Sony Electronics today unveiled a variety of Blu-ray Disc-based (BD) products, offering a host of new high-definition entertainment possibilities.

U.S. product introductions will begin this spring and gather momentum over the summer with the introduction of a home player. BD technology will also be included in VAIO¨ computers, aftermarket computer drives and recordable BD-R (write-once) and BD-RE (rewritable) media.

Sony expects the Blu-ray Disc format to emerge as the standard in HD video performance and flexibility packaged in a convenient five-inch optical disc. The format features a robust 25GB single layer and 50GB dual layer capacity, making it ideal for feature length motion pictures with tons of extra feature material - all in full 1080p high definition - along with the multimedia possibilities of Java-enabled interactivity.

"Blu-ray Disc technology is the final piece needed to complete our vision of the high-definition world," said Hideki "Dick" Komiyama, president and chief operating officer for Sony Electronics Inc.

Sony's first Blu-ray Disc home player, model BDP-S1, will be available in early summer and features 1080p full HD video output for brilliant HD imagery and also DVD upscaling to 1080p. This initial BD player features a sophisticated design and exceptional build quality with rigid beam construction as well as finely tuned audio and video parts and circuits.

The company's RC series VAIO desktop computer will combine Blu-ray Disc recording technology with high-octane performance, allowing aspiring HD movie makers and other videographers to shoot their creation with a high-definition camcorder. Using Sony's VEGAS software users can edit high-definition footage then archive and share it on Sony high-capacity BD-R and BD-RE Blu-ray Discs or on traditional DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW discs, capitalizing on flexibility in storage, playback and recording. RC series desktops will be available with the drive in early summer.