DigiTimes reports contract prices for DVD-Dual
drives have continued to drop due to intensified competition as a result of a number
of manufacturers recently launching the products. More manufacturers are
expected to follow in the second half of this year:
 According to optical storage drive makers in Taiwan, contact
manufacturing prices for DVD-RW and DVD+RW drives have come down to about
US $ 140-150, while prices for DVD-Dual drives have dropped to about US $
160-170.
Market rumors, however, said that
Sony had lowered its prices for DVD-Dual drives to below US $ 150 in June,
followed by a record low quote of US $ 130 by a South Korean company in
its attempt to land orders from one or more major PC brand
companies.
The falling prices of DVD-Dual
drives are expected to further upset the prices for DVD-RW and DVD+RW
drives and put most Taiwanese manufacturers in a tough situation, compared
to their South Korean and Japanese competitors, which enjoy patent right
advantages, according to the Taiwanese companies.
Currently, it costs Taiwanese
optical storage drive makers about US $ 25-30 in licensing fees for each
of the DVD-Dual drives they produce, the companies
said. |
Source: DigiTimes
