Chanhassen, MN – August 17, 2004 – Microboards is shipping a new disc creation system (MSRP $2,995) with a high-speed DVD/CD recorder and industrial printing technology from HP to give users professional publishing in a petit package. Combined with custom label design and recording software, the system makes in-house disc creation easy and inexpensive.

Co-developed with Hewlett Packard, the leading manufacturer worldwide of inkjet printers, the DX-1 offers a more robust choice among entry-level systems on the market. It uses large-capacity ink cartridges to lower the cost-per-disc in ink by up to 60%, and it offers the highest image resolution and throughput in discs per hour available in a single drive solution.

“We wanted to address the entry-level market for printing & recording discs in a single unit”, said Mitch Ackmann, Microboards’ President and COO. “And the DX-1 achieves the desired balance between needs for compactness, low consumable cost, and reliable operation.”

The out of the package solution contains a publisher with full automation, printing, and recording capabilities, as well as software for label design and recording. The unit features 16X DVD recording and 48X CD recording, and supports virtually every disc format for CD and DVD, including the dual layer DVD standard. Microboards has perfected and patented gravity-feeding ‘singulation’ technology, which loads and unloads CDs with minimal moving parts and in a small area.

“The partnership between Microboards and HP has been ideal”, said Clay Higgins, HP Specialty Printing Systems’ Director of Sales and Marketing. “Marrying Microboards’ patented media handling technology with HP’s inkjet technology has now resulted in three significant, market leading products. We expect the DX-1 to be quickly adopted, like the PF-2 and DX-2 before.”

“HP’s inkjet technology enabled us to provide a solution that is both the highest quality print and the lowest cost-per-disc” said Ackmann. “That’s a winning combination in any technology, and a difficult one to achieve.”

The integrated disc printer is capable of up to 4800 dpi printing in full color. The unit can print up to 75 discs per hour, dependant on coverage and resolution, and ink consumption costs as little as $.05 to $.15 per disc.

Given the price and the performance, the DX-1 will prove an excellent value, and ideal for organizations that are ready to advance to full production capabilities. Since it is easy to use, reliable in its operation, and produces a quality finished disc, the DX-1 will enable disc publishing in both existing and in many new applications.

About Microboards
Microboards has been the industry leader in distribution and development of CD Recordable technology systems since 1989. Other historical highlights include the introduction of the first CD recorders and media in the United States, as well as the introduction of the first CD and DVD duplicators. Microboards is headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota with manufacturing facilities in Salida California. Microboards is represented internationally by its offices in London, UK and Tokyo, Japan and by authorized resellers around the world.

Editorial Contact:
Microboards -Aaron Pratt, Marketing and Communications Manager
P: 952.556.1600 E-Mail: Aaronp@Microboards.com
8150 Mallory Ct · Chanhassen, MN · 55317