Toshiba Decides To Enter Blu-ray Market

August 11, 2009 2:58 p.m. EST

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) - Toshiba Corporation announced Monday night that it intends to enter the Blu-ray market after dropping the unsuccessful HD-DVD format in early 2008.

The Japanese electronics company applied for membership in the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), a first step in its journey into the Blu-ray disc format.

"In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA," the company said in a press release.

Toshiba was the only big electronic manufacturer to jump on the HD-DVD side; a bet that would have paid large dividends had the technology beat out Blu-ray. However, Blu-ray quickly gained momentum and has become the standard alternative to traditional DVDs.

The only question that remained was if Toshiba would subsequently enter the Blu-ray market after nixing the HD-DVD push. About a year and a half later, the industry now has the answer.

Toshiba plans to unveil products that support the Blu-ray format, including Blu-ray disc players and notebook PCs integrating Blu-ray drives later on this year.