Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, a major movie label, said Thursday it would release the first batch of motion pictures on Blu-ray media on the 20^th of June, 2006. The company also said that by that time there would be Samsung Blu-ray consumer player and Sony’s Vaio notebook with Blu-ray disc (BD) drive available. The firm also revealed further Blu-ray movies introduction schedules.

“The delivery of the first seven BD titles, timed to coincide with the first commercially available BD player from Samsung Electronics and BD-compatible Vaio PC from Sony,” said a statement by Sony’s movie arm.

Titles available at retail June 20 from Sony Pictures include: “50 First Dates”, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore; Luc Besson’s “The Fifth Element”; the comedy starring Will Smith, “Hitch”; “House of Flying Daggers” from director Zhang Yimou; “XXX”, starring Vin Diesel; “The Terminator”, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger; and the follow-up to the hit action-thriller “Underworld”, from director Len Wiseman and starring Kate Beckinsale, “Underworld Evolution”.

“Ultraviolet”, the first day-and-date BD title from Sony Pictures will debut one week later on June 27, along with “The Last Waltz” (MGM) and “A Knight’s Tale”. On July 11^th, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release “Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addition” on Blu-ray. “Kung Fu Hustle”, “Legends of the Fall”, “Stealth”, “Species”, “SWAT” and “Resident Evil Apocalypse” will debut on Blu-ray disc July 25^th.

Earlier Sony and Pioneer reportedly announced delays of their Blu-ray disc players for consumers from June to August and September, respectively, putting the debut of the new format at risk.

Traditional single-layer DVDs allow consumers to watch movies in 720x480 (NTSC) or 720x576 (PAL) resolution with Dolby Digital audio. The blue-laser discs will provide consumers 1920x1080 resolution as well as DTS or Dolby Digital Plus audio along with some additional interactive features.