Asustek to launch first dual-layer Blu-ray disc writer in July

The Taiwanese electronics maker Austek Computer Inc, well known for motherboards has announced plans to launch its first Blu-ray disc writer in July.  Asustek expects Blu-ray to do well with its larger storage capacity and wider bandwidth.  For example, they mention how Blu-ray writers already offer double the bandwidth of the current HD DVD writers due for launch, but also admit that Blu-ray does suffer a tough start with its high price tag.

According to X-bit labs, the Asus drive is capable of writing both single and dual-layer Blu-ray writable and rewritable media at 2x speed.  The writer also writes CD-R/RW and DVD±R/RW media, including double layer DVD media. 

As the battle between DVD+RW and DVD-RW writers simply resulted in hybrid writers, the same is likely to take place with the next generation DVD market with BenQ already having plans to introduce a hybrid writer capable of handling both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs.  They also plan to offer a hybrid set-top HD recorder which can also read from or record HD broadcasts to either format.

Source: Taipei Times