Plextor has announced a new PlexWriter Premium drive that will be able to pack 980MB of data into a 700MB disc and up to 1.2GB into an 880MB disc, that's about 40% more capacity being squeezed out from regular CD-R media.
Compression is achieved by burning smaller-than-normal pits into the surface of a blank disc--up to 40 percent smaller, thus allowing it to pack in 40 percent more data, according to enthusiast sites.
It hasn't been confirmed if discs will be playable in standard CD-ROMs or CD players though it's unlikely that will be possible. Still a good move from Plextor, with DVD burners taking over soon, they should worry on pricing the drive right and get themselves a winner.