LG will launch GGC-H20LI, its latest Super Multi Blue hybrid drive supporting read of both Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD formats, for sale at a recommended price of US$400 later this quarter, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
Although LG is a member of the BD Association, the company has also adopted the HD DVD format for its blue-laser optical disc drives as business strategy, similar to its developing Super Multi triple-format DVD burners in the past, the sources pointed out.
While the LG GGC-H20LI gains the upper hand over the Pioneer BDC-S02, a BD Combo drive, with its additional HD DVD read support, the sales price of US$400 is considerably higher than the US$299 for the Pioneer model, the sources indicated.
As Matsushita Electric Industry (Panasonic), Sony, Philips as well as Taiwan-based Lite-On IT and Asustek Computer plan to offer BD Combo drives in the second half of the year, whether the LG GGC-H20LI's "hybrid" appeal will score a win for the maker is still unsure, the sources pointed out.
Story source:
digitimes.com.
