Sony’s BDP-S1 Blu-ray disc player has been delayed from its October 25 launch date, according to a Sony spokesperson, because of a software problem inside the hardware of the unit.

“This is a specific software function that resides in the hardware,” the spokesperson said, stating that the delay has nothing to do with production of the Blu-ray laser diode, which has plagued production of Sony’s PlayStation 3 as well as Blu-ray products from other manufacturers. The problem is “specifically related to the functionality of the unit,” the spokesperson said.

While the spokesperson would not give an exact date for when the unit will be shipping to retailers, SonyStyle.com (another unit of Sony Corp.) has listed the unit as pushed back to on or about December 4, 2006.

The number of units shipping has not been adjusted, and the delay is not expected to affect Sony’s holiday season plans.

This is not the first delay for the unit. The BDP-S1 was originally expected to ship in June, but delayed until August and then again until October.

For more information on Blu-ray and HD DVD, visit our High-Def DVD Special Report.