Hewlett-Packard, Dell join Blu-ray Disc group aiming to set global standards

TOKYO (AFP) Jan 30, 2004
Global computer giants Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) of the United States have joined a group of international high-tech companies to set a common standard for the Blu-ray Disc format, the group said Friday.

They joined the Blu-ray Disc Founders, formed in May 2002 to promote the disc format, which allows high-capacity optical-disc storage to be used for such technologies as high-definition televisions, the group said in a statement.

"It's extremely important that any optical-disc format be suitable for use in both PCs and consumer electronics devices and have strong support from the movie industry and other content providers," Maureen Weber, general manager of the optical storage solutions at HP said in the statement.

"Blu-ray Disc's revolutionary architecture allows it to take full advantage of high-definition television, broadband Internet connectivity and other emerging technologies," Richard Sasselink, senior manager of storage peripherals at Dell said in the statement.

Dell and HP joined the group comprised of Hitachi Ltd, LG Electronics Inc, Matsushita Electronics Industrial, Mitsubishi ELectric Corp, Pioneer Corp, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sharp Corp, Sony Corp and Thomson.

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