Samsung Gives Boost to Blu-Ray DVDs Briefing: SEOUL

Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest television maker, said Wednesday that it would release its first high-definition DVD player in North America this week, giving a boost to Sony’s Blu-ray version of the audio and visual technology. The player, to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, intensifies the competition between Sony and Toshiba to provide the standard for the equipment. The name Blu-ray refers to the blue laser used to read and record, using the new format DVDs. Toshiba calls its system HD DVD. Both Sony and Toshiba use blue lasers, which allow more data to be put on a disc than the red lasers used for conventional DVDs. This year, 38 percent of all televisions sold in the United States will have high-definition quality, according to JupiterResearch. Among electronics makers, the Blu-ray format is supported by Samsung, Apple Computer and Dell. Among Toshiba’s main backers are NEC, Intel and Microsoft. The two sides are trying to recruit film studios and media companies to use their technology.