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Support for high-definition encoding will be a feature of QuickTime 7, to be released with Mac OS X 10.4, and its H.264 video codec. Incidentally that is the same codec used by the rival to Blu-ray, HD-DVD,

High-definition drives are capable of storing up to 50GB of data on single disc by using a finer blue laser, rather than the red used in DVD and CD drives.

'Apple has a long history of technical innovation around DVD hardware and software, and their support of the Blu-ray Disc format is a testament to their commitment of ongoing innovation. The Blu-ray Disc format provides the immense capacity and the revolutionary functionality that Apple's loyal customer base will be sure to enjoy,' said Maureen Weber, chief BDA spokesperson. 'We're thrilled about Apple joining our 16-member board, and we look forward to working with them on the development and promotion of the Blu-ray Disc format.'

High-definition storage

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fits well with Apple's adoption of HD technology across its three video editing applications - iMovie, Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro - and its pioneering work in desktop DVD creation with iDVD and DVD Studio Pro.

'Apple is pleased to join the Blu-ray Disc Association board as part of our efforts to drive consumer adoption of HD,'said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. 'Consumers are already creating stunning HD content with Apple's leading video editing applications like iMovie HD and are anxiously awaiting a way to burn their own high def DVDs.'

The announcement is unlikely to mean that Blu-ray drives will be coming to a Power Mac near you in the very near future. That said, Apple surprised everyone when it first put a DVD burner in a Mac and it would be typical of the company to lead with the new technology.

It may also have an impact on film studios' decisions on which format to adopt for future movie releases. Until now they have been split, with Sony, MGM and Disney lining up behind Blu-ray and Paramount, Universal, Warner and New Line Cinema backing HD-DVD. Apple's reputation is flying high on the back of iTunes and iPod and is proven record in pioneering successful technologies - USB, FireWire, Wi-FI, to name but three - may yet persuade some HD-DVD backers to switch.

To the end user, this may all prove academic. Drive and player makers are unlikely to take sides and are likely to focus on producing multi-purpose drives capable of reading and writing the gamut of optical formats.