Despite the first hybrid high-def/DVD discs from rival format HD DVD already on the market, Blu-ray backers say they have no plans to release such "transitional" discs in the foreseeable future, reports Home Media Retailing.

Sony today officially announced the STR-DG1000, their first high-definition compatible A/V receiver optimized for the Blu-ray format.

In a surprise move, MGM today announced that it is shifting its domestic home entertainment distribution business from Sony to Fox, though Sony will continue to service the studio's upcoming Blu-ray disc releases.

With the launch of Blu-Ray set for next month and the November arrival of the PlayStation 3 looming, Sony yesterday confirmed that disc production has officially begun, reports Total Video Games.

Another speedbump for Blu-Ray today, with Sony/MGM announcing it will delay its second wave of disc releases on the format by one month.

Faced with shortages in the supply of electronics components, initial demand for Blu-Ray players will exceed demand and prices will remain high, a Sony exec told Reuters.

Buyers of the "low-end" $499 model of the upcoming PlayStation 3 won't be getting an HDMI digital output, and that's just fine with Sony -- but not gamers, who are dismayed by the company's plans for the Blu-Ray driven next-gen game console, reports Ars Technica.

After months of speculation over the expected cost of the Blu-Ray-driven PlayStation 3, Sony has at last revealed its pricing plans for the highly-anticipated next-gen game console, CNN reported late yesterday.

Sony announced late today it is delaying the release of its initial wave of Blu-Ray disc titles to June, to coincide with the launch next month of the first Blu-Ray players, reports Video Business.

Hoping to build upon its lead as the industry's top-selling brand of consumer electronics, Sony has announced it will launch one of the biggest consumer ad campaigns in the company's history to promote its growing line of HD products, including Blu-Ray, reports Associated Press.

As Sony gears up to launch the Blu-Ray enabled PlayStation 3 game console worldwide this fall, the company has announced it is dropping the price on the popular PlayStation 2, reports Home Media Retailing.

Sony has announced their second Blu-Ray disc title to debut simultaneously with its standard DVD release.

Like any good soap opera, the next-gen DVD format wars continue to deliver surprises.

After two years of hype and hope, four studios -- Sony/MGM, Paramount, Fox and Lion's Gate -- announced their initial lineup of Blu-Ray titles today at CES 2006.

Each studio plans to have 10-20 catalog titles available by early spring, with each offering a nominal mix of well-known catalog titles and recent blockbusters. Pricing has not yet been announced, although Sony honco Ben Feingold expected Blu-Ray discs to cost on average higher than their DVD counterparts, but "not significantly so." Day-and-date with DVD support was also sketchy, although Fox and Paramount indicated that such highly-anticipated blockbusters as 'Mission: Impossible 3' and 'Ice Age 2' would see simultaneous Blu-Ray and DVD release in 2006.

The initial slates leave us a little wanting -- 'Stealth,' 'Rambo' and 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' is as good as it gets, folks. While these titles are skewed towards the young male action audience (which is a safe bet, given Blu-Ray's almost pre-sold base of Playstation 3 gamers), if high-def DVD is going to succeed with the mainstream, there has to be more variety. How about a few romantic comedies? Or even a couple genuine classics? And with only one TV DVD title announced ('Stargate Atlantis'!) the studios appear to be failing to capitalize on the biggest growth sector of the DVD market.

However, with remaining Blu-Ray supporting studios Warner, New Line, Disney and Universal expected to announce their Blu-Ray support by the end of CES 2006, we're still holding out hope that their offerings will rate a bit higher on the excitement meter.