Toshiba will introduce notebook computers with HD-DVD technology in the last quarter of 2005 in a move to pressure rivals in the battle over formats for next generation DVDs.
Toshiba’s move comes after Sony said in September that its next-generation PlayStation console, tentatively called PlayStation 3, would support Blu-ray technology, giving a boost to the competing Blu-ray camp, Reuters reported.
Both HD DVD and Blu-ray technologies use blue laser light, which has a shorter wavelength than the red light used in conventional DVD recorders. Devices that use shorter wavelength light can handle data at the higher densities needed for HD recordings.
Toshiba, along with NEC and Sanyo Electric, support HD DVD as the next-generation DVD format.
A global consortium including Sony and Matsushita Electric Industrial promotes Blu-ray technology. For more information, visit www.toshiba.com .