Lite-On IT receives Toshiba orders for HD-DVD burners

August 23, 2006

GristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us about more news
from DigiTimes. In this article, we get the confirmation of the earlier
news that Lite-On will be producing HD-DVD drives as well as Blu-ray. Because it
looks like Toshiba has come knocking. They also let it slip that Lite-On could
even get an order for Microsoft for the Xbox 360 external HD-DVD drives, that
will allow gamers to watch movies with the game console.

Lite-On has really placed itself well and continues
to have a nice relationship with Sony, who backs the Blu-ray format, even in
light of orders from Toshiba. But, considering that Lite-On is also in
possession of BenQ/Philips ODD division, we can understand why. As Philips
is also a key Blu-ray backer.

We have to wonder, how long it will be before we
see some hybrid Blu-ray/HD-DVD drives from Lite-On. Any guesses? Plus, how
expensive would something like this be? Could such a hybrid also be
made backward compatible with DVD? Can you guess who would provide the
burning software for the bundle?

Lite-On IT, Taiwan"s largest optical disc drive (ODD) maker, has received orders from Toshiba for half-height (H/H) HD-DVD burners, according to sources at components suppliers.

Toshiba is releasing the H/H models to
Lite-On IT in order to focus its own production on slim-type HD-DVD
burners in the face of strong competition from the Blu-ray Disc (BD) camp,
the sources said.

Lite-On IT declined to comment, citing
client confidentiality. Lite-On IT last week announced that it is
developing H/H HD-DVD burners, with volume production to start in March
2007.

Source: DigiTimes