Lite-On IT will begin volume production of 18x DVD writers in July and plans to start production of 20x DVD writers in the fourth quarter of this year, according to DigiTimes. Lite-On IT will also kick off volume production of Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD-DVD optical drives in August.

As OEM prices of 16x DVD burners drop further due to intense competition, the switch to production of more profitable 18x and 20x DVD burners is aimed at keeping overall gross margins from falling, Gong indicated.

Lite-On IT will also kick off volume production of Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD-DVD optical drives in August. However, the two blue-laser product lines will not become mainstream until 2008 due to their high prices so thus Lite-On IT will remained focused on DVD burners over the next two years, Gong pointed out.

Source: DigiTimes