TOKYO, Jan 5 (AFP): Japanese electronics giant Toshiba announced Thursday that it would launch its high-definition DVD players in the United States in March in an attempt to get a jump on rival Sony. The planned debut of two HD DVD players is timed to coincide with the launch of Hollywood movie titles for the new format, Toshiba said in a statement as it previewed its products at a consumer electronics show in Las Vegas. The launch would come a decade after Toshiba brought to market the world's first DVD players. Launch dates for other countries were not disclosed. "HD DVD is destined to be a key driver for progress and the development of the consumer electronics, IT and entertainment industries," said Yoshihide Fujii, head of Toshiba's digital media network division. HD DVD technology, under development by two rival groups headed by Sony and Toshiba, promises cinematic quality images and new possibilities in interactive entertainment.
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