LG Electronics Taiwan Taipei (LGETT) on October 12 introduced two new Super Multi DVD burners, the internal GSA-4167B and external GSA-2164D, for sale in the Taiwan market with recommended retail prices of NT$2,300 (US$70) and NT$4,800 (US$144), respectively. The burners have writing speeds of 16x for +R/-R, 8x for +R/-R DL (single-sided double-layer) and 5x for –RAM.
Global shipment volume of DVD burners of all types will grow from 46.8 million units in 2004 to an estimated 69.3 million this year, according to LGETT, adding that the sales volume in Taiwan will increase from 200,000-300,000 units to 500,000-600,000. As other brands launch Super Multi DVD burners, LGETT expects that the proportion of total sales volume for Super Multi DVD burners in Taiwan will rise from the current 20% to at least 30% by the end of this quarter.
In related news, LGETT said that LG has registered the name “Super Multi” with the DVD Forum and therefore will require other brands to obtain LG’s permission before allowing them to name DVD burners with the “Super Multi” name. In response, Asustek Computer will first understand the details of LG’s registration while BenQ will use its self-designated “DVD Cube” rather than the name “Super Multi,” the two local makers emphasized.
LG’s GSA-4167B Super Multi DVD burner
Photo: Company