Lions Gate Home Entertainment is expected to announce today that it plans to produce next-generation digital video discs using Blu-ray technology developed by Sony and others.

The latest release, Divertimenti (2L, 2008), featuring pieces by Britten and Bartók, also marks the first ever audio-only release on Blu-ray technology.

While Sony says Blu-ray technology is available to those willing to pay, it admits to heavily screening newcomers.

"Blu-ray technology guarantees the highest graphic quality," said Jack Tretton, executive vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Sony will likely use Blu-ray technology in the next generation of PlayStation machines, which may be unveiled sometime next year.

More important, Microsoft may be loath to give its rival, Sony, a market for its Blu-ray technology.

Blu-ray technology uses a different encryption.

The companies said they had not ruled out incorporating Blu-ray technology in their operating systems and on their chips in the future.

Blu-ray technology emerges.

Read about Blu-ray technology, DVRs, TiVo, Netflix and more.