The first China-made Blu-ray music video disc, Ai Tu Lan, was released in April, 2008.

By Keen Zhang
China.org.cn columnist
zhangr@china.org.cn

When Toshiba, the major backer of HD DVD, announced that it would cease supporting this format in February 2008, the 7-year-long format war between HD and Blu-ray effectively came to an end. The focus for Blu-ray manufacturers now turns to the next huge world market.

On July 8, the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and its contributing member CESI Technology announced the establishment of China's first Blu-ray Disc Testing Center.

Dr. Zhao Xiaoying of CESI Technology told China.org.cn today that the Center is already operational. The center will test BD-ROM movie players from Chinese manufacturers and provide data to BDA. This will shorten the lead time for product development and market launch of fully compliant BD products for Blu-ray Disc product manufacturers.

Dr. Zhao added that according to BDA's rules, any manufacturers wishing to produce and sell products bearing the Blu-ray logo must perform compliant self-testing in accordance with evaluation standards, and send their products to the Center for approval and recognition. Once BDA is satisfied that the manufacturer's self-test results are consistent with those of the Testing Center, they will permit manufacturers to use the Blu-ray logo.

Although he did not provide any names, Dr. Zhao revealed that dozens of Chinese companies already have the BDA product criteria and will start development and manufacturing around Blu-ray. 14 companies already hold licenses to produce BD players.

"We are extremely pleased that CESI Technology has joined the Blu-ray Disc Association as a Contributor member," said Sumitaka Matsumura, chair of BDA's China Task Force, on July 8. "The BDA continues to work hard to bring high definition to Chinese consumers and this development with CESI Technology is another significant indication of the strong support for the Blu-ray Disc format in China. The establishment of an official Test Center in China is critical to the acceptance of Blu-ray Disc in China by industry and consumers, and so we very much look forward to the contribution of CESI Technology."

On the same day Zhao Xinhua, president of CESI Technology, commented that Blu-ray Disc is the successor to DVD, presenting new business opportunities for the Chinese consumer electronics industry.