Toshiba has been forced to put back the UK release of its HD-E1 and HD-XE1 HD DVD players thanks to what it called a "minor reliability issue" with one of the machines' internal components. Due to ship this month, the HD-E1 will now arrive in December.

Likewise, the HD-EX1, originally scheduled to ship before Christmas will now appear in shops in January 2007, Toshiba said in a statement.

"During final production testing of the HD-E1 model HD DVD player this month, Toshiba engineers have identified a minor reliability issue with an outsourced LSI component," the company said. "This component is being replaced before the HD-E1 is released to consumers."

Interestingly, Toshiba said of the HD-E1: "A quantity of units will be shipped for retail in December." Its need to stress the point suggests to us that "quantity" may be limited.

Separately, Toshiba unveiled the Japanese equivalents of the two UK machines, the HD-XF2 and HD-XA2, in its native land today. Both models will ship "late December". ®