PRESS RELEASE - July 29, 2008

Lite-On introduces 22X Writer with
 SmartErase feature: An advanced technology to permanently erase data on a disc
 


Fremont, CA -  July 29, 2008 – Lite-On, proudly announces its new generation DVD writer with higher writing speeds and a unique data erasing feature for DVD±R (DL) and CD-R discs, the iHAP322.

By increasing the DVD writing speed to 22X, the Lite-On iHAP322 internal writer offers an up to date solution for those users who are looking for the fastest DVD writing speeds on the market. But what makes the iHAP322 stand out from the crowd is its capability to permanently erase the content of DVD±R (DL) and CD-R discs. Lite-On has developed the SmartErase technology to give users the possibility to permanently erase those discs that contained confidential data that should not be retrievable in any way.
 
How does it work? SmartErase overwrites the original data on the disc with random meaningless characters so that the original data can no longer be read by any drive. Once a disc is “SmartErased”, you don’t have to worry about someone accessing the confidential data that used to be stored on the disc. Where other “techniques” as shredding or breaking a disc, or throw it in the waste bin still have a potential risk of data recovering, SmartErase guarantees that data will be erased permanently.

“As consumers and business professionals have growing needs to protect confidential data,” said Christine Hsing, Marketing Manager at PLDS.  “SmartErase is an advanced technology to permanently erase data from discs, and users can rest assure that the private and sensitive data is securely erased and unable to recaptured.”

To make the technology easy to use, the SmartErase function will be implemented in Nero 7 Essentials, the software package that will be bundled with the Lite-On iHAP322. Users who want to erase their disc, can simply select the application in the Nero screen and can then choose between two erasing strategies:

  1. A “Quick Erase” only erases the information stored in the Lead-in area and data stored on the first track of the disc. As a result, a drive can not read the disc anymore, but with data recovery software there is a chance that some data can still be recovered from the parts of the disc that have not been overwritten.
  2. A “Full Erase” Overwrites the complete disc. It takes more time then a “Quick Erase”, but all the data will be permanently erased.  

There will be four flavors of 22X DVD writers with SmartErase functionality:

  1. the iHAP322 is a 22X DVD writer with PATA connection  MSRP $44.99
  2. the iHAP422 is a 22X DVD writer with PATA connection and LightScribe  MSRP $49.99
  3. the iHAS322 is a 22X DVD writer with SATA connection  MSRP  $49.99
  4. the iHAS422 is a 22X DVD writer with SATA connection and LightScribe   MSRP $59.99

The iHAP322 will be available in U.S. end of August, and other models will be available mid September 2008.

For more product information, please visit www.liteonit.com