Blu-ray launches next week

[LostInSpace]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Blu-ray, one of two much-hyped high-definition DVD formats, debuts next week, but the launch is expected to be muted amid device delays and consumer confusion, industry analysts said on Thursday.

But Sony has delayed shipping its set-top Blu-ray player from July until August and Pioneer Corp. has also postponed the North American launch of its Blu-ray player to this fall from June, cutting its price to $1,500 from $1,800.