Toshiba Offers HD DVD Guidance

Toshiba Updates the Status of HD DVD Products Launch in Japan along with the Progress of Content Protection System for HD DVD (AACS)

Toshiba is currently in the final phase for commercialization of HD DVD players, the highly anticipated next generation optical disc system, and has been targeting a Japanese market launch by the end of this year. We have completed the design of HD DVD players for the U.S. and Japanese market and are ready for volume production at our manufacturing facilities in Japan.

Besides the experience of compelling picture quality, HD DVD offers many advanced features, including the robust copy protection management system of AACS (Advanced Access Content System). AACS is integrated into players and discs to secure content from illegal copying and thereby assure that consumers can enjoy the benefits of the widest possible distribution of high-quality, high value-added content. Various industry participants are in the process of finalizing the last details for implementation of AACS. Because the DVD Forum has adopted AACS as an integral part of the HD DVD format, Toshiba will launch its HD DVD products only after AACS is finalized.

Under these circumstances, Toshiba plans to launch HD DVD players and notebook PCs with HD DVD drives in Japan promptly following the implementation of AACS into hardware and software products, while also taking into consideration the optimum timing for marketing hardware and software. We continue to plan for a first quarter 2006 launch in the U.S.

HD DVD has won broad recognition and support from consumers and the industry as the superior format for next generation optical disc systems, and Toshiba will continue to work with our many industry partners for the early launch of HD DVD products.