Blu-Ray shortage could halve PS3 shipments

Targets may be hampered by slow manufacturing process

Sony may be forced to drastically cut its PS3 unit shipments for the launch of the console in November, due to a shortage of blue laser diodes.

The manufacturing arm of Sony has reportedly suspended shipment of the diodes to its customers making HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movie players, in order to use them in the construction of its own PlayStation 3.

Manufacturers of blue laser diodes, which feature in the optical drives of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players, have been unable to improve yield rates, according to a report on DigiTimes. This has led to the shortage of diodes, with the supply not expected to be back on track until Spring 2007.

Kaz Hirai, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America recently clarified that the company hopes to ship two million units of the PlayStation 3 worldwide for the console launch, with a further two million due by the end of the year.

lol. to be hones i think blu-ray will be the next beta max!. DVD and HD wlill lead the way.

I can't say this surprises me really, my faith in Sony has all ready taken a nosedive. I mean, sure, the blue ray technology looks good but with the PS3 I think it might be too much style over substance in terms of that what makes a game great is the actual gameplay, no flashy graphics.

So the 600$ launch price is pretty unreal for someone like me, an unemplyed student.

Now it seems even the die ahrd sony fans might have (even more) problems with getting a PS3.

It will probably be another beta max... better than the HD-DVD but not as popular... although with Blu-Rays backing, it could be the other way round... the marketing of the products and prices possibly will decide which of them will suceed...

I dont think they shoulf make maks alot of independent technologies anyway, the all end up becoming merged anyway, I think there should be a universal consorium on storage media.