Lite-On IT started production of 4x DVD+RW drives in small
volumes for Taiwanese notebook PC makers this month.
With pick-up heads supplied by Sanyo and chipsets from MediaTek,
the 4x slim DVD+RW drives can write DVD+Rs at 4x and re-write
DVD+RWs at 2x, Lite-On IT indicated.
Lite-On IT has also begun volume production of slim combo models
for notebooks. Although currently sold with high-end notebooks
that cost over NT$50,000, 4x slim DVD+RW drives will be widely
used in all types of notebooks next year, according to Lite-On
IT’s channel customers. Lite-On IT expects its shipment of 4x
slim DVD+RW drives to rise considerably in 2004.
Lite-On IT estimates its monthly shipment of slim combo models
will exceed 200,000 units this quarter, double the figure
recorded in the first half of this year. Including 4x slim DVD+RW
drives, the company expects to sell more than one million
slim-type drives this year.
In addition, Lite-On IT will begin volume production of 4x slim
DVD Dual drives in the first quarter of 2004. The company aims to
deliver four million slim-type burners next year, with the
proportion of combo drives decreasing to 70% and that of 4x
DVD+RW and DVD Dual drives increasing to 30%.