<<So first may I ask what makes DVD DVD. Is it a different storage technique or a different translation of the same type of storage technique used in other read only systems?>>
I will limit may response to DVD-ROM (read only). There are many other DVD devices including DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW (writables). DVD-ROM is similar to CD-ROM but holds 4.7 Gbytes instead of the 650 Mbytes found on CD-ROM's. All DVD's can read not only DVD-ROM format but CD-ROM, CD-RW and some DVD-RAM formats. DVD-ROM has been slow to be adopted on PC's. This is because there are no "killer" applications on PC's that require 4.7 Gbytes other than maybe a few games and how many people want to watch movies on their PC? In short, PC's are adopting CD-RW before DVD's.
<<What market opportunities does DVD have (niches)?>>
DVD-ROM drives are being used in DVD players along with Dolby Digital and DTS audio chips. (By the way, CRUS has some of the best design wins for audio chips in DVD players.) Also, DVD players have MPEG II video decode chips. You do find increasing DVD's in highend PC's, although I don't know why. DVD's in players can have lower performance since movies require lower transfer rates than PC DVD's.
<<Which of these is CRUS targeting? How big and how fast is this market growing?>>
CRUS is targeting both DVD-ROM's for PC's and DVD players. Don't know for sure how fast market is growing, maybe 30-50%/year. The real "killer" product, which CRUS is working on with Sony and others for next year, is a combo CD-ROM, CD-RW and DVD-ROM drive.
<<If the DD business is sold, that is if, does DVD stay or does it go?>>
CRUS has separated the magnetic and optical products into two separate divisions. It is possible to sell the magnetic and keep the optical biz.
<<From the larger and longer term, how does DVD fit into the CRUS picture?>>
As I stated above, DVD will be a large focus for the optical division, especially given CRUS owns both CD-RW and DVD technology. Thus, if CD-RW merges DVD functions, CRUS should continue to have a leadership position.
<<From what I understand CRUS has not sold any DVD type chips. Is this correct? Why?>>
CRUS is working with 3 customers on DVD. Two are very big names. The other is getting bigger, especially in China. CRUS will start shipping DVD chips in volume starting next quarter into DVD-ROM and DVD players. I expect French will announce this in the next CC. DVD has been slow because of intense competition from Japanese competitors and the large effort to develop firmware or code for these SOC (system-on-chip) products. |
