Toshiba Corp. said Tuesday it will delay the domestic launch of its next-generation high-definition DVD players until next year so it can clear up copy-protection issues.
Toshiba will not launch the new HD DVD here until details of its copy-protection management systems are finalized, but it will continue to push for a U.S. launch in the first quarter of 2006, the firm said in a statement.
"HD DVD has won broad recognition and support from consumers and the industry as the superior format for next-generation optical-disc systems, and Toshiba will continue to work with our many industry partners for the early launch of HD DVD products," Toshiba said.
A Toshiba-led group has been waging a fierce battle over the next-generation DVD format with a rival group led by Sony Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. that promotes the Blu-ray format.
To gain the upper hand in the market, Toshiba had sought to introduce HD DVD players ahead of Sony's planned launch of its new PlayStation game console with a Blu-ray disc drive in the spring.