In response to reports that Pioneer will cooperate with TEAC to develop key components of PC-use optical disc drives (ODDs), leading Taiwanese ODD makers indicated that they would be watching the situation very closely.
Pioneer High Fidelity Taiwan, Pioneer’s Taiwan subsidiary, on December 7 stated that the cooperation would possibly involve integrating the two companies’ pick-up head (PUH) technology rather than business operations.
If the cooperation focuses on red-laser ODDs, it should not substantially affect Taiwanese ODD makers’ OEM/ODM business, local industry experts pointed out. But if the focus is on next-generation blue-laser ODDs, Taiwanese makers will be under significant competitive pressure in terms of technology, these experts indicated.
Article translated by Adam Hwang and edited by Eric Mah
