DigiTimes is reporting that Lite-On is planning third quarter volume production of 18x speedy burners. Of course, Plextor has announced such a drive already, the PX-760A 18x DVD burner (DVD+/-R/RW CD-R/RW) but we can always welcome more manufacturers to join in on the speed escalation. Too bad BenQ has not made a similar announcement.
Plextor announced that it will introduce the worlds first 18x DVD+/-R burner by the end of this month. The company said the product will be shipped to distributors in North and South America this April, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of US$119. Current prices for 16x DVD burners range from US$50-70.
Michael Gong, general manager for Lite-On IT's Optical Disc Drive Business Unit, said the company will volume produce and ship 18x DVD burners in the third quarter of this year to accommodate needs in the market, before BLU-ray disc drives are ready to ship.
However, with prices of 16x DVD burners continuing to fall, Lite-On IT is looking to avoid furthering a price war though its launch of an 18x DVD burner, Gong said.
The article went on to say that BenQ is not planning to enter the 18x arena due to a fear of potential quality problems. They feel the discs are spinning a tad t quickly in order to achieve this kind of speed. However, industry sources say that both Pioneer and Sony may also launch 18x models.
