Dell and Hewlett Packard (HP) will launch DVD+RW double-layer (DL) burners bundled with their PCs early next month, so their Taiwanese OEM makers will soon begin production of such DL burner models in small volumes, according to Taiwanese makers of optical disc drives.

The DVD+RW DL burners to be bundled by Dell and HP, both members of the DVD+RW Alliance, will support 8.5GB single-sided DL DVD discs. Their Taiwanese OEM producers include BenQ and Lite-On IT, the Taiwanese makers of optical disc drives indicated.

Small production volumes and lower initial yields on the DVD+RW DL burners will correspond to OEM prices for Dell and HP at around US$130-140 at first, much higher than the current price for 8x DVD+RW burners of below US$90, the Taiwanese makers pointed out. Due to such high OEM prices, Dell and HP are expected to only ship high-end PCs bundled with DVD+RW DL burners for the time being, the Taiwanese makers said.

Taiwan�s OEM makers are also producing DVD Dual DL burners (compatible with both +RW and -RW formats) at a higher OEM price of US$150-160. They will also produce the DVD+RW DL and DVD Dual DL burners for the channel market, with the launch time coming toward the end of May.