Sony has announced that it will release the first Blu-ray movie discs to stores on 23 May. The company has already announced that the discs will cost $23.45, a 15 to 20 per cent increase over current DVDs, with older titles priced at $17.95.

The launch is timed to coincide with the release of the first Blu-ray player from Samsung.

"As a charter member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce the first commercially available Blu-ray disc player, the BD-P1000, on 23 May," said Jim Sanduski, senior vice president of marketing at Samsung Electronics America.

Sony and Pioneer will release drives later this year and the Playstation 3 will be capable of playing Blu-ray discs, although the release date for the console remains in doubt.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment will release eight Blu-ray titles, including The Fifth Element, Resident Evil Apocalypse and XXX.

Another set of films will be issued on 13 June, including Legends of the Fall, Robocop, Species and Terminator.

Meanwhile 20th Century Fox will release 20 films on Blu-ray in 2006, including The Fantastic Four, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Behind Enemy Lines and Ice Age.

The studio also plans simultaneous releases of its future films on Blu-ray as the format takes hold and household penetration grows.

"Blu-ray is the superior high definition technology that fully delivers on the promise of a next-generation format and represents the bright future of home entertainment," said Mike Dunn, worldwide president at 20th Century Fox.

"The release of our films on Blu-ray will provide consumers with in-home entertainment beyond anything they have imagined."