Hitachi's GF-1050 DVD-RAM drive is being supported by Seagate Backup Exec Desktop 98, and is being pitched as a replacement for low-end tape systems, and other forms of portable media.
The drive allows a capacity of 2.6GB per disk side, with a rate of 1.38MB/sec in DVD-RAM mode. Full compatibility is being claimed with other DVD and CD formats (DVD-R, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW).
Hitachi says it sees a strong market for DVD-RAM to replace DAT and Travan tape drives, with quick access time (200ms).
Seagate Backup Exec Desktop 98 offers Emergency Recovery, catalogue/file find, scheduling, enhanced device support, file specification, and Win95/98 Plug and Play features.
The Hitachi GF-1050 should be available from mid October for $1929 RRP. Seagate Backup Exec Desktop 98 is available for an estimated street price of $180. Verbatim estimates the cost of removable media at $70 for 2.6GB and $120 for 5.2GB discs.
Contact Hitachi at (02) 9888 4100.
