The DVD+RW Alliance recently stated that in view of Taiwan’s major role in the global optical disc industry, it has decided to shift some of its bimonthly round robin tests from Japan to Taiwan.

Although the DVD+RW Alliance did not state how often the tests will take place in Taiwan, Taiwan-based vendors welcomed the move, as it will reduce the time needed for product testing. The DVD+RW Alliance currently holds round robin tests in Japan every two months.

During the tests, the DVD+RW Alliance will hold joint compatibility tests for products and systems complying with the DVD+R and +RW formats. The DVD+RW Alliance intends to hold more round robin tests in Taiwan as part of its efforts to compete with the DVD Forum, which promotes the DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM formats, local makers indicated.

Currently, Taiwan accounts for 75% of the global output of DVD+R/-R discs and 60% for DVD+RW/-RW discs, according to Ritek vice president Shyh-yeu Wang. In the first quarter of this year, Ritek was the world’s top producer of DVD+R discs, with a 26% share of the global market, and DVD+RW discs, with a 34% share of the market, Wang added.

Source: TISA, compiled by DigiTimes, June 2005
* DVD-RAM accounts for the remaining 26% of the market

round robin(循环赛)：Round robin是指三个或三个以上的参赛者打比赛，至少单循环一次。