Ritek has begun OEM production of LabelFlash CD-R and DVD+R/-R discs for Fujifilm, with an initial small shipment volume of several million discs a month, according to industry sources. LabelFlash technology allows users to directly burn a label onto an optical disc.
Following Plextor's launch of the world's first LabelFlash-enabled DVD burners in the first quarter of this year, NEC, Pioneer, LG Electronics and I-O Data Device have subsequently offered such DVD burners, boosting the adoption of LabelFlash, the sources indicated. Fujifilm is currently the sole supplier of LabelFlash discs, and has outsourced production to Ritek because its own production capacity is not sufficient, the sources pointed out.
LabelFlash is comparable with LightScribe, which was developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP), in disc labeling functions, the sources said. Although LabelFlash was offered about one year later than LightScribe and therefore is less known, the former can label both sides of a disc while the latter can label only the non-recordable side, the sources pointed out.
In addition, LabelFlash can make a label in only 5-20 minutes, faster than LightScribe, the sources noted. To offset the disadvantage, HP plans to offer color LightScribe technology later this year to replace the existing monochrome version, according to the sources. The competition between the two disc labeling technologies is expected to heat up, the sources added.
Among leading Taiwan-based makers, Lite-On IT and BenQ are licensees of LightScribe technology for DVD burners while CMC Magnetics is licensed for CD-R and DVD+R/-R discs, the sources indicated.
Story source:
digitimes.com.
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