Lite-On to launch 12x dual format DVD recorder this month

April 7, 2004

Number_17 reports us that Lite-On IT will offer 12x dual
format DVD recorders later this month. Even though the life cycle of these 12x
burners is expected to be very short (16x burners are just around the corner)
Lite-On says that the 12x models can command higher OEM prices. Lite-On expects
to start volume production of 16x dual format DVD recorders in the third quarter
of this year:

However, 12x models will have a higher gross margin
because their OEM prices of US$ 129-139 (depending on order volume) per
burner are higher than the US$ 90-95 for 8x models, Gong pointed
out.

In addition to 12x DVD Dual, Lite-On IT plans
to offer 8x DVD+RW DL (dual-layer) in mid-April at the earliest, with the
timing hinging on the availability of compatible double-layer DVD discs,
Gong noted.

Lite-On IT has begun production of DVD+R DL
burners, with the compatible double-layer DVD+Rs imported from Mitsubishi
at a price of 5,000 yen per disc, according to Gong. Mitsubishi is
currently the world's only producer of double-layer DVD+R discs, and
Taiwanese makers are only expected to start making such discs at the end
of this quarter, Gong added.

These Mitsubishi DL DVD+R discs which Lite-On is using
are quite expensive. 5,000 Japanese yen is almost
US$ 50!

Source: DigiTimes