Addonics Technologies announces an ultra-slim DVD/CD-ROM device that weighs less than one pound, and is barely larger than a compact disc. Mobile computer users can play DVD movies, DVD material, or CD-ROM data at high speed with Addonics' new ultra-slim Pocket DVD8x24 combo drive. Barely larger than a compact disc, the Addonics Pocket DVD8x24 provides DVD/MPEG-2 as well as CD/CD-RW audio and video playback on all USB interface mobile computers and desktop PCs.

The Pocket DVD8x24 turns any notebook PC into a portable DVD/CD-ROM player to deliver high-quality audio and video with low CPU utilization. Users can play full-screen DVD movies with the drive's MPEG-2 decoding software. The drive is also compatible with the leading multimedia compact disc formats, including CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-I, CD-DA, CD-Bridge, CD-Extra, and Video CD. It will read all CD-R and CD-RW recorded media and is Photo CD multi-session compliant. The Addonics Pocket DVD8x24 drive features a front-panel loading tray that requires no caddies or cartridges. It has a list price of $349, and includes Windows 98, 2000, Me (Millennium Edition) MPEG-2 decoding software. The drive ultra-slim enclosure measures 6.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches, and weighs only 14 ounces. The drive can be powered from the keyboard port of the notebook computer for true portability or from the included 110/240V AC/DC power adapter.

System requirements are Pentium III/AMD 300 MHz or greater CPU, a USB port, and a minimum 64 MBs RAM. Designed with the Addonics' Universal Storage Interface Bus (USIB standard), the Pocket 8x24 DVD player can connect to other interfaces such as Firewire, CardBUS, or the future USB 2.0 interface by changing the interface cable.