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Sony NEC Optiarc, a joint venture (JV) that combines Sony's and NEC's optical disc drive (ODD) businesses, will launch its first product, AD-7170A ATAPI burner next month.

The drive is capable of 18x writing on both DVD+R and DVD-R media and offers 12x DVD-RAM writing with compliant media (currently Maxell, Panasonic).

Until now, Samsung, HLLG and Plextor have also launched 18x DVD burners.

The AD-7170A will be manufactured in the company's plant in Malaysia, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Trying to compete with Hitachi-LG Data Storage and Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology (TSST) in the global ODD market, Sony NEC Optiarc will develop its business strategy as integrating three key elements: Sony's R&D resources (optical pick-up heads), NEC's design capabilities (chipsets) and Lite-On IT's strength in volume production.

However the company is expected to will place OEM/ODM orders for its ODD products at Lite-On IT. Lite-On IT in product manufacturing will help Sony NEC Optiarc minimize production costs, so the JV is expected to collaborate with the Taiwan-based maker on a long-term basis.

The AD-7170A is expected in the market next month for less that $40.

Specifications

Interface: ATA/ATAPI-5

Read:

CD-ROM, CD-R: 48x
CD-RW/CD-DA: 40x
DVD-ROM: 16x
DVD-Video DL: 12x
DVD-R, DVD+R: 16x
DVD-RW/+RW: 13x
DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL: 12x

Write:

CD-R: 48x
CD-RW: 32x
DVD-R: 18x
DVD-RW: 6x
DVD+R: 18x
DVD+R DL: 8x
DVD-R DL: 8x
DVD+RW: 8?x
DVD-RAM: 5x, 12x