They'll be out in June, honest

Films in the Blu-ray high-definition format will not be released until 20 June, following an agreement by manufacturers.

Sony said that its first films will be ready by the original release date of 23 May, but that it has been asked to hold off until its hardware and retail partners are ready for launch on 20 June.

This date also coincides with the release of the first Blu-ray player which Samsung expects to be in the shops on 25 June.

The further Blu-ray delay comes despite the fact that the competing HD-DVD format already has some film titles on sale in shops.

Sony's first titles to be released on 20 June are Underworld Evolution, XXX: State of the Union, The Fifth Element, A Knight's Tale, 50 First Dates, The Last Waltz, Hitch, House of Flying Daggers and Resident Evil: Apocalypse.