After falling from the ranks of the world's biggest laptop computer makers this year, Japan's Toshiba Corp is set to make a debut on making notebook computers that doubles as a TV.

Toshiba, according to Framingham, Massachusetts based market researcher IDC corp, dropped from the ranks of the world's five largest laptop makers in the first quarter of 2004. But Toshiba vice president Atsutoshi Nishida expects laptops to become the control centre for home-entertainment systems.

According IDC Corp, Notebook computer shipments this year are expected to grow by 22.5 per cent as compared to 12.9 per cent for the market including desktops.

Nishida was quoted in media reports in Taipei stating that they need to meet the requirements of different television broadcast systems worldwide.

He was quoted saying that Europe, the US and Japan use different broadcast formats with which Toshiba aims to comply.

While Barry Lam chairman of Quanta Computer Inc, maker of notebook computers was quoted stating that the plan to allow video-input products such as digital camcorders and still cameras from different manufacturers to combine with televisions will need one device to control everything.

The company has not yet declared as to when the TV-equipped notebooks will be available.