Toshiba signs up for Blu-ray

This was originally posted at ZDNet's Between the Lines.

Toshiba said Monday it is planning a lineup of products that support the Blu-ray storage format. Toshiba was one of the leading companies behind HD DVD, a standard that lost to Blu-ray.

In a statement, that it will provide "a wide range of advanced digital products" including DVD players, HDTVs, and laptops that support multiple storage devices. "In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA (Blu-ray Disc Association).

The company said it will roll out Blu-ray products "in the course of this year."

Sony was one of the founders of Blu-ray and supported the technology via its high-definition video products and PlayStation 3. Toshiba ceded the format war to Blu-ray in February 2008. In July, it was reported that Toshiba would roll out Blu-ray products.