Jason Dunn
03-17-2006, 08:41 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,125126,pg,1,RSS,RSS,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,125126,pg,1,RSS,RSS,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Launch timing for the HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc optical disc formats became clearer on Friday with the disclosure by two companies of their initial sales plans. The two formats are vying to replace current DVDs for high-definition content, such as movies, and have pitted industry giants against each other. The main backers of HD-DVD include Toshiba, NEC, and Intel, while those backing Blu-ray Disc include Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung Electronics. Sony said its first Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S1, will be available in the U.S. from July at about $1000. The company had previously committed to an "early summer" launch. Samsung plans to put a Blu-ray Disc player on sale in April."</i><br /><br />Sony's $1000 USD Blu-Ray DVD player is cheaper than the $1500 Pioneer, but it's a big jump up from the $499 player from Toshiba.