BenQ has lowered the retail price for its Blu-ray Disc (BD)-ROM drive model, BR 1000, in the Taiwan market by 33% from NT$5,450 (US$179) to NT$3,650 (US$120), according to sources in the local retail channel.

While Pioneer lowered the retail price for its BD Combo drive, BDC-S02BKZ, to 999 yuan (US$145) in mid-June and Panasonic did so for its BD Combo drive, SW-4583, to 988 yuan in early July 2008 in the China market, BenQ's price downward adjustment is the first time for BD-ROM drives outside of the China market, the sources pointed out.

Retail prices of BD-ROM drives may further drop to a level close to US$100 in the second half of 2008, the sources indicated.