Toshiba expected to launch Blu-ray player in 2009

by Stevie Smith - Jul 20 2009, 15:00

Having seen its HD DVD format lose out to Blu-ray in the recent high-definition battle, Japanese consumer electronics giant Toshiba has apparently stopped licking its wounds and is now willing to embrace Sony’s winning industry standard.

At least, that’s the view of publication Yomiuri Shimbun, which claims trusted sources have indicated that Toshiba is preparing to launch its first Blu-ray player before the close of this year.

According to the Japanese paper, Toshiba has delayed grabbing for a slice of the Blu-ray pie while waiting for the HD market to show convincing growth -- a standpoint likely compounded by a predictably cautious approach given its own HD failings in the early part of 2008.

While the report doesn’t offer any hardware specifics regarding Toshiba’s Blu-ray entrant, Trusted Reviews notes that Toshiba should be in a position to produce a solid device thanks to its XDE upscaling technology and access to the Cell processor utilised in Sony’s PlayStation 3, which itself is a respected Blu-ray equipped platform.

Toshiba’s Blu-ray device, if its does indeed arrive, will reportedly be limited as player only -- although the company could well expand its line to include a Blu-ray player/recorder based on successful traction.

The Tech Herald: Blu-ray still not performing despite HD DVD defeat

The Tech Herald: Toshiba slaps Blu-ray with new DVD upscaling technology

 

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