Bluray DVD Rom drives from Pioneer LiteOn and LG

Industry reports in Taiwan suggest that the Blu-ray BD-ROM format will ascend into the mainstream during 2008. Digitimes says BD-ROM will be helped along by even more manufacturers jumping on board with the new Blu-ray rom drives.

Some reports even go so far as to suggest that the BD-ROM could be the most popular drive sold during 2008. Note that’s BD-ROM, not BD-R or BD-RW – so this relates to readers only.

The BD drive prices are falling every month, largely down to the fact that the laser power which is required is a lot less in a reader than a writer.

BD Drive support increases

DVD-and-Media UK picks the LG GGC-H20 out for special mention. The drive gives 6x playback of Blu-ray discs plus 16x playback of DVD-ROM and 24x for CD-ROMs.

Other manufacturers such as Pioneer have extended BD support now with the effect of the end of the format war and the death of HD DVD. Panasonic had several drives on display at CES in January too. And lower production costs are finally coming into view so a whole host of new drives should be hitting the shelves now.

With drive prices now around the £60 mark we should all be trading in our out of date DVD Rom drives.