Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is releasing 30 titles on high-definition Blu-ray discs in the mainland China market, making it the first studio to distribute the new format in the territory.

The releases will coincide with Sony Electronic's introduction of the BDP-S350 model Blu-ray player to the Chinese market on Nov 21.

Titles available at launch willinclude Hancock, Kung Fu Hustle and the Spider-Man trilogy, along with library titles such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind and In The Line Of Fire.

'We're thrilled to be the first to offer the high-quality HD product that discerning Chinese customers demand and deserve,' said SPHE's senior vice president, international, T Paul Miller.

SPHE is partnering with local Shanghai-based distributor Excel Media on the releases. Consumers will be able to buy them at participating retailers for around $30 (RMB205).

We believed that transforming to high definition of the home entertainment experience is an essential trend nowadays,' said Excel general manager Kenny Ling.

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