No more Blu-ray delay news? Yup, 'fraid so...
Blu-ray manufacturers including Philips, BenQ and Lite-on have experessed concern that the only two producers of Blu-ray laser diodes, Sony and Nichia, can only produce low quantities due to technical barriers.
Not only that, but Sony is (unsurprisingly) setting aside a large proportion of its manufacture of these vital components for use in its forthcoming PS3 games console.
This means that Blu-ray manufacturers will be unable to produce large volumes of drives, including burners, until at least September when the PS3 is scheduled for release. That is, unless we hear of another time slip.
This is unfortunate for all in the Blu-ray camp. Whilst Sony may be resting their hopes on the PS3 to swing things, the HD DVD marches steadily onwards, though not without its own hiccups.
News of this delay comes on the same day that seven companies in the HD DVD camp announced the formation of the "North American HD DVD Promotional Group Inc." (catchy), who will launch "a $150 million promotional campaign to ensure the format takes off in the world largest entertainment market".
So they're essentially delaying it to make sure that it can be used in their new console? Isn't that just make it sound more and more like HD-UMD?