Blu-ray discs are taking the lead over HD DVD discs in South Korea's fledgling high-definition market with strong support from big companies such as Samsung Electronics and Korea Telecom.

Samsung is working with Sony for Blu-ray movie titles and players in Seoul. Korea Telecom also forged a strategic partnership with the Japanese company to launch an Internet-based TV service based on the PlayStation3 console next month.

Neither of Blu-ray and HD DVD gained a strong foothold in Korea or in other countries. To date fewer than 40 hidef movie titles are available in Korea and none of them have sold more than 2,000 copies. Warner and Sony Pictures are planning to release some 50 movie titles in either Blu-ray and HD DVD formats by December

Initially an ardent supporter of Blu-ray, Samsung lately moved to a neutral position with the release of a dual format players on the international market. In Korea, however, it remains fully behind BD with the launch of a 600,000 won (€460) BD player, far more affordable than the 1-million won model first introduced last year.

Korea Telecom, the telephone and Internet servive provider, made a more ambitious move to utilize the HD video fever. The company said last month that it would soon connect its Internet-based TV broadcasting service to Sony's PlayStation 3 game console for the first time in the world. (Source: Korea Times)

Story filed 28.10.07