Due to a price war triggered by Japanese makers such as Pioneer and NEC, OEM quotations for 16x DVD burners have dropped to US$95-100, according to Taiwanese OEM makers.

For 4x and 8x DVD burners, Japanese OEM makers started volume production a couple of months earlier than their Taiwanese competitors and were able to enjoy higher OEM prices during the ?honeymoon? period. However, Taiwanese makers including Lite-On IT and BenQ began volume production of 16x DVD burners right after their Japanese competitors.

Japanese makers responded by initiating lower prices, with the Taiwanese makers immediately matching the quotes, Taiwanese makers indicated.

Currently, OEM prices are US$95-100 for 16x DVD+RW burners, with Dual (+RW/?RW) model prices US$5-10 higher and Dual DL (8.5GB single-sided double-layer) models topping the list at between US$5-10 above that.

From DigiTimes