Toshiba unveils first notebook HD-DVD re-writable drive

Toshiba is preparing to showcase the world's first re-writable HD-DVD drive for notebook PCs. 

The SD-912A, due to be unveiled at this year's Computex show in Taipei, will appeal to business and consumer users, according to the electronics giant. 

Martin Larsson, general manager of Toshiba's Europe Storage Device Division, said that the region-free drive will support reading and writing of all currently available CD, DVD and HD-DVD formats, and should hit the market in early July.

Around 100 HD channels will be available in Europe by 2010, and more than 11 million households will be accessing HD quality content, according to figures from broadcast analyst firm Screen Digest. 

As demand increases to access this content on the go, drives like the SD-912A will become increasingly important to consumers.

Single and double layer HD-DVD discs are already available with capacities of 15GB and 30GB respectively, while triple layer HD-DVD Rom discs that offer up to 51GB are currently in development and will be available in late 2007.