ADS Tech Ramps Up Shipments of Top-selling Dual-Link Drive Kit

Contact: Andy Marken
Marken Communications, Inc.
408-986-0100
andy@markencom.com

FireWire/USB 2.0 Device Lets PC, Mac, Network Users Add Up to 250GB of Plug & Play Storage, Turns CD/DVD Drives into Portable Devices

CERRITOS, CA (September 2, 2004) — ADS Tech (www.adstech.com) announced today that it is now shipping its Dual-Link Drive Kit in volume to meet the burgeoning storage requirements created by today’s digital photo and video files. Offering both USB-2.0 and FireWire connectivity, the easy-to-install drive kit can be used by PC, Mac and network users to cost-effectively add a hard drive with up to 250GB of removable storage capacity or to convert a DVD/CD drive into a convenient portable FireWire or USB 2.0 device. Retailers can bundle the versatile drive kits with the storage device of their choice to provide their customers with plug & play external storage solutions that deliver data at their maximum throughput.

The ADS Tech Dual-Link Drive Kit is an external, stackable storage solution that can be used with almost any IDE Hard Drive, ATA-100 Drive, CD or DVD drive. To add Gigabytes of portable storage, users simply slide a hard drive into the Drive Kit enclosure, bolt it down to the enclosure with the included mounting screws, plug in the power, close the case and connect it to their system with either the USB or FireWire cable that comes with the kit. The drive will be instantly recognized by the computer without having to configure the drive or reboot the system.
With this capability, Drive Kit users can quickly share and transport data by plugging the drive kit into the USB or FireWire port of a co-worker’s computer or a home system.

Ideal for high-speed storage and backups as well as audio and video applications, the Dual-Link Drive Kit features two 400-Mbits/sec FireWire ports and one 480-Mbits/sec USB 2.0 port — each offering sustained data transfer rates of up to 35 Mbits/sec. With two FireWire ports, users can connect one port to the host computer and use the second port to connect to a digital camcorder, scanner or an ADS Tech PYRO Web Cam. The additional port can also be used to daisy chain a second drive kit.

For added reliability, the drive kit is externally powered with a power supply that provides both five and 12 volts to the drive. A lighted rear power toggle switch and a hard drive activity light are included to help users quickly determine drive access. For security, the Dual-Link Drive Kit offers advanced micro-slot protection to keep the drive from “walking away,” and compatibility with both Anchor Pad and Kensington Locks.

Housed in a sleek gray and black designer case, the drive kit measures only 6.75″ (W) x 2.3″ (H) x 9.25″ (L) and features a silent ball bearing fan with dual fan guards to keep drives cool and ensure smooth, quiet operation for thousands of hours.

In addition to supporting Windows 98, 98 SE, Me, 2000 and XP (no 1394 support for Win 98) systems, the Dual-Link Drive Kit is also Mac-compatible, supporting MAC OS 9.x and OS X (all
versions). Drives supported include IDE Hard drives such as UDMA 33/66 or ATA100/133 as well as CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, and DVD-R/DVD+RW drives. A removable bezel cover is included for hard drive installations that can be removed for CD/DVD drive installation.

Pricing, Availability
ADS Tech’s Dual-Link Drive Kit is available from leading video dealers, e-tailers and distributors with a street price of US$85. The external device comes with the Dual-Link Drive Kit Enclosure equipped with a removable bezel cover for hard drive installations, a 6′ USB 2.0 cable, a 6′ FireWire cable and a flat ribbon cable (ATA-100) as well as a Screw Kit for installing hard drives or CD drives, and an External Power Supply. The kit also includes a CD with drivers and SpeedTools Utilities for Macs from INTECH Software

ADS Tech also offers USB 2.0 and 1394/Firewire PCI Add-in cards for PCs that do not come with a card.

About ADS Technologies
ADS Technologies is a world leader in Universal Serial Bus and IEEE-1394/FireWire solutions. Since 1992, the company has introduced high-quality multimedia, networking and presentation products at consumer-friendly prices. The company’s award-winning USB product line includes eleven complimentary peripherals and its USB Port for Desktops is the world’s best-selling USB PCI host card. PYRO 1394DV, the first consumer-priced digital video editing solution on the PC market, has been widely adopted by owners of digital video camcorders for its ease-of-use for first time DV editors, its functionality and its low cost.

ADS Technologies’ products are distributed by Ingram Micro in the United States, Canada and Europe. ADS Technologies’ products are available in nearly 3,000 consumer electronic and computer retail stores and through OEM private label customers around the world who market ADS Technologies products under their own brand name. For more information, please visit our Web site at http://www.ADStech.com or contact phone: 800.888.5244.
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