By Sue Zeidler Tue Dec 27, 7:24 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - 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), which is vying against a rival high-definition format known as HD-DVD, championed by Toshiba Corp. (6502.T). 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.
But failure of the two camps to agree on a unified standard has overclouded the launches and set the stage for a format battle much like the VHS-Betamax war, which led to customer confusion and losses for Hollywood.
Entire Article
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - 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), which is vying against a rival high-definition format known as HD-DVD, championed by Toshiba Corp. (6502.T). 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.
But failure of the two camps to agree on a unified standard has overclouded the launches and set the stage for a format battle much like the VHS-Betamax war, which led to customer confusion and losses for Hollywood.
Entire Article