Sony has expanded its 800 series of DVD re-writers, with the new internal DRU-800A and the external DRX-800UL. Both support 4X DVD R Dual Layering, and can burn disks that hold about 8.5 gigs of data. The internal model comes with an ATAPI interface, and sports a black replacement bezel for those with black-colored PC cases. (With the rise in popularity of aluminium cases, I wonder how long it will be before such drives are shipped with aluminium bezels as well...) The external model connects with your machine via the IEEE 1394 and hi-speed USB digital interfaces. The internal drive is $130, and the external is $210.

"Our double layer drives have been very popular with consumers, commanding number one market share at retail, and now we're taking the next step by providing dual layer recording, allowing users to choose from the widest possible selection of blank discs," said Robert DeMoulin, marketing manager for branded storage products in Sony Electronics' IT Products Division. "Sony's 800 series of DVD burners is a superior option for consumers wanting to store and share home movies, digital photos, and music; businesses deploying DVD video-based training and sharing large files; and filmmakers creating prototypes on DVD videodisc before proceeding with mass replication."