673SX drives possess an onboard 2MB buffer and utilize Lite-On patented cutting-edge technologies:

* SMART-BURN for optimizing the quality of each burn,

* SMART-X for setting the optimum speed of operation and

* FDSS (Floating Double Suspension System) for reducing noise and vibration.

The key performance specifications of each drive are achieved with supported media only.

Compatibility: This drive supports Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating environments.

Availability: Available form a wide variety of retail and e-tail outlets RRP £65.

Software: The SOHW-1673S & SOHW-1673SX drives bundle an impressive assortment of DVD authoring software and recording applets for creation of data, music, and video discs, including Ahead's Nero Express 6, Nero Vision Express, and PowerDVD from Cyberlink. For sheer simplicity and power, these applications are ideally suited to meet a wide range of consumer requirements for the creation and playback of DVDs, VCDs, and SVCDs.

Extra Bezel Set: From May 2005 consumers will find the 1673S comes with both a white and a black bezel set. Now people can easily adjust the color of the drive to their PC !

About LITEON IT: Floated on the Taiwan stock exchange in 2001 and founded in 1995, Taipei-based LITEON IT have grown to become the Worlds 4th largest optical device manufacturer, setting the standard in providing CD/DVD players and recorders in both the consumer and PC markets. Recognized for their cutting-edge technology and quality, LITEON IT have consistently delivered a range of superior performance, cutting-edge, quality ODD products into the consumer electronics sector and won supply contracts with many leading PC manufacturers such as Dell see http://www.liteonit.com for further information.