Pioneer Electronics has released new firmware for its current 12x BDR-205 and BDR-S05 Blu-ray Disc (BD) recorders.
CMC and Ritek Unscathed by Earthquake
CMC Magnetics and Ritek Corporation announced that their operations were not significantly affected by the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Kaohsiung, Taiwan on March 4, 2010.
Ritek, Gigastorage Won’t Raise Disc Prices
DIGITIMES reports that while CMC Magnetics says that it has increased its quotes for DVDs and CDs by 5% to 10% (due to polycarbonate price hikes), Ritek and Gigastorage do not intend to follow suit.
Blu-ray Important to CMC
DIGITIMES reports that CMC Magnetics’ chairman Robert Wong expects Blu-ray Disc (BD) shipments to comprise 10% of his company’s revenues in Q2, rising to 20% in Q3 2010. Gross margins for BDs currently range from 30% to 40%.
CMC Increases Blu-ray Manufacturing Capacity
DIGITIMES reports that CMC Magnetics’ production capacity for writable Blu-ray Discs (BD) now stands at three million pieces per month.
Ritek and CMC Up and Down in December
DIGITIMES reports that CMC Magnetics and Ritek have announced unaudited revenues for Dec. 2009 of NT$1.403 billion (US$44.1 million) and NT$1.469 billion (US$46.1 million) respectively.
Philips Licenses Effective Until 2012
DIGITIMES has issued a correction of its January 4, 2009 report regarding Philips reducing the patent royalty it charges CMC Magnetics and Ritek on blank CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs.
Philips Slashes CD and DVD Disc Royalties
DIGITIMES reports that Royal Philips Electronics has reduced the patent royalty it charges CMC Magnetics and Ritek on blank CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs.