The BDR-101A can store 25GB of data on a Blu-ray disc using a shortwave-length blue laser, significantly more than even a double-layer DVD burner. The drive is expected out during the first quarter of 2006. Pioneer expects the first customers to be enthusiast-level PC owners and professionals requiring massive amounts of portable storage.

The BDR-101A will be able to place Blu-ray ROM (BD-ROM) discs holding prerecorded high-definition content, and the drive will play and record to standard DVD blank media.