Hewlett-Packard, the world’s largest maker of personal computers, has reportedly teamed up with Blockbuster, the largest video rental chain in the U.S., and Lite-On company, the world’s third largest maker of optical disk drives (ODDs) in order to introduce an affordable multimedia personal computer with integrated Blu-ray disc (BD) ODD.

Lite-On Technology Corp. has landed a “big” order from HP for Blu-ray disc optical disc drives, reports China Economic News Service. The order is reportedly large enough to secure a “strong” growth for the company’s sales in the second half of 2010, according to sources within the ODD company, which generally means that at this point the information remains a rumour.

The agency also claims that HP is about to announce a cooperation with Blockbuster in an attempt to jointly popularize Hewlett-Packard’s multimedia notebooks with BD drives as well as Blockbuster’s rental service. The report does not specify whether HP plans a BD-equipped desktop, BD-equipped notebook or both. In fact, the article alleges HP of planning to enter the consumer electronics market by launching an “economical Blu-ray player”, which is something that will hardly happen.

If the information is correct, then not only HP will be able to grab a substantial share on the market of multimedia personal computers, but also will Blu-ray format get a boost among those customers who prefer cost-efficient solutions.

Neither Blockbuster, HP or Liteon commented on the news-story.

Tags: HP, Hewlett-Packard, Lite-On, Blockbuster, Blu-ray