Pioneer Blu-ray Disc Combination Computer Drive Arrives at Retail Stores

Bundled software expands disc writing capabilities for full featured performance

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is now shipping the highly anticipated BDC-2202 combination Blu-ray Disc® BD-ROM/DVD/CD computer drive to retail stores. The product can also be purchased online at pioneerelectronics.com.  The new drive comes bundled with Corel Corporation’s digital media software for playback of multiple Blu-ray Disc (BD) formats, including new commercial film titles.  Corel’s digital media software also provides enhanced reading and high-speed archiving of personal content to DVD and CD formats.  The Pioneer BDC-2202 is available for a suggested price of $299.99.

“Our new Blu-ray Disc combo drive is one of the most exciting introductions for Pioneer, as it is one of the industry’s most advanced optical drives for business and consumer users,” said Andy Parsons, senior vice president at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.  “With BD-ROM compatibility, the new drive enables users to play Blu-ray Disc movies and explore their impressive new interactive features on their PC.  We’ve also included a solid software bundle from Corel that allows creative individuals to assemble and preserve their own video, photo and music projects onto CDs and DVDs.”

When installed in a properly configured PC, the Pioneer BDC-2202 transforms the computer into a high-definition media center for times when a user is not in a home theater environment.  The new Blu-ray Disc combo drive combines Pioneer’s optical disc expertise with Corel Corporation’s digital media software bundle bringing to market unrivaled storage and entertainment capabilities within a single device:

  1. Corel WinDVD® 8 LE: Allows playback of BD-ROM Blu-ray Disc movies and DVD movies on a properly configured PC
  2. Ulead® VideoStudio™ 11 SE:  Video authoring software allows users to quickly and easily create professional-looking personal DVD movies and digital photo slideshows.  Direct-to-Disc feature allows aspiring filmmakers to capture movies directly from a camcorder to DVD without using hard drive space 
  3. Ulead® Burn.Now® SE:  For secure backup of personal data and media files to DVD or CD, and to create and burn music CDs

“We are very pleased that Pioneer has selected Corel’s products to enhance their new BD combo drive.  With the BDC-2202 and Corel software, consumers now have an affordable solution for making their PC Blu-ray Disc-ready to enjoy this next-generation technology,” said Blaine Mathieu, Vice President and General Manager, Products and Strategy, Digital Media at Corel.

Pioneer has been an innovator of optical disc technology since it brought LaserDisc, the precursor to DVD, to market in 1980.  Pioneer went on to introduce the first DVD writer for computer use in 1997, the first DVD recorder as a VCR replacement in 1999, the first DVD/CD writer for home computer users in 2001 and the first Blu-ray Disc writer in 2006.  Pioneer Corporation is one of the Blu-ray Disc Founders.

About Corel Corporation
Corel is a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software with more than 100 million users worldwide. The Company's product portfolio includes some of the world's most popular and widely recognized software brands including CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite, Corel® Paint Shop Pro®, Corel® Painter™, Corel DESIGNER®, Corel WordPerfect® Office, WinZip® and iGrafx®. In 2006, Corel acquired InterVideo, makers of WinDVD, and Ulead, a leading developer of video, imaging and DVD authoring software. Designed to help people become more productive and express their creative potential, Corel's software strives to set a higher standard for value with full-featured products that are easier to learn and use. The industry has responded with hundreds of awards recognizing Corel's leadership in software innovation, design and value.

Corel's products are sold in more than 75 countries through a well-established network of international resellers, retailers, original equipment manufacturers, online providers and Corel's global websites. The Company's headquarters are located in Ottawa, Canada with major offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, Taiwan and Japan. Corel's stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol CREL and on the TSX under the symbol CRE.

Pioneer and Elite are trademarks of Pioneer Corporation.
BLU-RAY DISC is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.