With Samsung and LG having already launched 22x DVD burners, Sony and BenQ plan to launch competing products in July and the third quarter of 2008, respectively, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

BenQ will have Lite-On IT, undertake ODM production of its 22x DVD burners, while Sony's will be produced by either Sony NEC Optiarc, a joint venture of Sony and NEC, or an ODM/OEM maker in Taiwan or South Korea, the sources indicated.

Sony and BenQ were originally uninterested in offering 22x DVD burners because 22x models are more expensive than 18x or 20x models while blank 22x DVD+R/-R discs are not readily available, the sources pointed out, but have now decided to follow suit due to competition pressure.

22x DVD burners will mainly sell in retail markets for the time being, and it is uncertain whether PC vendors will adopt them to build into systems, the sources analyzed. Currently, ODM/OEM quotes for 20x DVD burners stand at US$20-23 and those for 22x models are US$2-3 higher, the sources added.