The Blu-ray high definition DVD format could face an uphill battle to become the dominant force in Europe after one manufacturer admitted that it may be next year before it has products ready for market. 

Blu-ray backer Pioneer was expected to launch the players at the IFA trade show in Berlin in September. 

However, Pioneer now expects to use the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to kick-start its European launch, according to a report in today's Taipei Times. 

The competing HD-DVD format could use this delay to its advantage, as Toshiba claims that its HD-DVD products will be ready to debut at the IFA show. 

Toshiba has not yet released any specs for its player nor given any indication of what the device will cost, but the company said that it will announce these details in September.