Philips Semiconductors, a long-time advocate of the DVD+RW standard, expects to start providing DVD recorder-use chipsets supporting the DVD-Dual format in early 2004 at the earliest, according to Digitimes.

The DVD-Dual chipsets will include a servo IC, an integrated MEPG-2 single chip and supporting firmware, sources said. To offer the new chipsets, Philips will have to pay licensing fees to DVD-RW technology holders, including Pioneer and Taiyo Yuden, sources added.

In addition to Philips, other major DVD chip suppliers, including Pioneer and Ricoh, have also come to support the DVD-Dual standard since earlier this year.