Asustek Computer and BenQ – two large makers of computer components from Taiwan – have showcased their first Blu-ray disk drives, which, considering the fact that companies like Asus and BenQ usually set pretty affordable prices on their products, may boost popularity of the standard.

At Computex Taipei 2006 Asus demonstrated its internal 5.25” Blu-ray disk drive that can record and rewrite single-layer and dual-layer Blu-ray R/RW at 2x speed, single-layer or dual-layer DVD±R/RW as well as CD types of media, a report over PC Watch web-site claims. Asustek even did not provide the model name for its new optical drive, which may be an indicator that the product is at a relatively early stage of development. Meanwhile, BenQ demonstrated its internal (BW1000) and USB 2.0/FireWire external (EW100G) drives that can burn both traditional – CD and single- or dual-layer DVD – as well as single- or dual-layer Blu-ray discs.

So far only Pioneer and Panasonic can supply the Blu-ray disc recorders for personal computers. It is unclear when Asus and BenQ will be capable of shipping their devices. The supporters of the competing HD DVD standard have already begun to ship consumer electronics based on the standard, whereas Samsung is only expected to release its Blu-ray disc player later in June. Nevertheless, in the personal computer space the start of both technologies do not seem to be rapid in terms of market penetration.

Blu-ray and HD DVD formats compete for replacing the DVD standard. HD DVD discs can store up to 15GB on a single layer and up to 30GB on two layers. Its competitor, Blu-ray, can store up to 27GB per single layer and up to 50GB on two layers, but Blu-ray discs are more expensive to produce. The HD DVD is pushed aggressively by Toshiba and NEC as well as being standardized at the DVD Forum, which represents over 230 consumer electronics, information technology, and content companies worldwide. Blu-ray is backed by Sony and Panasonic, which are among the world’s largest makers of electronics. Among Hollywood studios HD is supported by Warner Bros. Studios, New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures, whereas Sony Pictures, Walt Disney, Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox endorse Blu-ray.

Traditional single-layer DVDs allow consumers to watch movies in 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL) resolution with Dolby Digital audio. The blue-laser discs will provide consumers 1920x1080 resolution as well as DTS or Dolby Digital Plus audio along with some additional interactive features.