Quanta Storage, the largest manufacturer of slim-type optical drives in Taiwan, will begin shipping high-end portable DVD players next month, according to local suppliers of optical drive components.

In response to the report, Quanta Storage would only state that the company is currently undergoing trial production of portable DVD players.

With other Taiwan half-height (H/H) ODD makers extending their production to slim-type models this year, Quanta Storage has faced declining OEM prices for its slim-type ODDs, and in late September the company lowered its 2004 financial projection.

To increase its profitability, Quanta Storage is trying to leverage its experience in manufacturing slim-type optical drives and extend its product lineup to consumer ODD products, with a portable DVD player being its first consumer product, the component suppliers indicated.

In addition, Quanta Storage has the advantage of being a member of the Quanta Group and can take advantage of a logistics network as well as procurement support from Quanta Computer. As well, it can obtain a supply of TFT-LCD panels from Quanta Display, the local suppliers said.

FromDigiTimes