20051227

Blu-Ray Officially Announced




Pioneer Electronics Inc. on Tuesday unveiled a high-definition Blu-ray DVD disc drive for personal computers in the latest twist in a multibillion dollar battle over next-generation DVD standards.

Pioneer is part of the Blu-ray consortium, led by Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research), which is vying against a rival high-definition format known as HD-DVD, championed by Toshiba Corp. (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research). Both camps are hoping the next-generation discs and players, set to be introduced to consumers in 2006, will help offset a slowdown in the $19 billion prepackaged disc market.

Hollywood studios are expected to announce names and dates of title releases for the new DVDs at the upcoming Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas, where consumer electronics makers are also set to release launch details.


This is the first shot in the next wave of format wars.

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