Low-priced DVD recorders from BenQ and Lite-On IT to boost sales

Jimmy Hsu, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DigiTimes.com
[Tuesday 7 June 2005]

Following Wal-Mart’s recent introduction of an inexpensive
DVD recorder, BenQ and Lite-On IT have introduced models
priced at US$99-129, and the companies plan to tout the new
products to gain ODM/OEM orders as well as boost their
orders for loaders (component kits) of DVD recorders,
according to the two makers.

BenQ has begun shipments of the DVD recorders primarily
for sale under its own brand, which currently average 10,000
units a month, said associate vice president Alpha Tsai.
However, the company still competes for ODM/OEM orders
from international brands or system integrators from the retail
channel, Tsai indicated. In addition, BenQ targets Chinese
makers of DVD players as main clients for loaders of DVD
recorders, with the company expecting to deliver 100,000
units a month in the second half of this year, Tsai added.

Lite-On IT has shipped its DVD recorders to Philips, Wal-Mart
and Sanyo Electric on an ODM/OEM basis. The company also
began to ship small volumes of DVD recorder loaders in the
fourth quarter of 2004 and expects the sales volume to increase
largely beginning next quarter.

Protop Innotech, another maker of DVD recorders in Taiwan,
hopes to deliver loaders in large volumes next quarter.

Source: Digitimes.com