p2p news / p2pnet: Toshiba has beaten Blu-ray to the punch, launching sales of the first HD DVD players in Japan.

The company’s HD-XA1, costing some 110,000 yen ($936; euro775), is also being promised for the US in April at about $800, says the Associated Press.

Waiting in the wings is Sony, which hopes to start selling Blu-ray in the US this summer but which, “has not announced a date for Japan sales,” says the story, going on, “Sony recently postponed until November the sale of its PlayStation 3 video game console, which runs Blu-ray discs and was initially promised for spring. Prices have not been announced.

“Matsushita has said its first Blu-ray disc player will be available in the United States in September but has not given a date for when it will sell in Japan. The Osaka-based manufacturer said the price was undecided but will be under US$1,500.”

HD DVD is backed by Universal Studios, Warner Bros, Intel and Microsoft. Blu-ray disc is backed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox, Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard and Dell.

“Experts say loyalty to either technology among Hollywood studios is likely to be thin, and studios are expected to come out with content for whichever format proves popular,” adds AP.

The HD-XA1 comes with HD DVD titles Resident Evil and the Japanese Moonlight Jellyfish, for a limited time, says TechDigest, adding:

“Alongside the playback of pre-recorded HD DVD, Toshiba’s HD-XA1 also offers support for up-conversion of standard DVD to a resolution of 1080i or 720p through HDCP capable HDMI output. Along with L-PCM 5.1ch audio, the HD-XA1 supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.”

Features include a pop-up menu which, “displays movie chapters with thumbnails while a movie plays, allowing you to navigate menu features without pausing playback,” says the story.

Also See:
Associated Press - Toshiba starts selling next-generation DVD player in Japan, March 31, 2006
TechDigest - Patti Santangelo fights Goliath, February 14, 2006

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