As we reported last
week, support for LightScribe is on the decline. According to
DigiTimes, a number of drive manufacturers are looking to LabelFlash as a more affordable alternative.
Although Plextor, NEC
and I-O Data have offered LabelFlash-enabled DVD burners for a while, the technology has lagged far behind LightScribe in adoption by
brands/makers of DVD burners, the sources pointed out. However, probably because LabelFlash has the advantages of much lower royalty
charges and burns labels onto discs faster, there may be more brands/makers adopting the technology, including the largest Taiwan-based
OEM maker Lite-On IT, the sources noted. In contrast, many newly launched DVD burners are not equipped with LightScribe, the sources
said.
The competition between LabelFlash and LightScribe hinges on royalty charge rates and prices of the corresponding CD-R,
DVD+R/-R discs. For example, LightScribe discs are up to 100% more expensive than standard discs of the same format, the sources
noted.
Unfortunately, LabelFlash drives and media have yet to make their way to the US nor do I think they will in the near
future. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes.
