Toshiba DVD SD-R5272

If you haven't already clambered aboard the recordable DVD bandwagon then you're surely looking to hop on at the first opportunity. The trouble from the consumer's perspective is that the world of DVD-writing is a mess: there are numerous competing but incompatible standards from dozens of manufacturers. That much is old news.

Fortunately, most companies acknowledge the insanity of this situation and the trend is now for the manufacture of drives that can support multiple recordable DVD formats. The latest firm to mouth the all-formats mantra is Toshiba. Did we say all formats? Well, almost all.

The company's DVD SD-R5272 drive will read all recordable DVD formats, whether it's DVD-R, DVD+RW or DVD-RAM (though the latter must be of the type not housed in a protective caddy). However, with regards to writing to DVD media, the SD-R5272 turns its nose up at DVD-RAMs - but don't consider this any great hardship.

When it comes to the more popular recordable DVD formats, the drive will write at eight-speed (8x) to DVD-R/+R discs, while rewrite operations to DVD-RW/+RW media are carried out at four-speed. Naturally, the SD-R5272 will also write data to recordable CDs (at up to 32-speed). With Pinnacle's Instant CD/DVD thrown in to help you burn discs, this is a great-value buy.

Contact: Toshiba 0800 169 4527
www.toshiba.co.uk