Toshiba's U.S. unit may delay the launch of its next-generation DVD player for several weeks to coincide with the April debut of movies that play in the new HD DVD format, the company said on Thursday. "Toshiba is currently working with the studios as well as our retailers, to finalize the sale date of our players," the company said in a statement. In order to maximize the launch of HD DVD, we intend to synchronize the launch of our players with HD DVD title releases."

Last week, Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Home Video said it would release its first titles, including "Million Dollar Baby," and "The Phantom of the Opera," on April 18.

By contrast, Sony Pictures has said it aims to deliver its first movies in the Blu-ray DVD format to U.S. stores in late May to coincide with the entry of compatible disc players, from makers like Samsung.

Toshiba's first generation HD DVD players will conform to the AACS interim specifications, a feature that manages the content stored on HD DVD and Blu-Ray prerecorded and recorded optical media for PCs and CE devices. Note that the device will not require an internet connection to playback HD DVD video titles.