Following the release of the BDR-101A writer, the second Blu-Ray DVD burner from the Japanese company will support recording of BD-R/RE, DVD recordable/rewritable and also "legacy" CD-Rs. The drive will retail later this year.

Pioneer announced the release of the BDR-101A Blu-Ray writer last month and promising recording on BD-R/RE (2X), DVD-R/+R (8X), DVD+R DL (2.4x), DVD-R DL (2x) and DVD-RW/+RW (4X) media. Pioneer plans to supply the drive to its OEM partners first and later it will also begin to supply the Aftermarket.

The official press release for the BDR-101A writer noted that the OEM suplies would start late January, although the specific dates would be dependant upon the BDA's (Blu-Ray Disc Association) progress, in the conclusion of the "Blu-ray Disc format logo license" and also the finalization of the "copyright protection technology license" for Blu-ray, which is also known as the "Grand Schedule".

These procedures will be more likely concluded in a few weeks, giving the green light to OEMs to release Pioneer-based writers, and Pioneer to proceed with the Aftermarket releases. So currently, the exact release dates for the drive cannot be specified, although a rough estimation would lead to a retail release of the Pioneer drive some time in March.

Note that the BDA has already completed the specifications for the BD-ROM, BD-RE and BD-R formats on January 2, 2006. The approved specifications include both single (25GB) and dual (50GB) layer discs. (see story).

Pioneer's triple writer, the BD-R102A will follow the release of the BDR-101A, and it is expected to offer increased read/write-speeds as well as support for the CD format (read/write). Although the exact specifications as well as the release date for the drive cannot be currently disclosed, it is expected in the 2Q of 2006.

Story filed 15.01.06