Sony has announced its AWG170A DVD-RAM compatible DVD writer, the first Sony drive developed by Sony NEC Optiarc Inc. It supports all DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW media including the latest double and dual layer DVD Recordable discs as well as DVD RAM. Rewriteable DVDs are recorded at 8x (DVD+RW) or 6x (DVD-RW) speed but can be read at up to 13x and DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL double/dual layer discs are recorded at 8x. The drive also supports CD-R writing/reading of 48x CD Speed. The AWG170A is an Ultra DMA66 Mode 4 ATAPI device. Other new key features include an Active Disc Position Adjustment - a function that compensates for an unbalanced disc and the Static Damper System used to minimise shock and vibration during the read/write operation.

The OEM version of the Sony AWG170A drive is available in four colour variations from August 2006.