While Microsoft targets “good-old” DVD as media type for its next-generation console, Sony’s Entertainment Division prepares to integrate a disk drive that will use innovative Blue-Ray format into the forthcoming PlayStation 3 console.

Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD) is the name of a next-generation optical disc format jointly developed by thirteen leading consumer electronics and PC companies, such as Dell, Hitachi, HP, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson. The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition television (HDTV). Blu-ray makes it possible to record over 2 hours of HDTV, or more than 13 hours of SDTV on a 27GB disc. There are also plans for higher capacity discs that are expected to hold up to 54GB of data, according to Blu-Ray.com web-site.

Sony’s PlayStation 3 consoles will integrate so-called BF-ROMs, optical drives that can read, but not record Blu-Ray disks, aSony’s official said on a press-conference in Tokyo, Japan, GameSpot web-site reports. While the standard is yet to be finalized, it is pretty clear that Sony’s implementation of BF-ROMs may have vital consequences for the standard’s popularization.

Sony said it will reveal more details on the PlayStation 3 at a premiere event in Japan on March 31, 2005. The console will also be on display at next year's E3 confab in Los Angeles.