Toshiba Refuses to Deny Abandoning HD-DVD
Wal-Mart drops HD DVD, Toshiba rumoured to surrender format war
According to news agency Reuters, Toshiba is set to abandon HD DVD after a series of setbacks for the high-def format which it backs.
A report from the service reads, "a Toshiba source told Reuters the Japanese company is planning to give up on its HD DVD format, conceding defeat to Blu-ray."‡
Microsoft, which has supported HD-DVD with the Xbox 360, has yet to comment.
Meanwhile, The Times‡‡ reports that "members of the HD-DVD consortium, which is the 135-strong corporate alliance formed to promote the Toshiba format of next-generation DVDs, told The Times that they expected the group’s 'total collapse' within the next few weeks."
Toshiba has not confirmed that it will ditch HD-DVD, but has said that it will review its strategy related to the format - so it is not denying it either. One Toshiba insider reportedly told Yahoo News that a board meeting on the subject could be held as soon as Tuesday±.
The latest setback for the HD-DVD format comes in the form of US retail giant Wal-Mart dropping HD-DVD products from its shelves. As of June, when existing stock has depleted, Wal-Mart - North America's largest DVD retailer - will no longer sell products from the format championed by Toshiba.
While the full transition will be complete by summer, Wal-Mart tells us, "in less than 30 days customers will see a more predominant move toward Blu-ray in stores, clubs and online."
"We’ve listened to our customers, who are showing a clear preference toward Blu-ray products and movies with their purchases", said Gary Severson, senior VP of Home Entertainment for Wal-Mart US "With the customers best interest in all we do, we wanted to share our decision and timeline with them as soon as possible, knowing it will help simplify their purchase decision, increase selection, and increase adoption long term. We anticipate enhancing our selection with continued great values in hi-definition Blu-ray products, so our customers can further enhance their entertainment experience at home."
His comments echo those of president and COO of US electronics retailer Best Buy, Brian Dunn, when Best Buy announced that it would favour Blu-ray over HD DVD.
Another major player that has recently jumped on board the Blu-ray bandwagon is online US rental service, Netflix.
“The fat lady has sung”, uttered Rob Enderle, a technology industry analyst in Silicon Valley and president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group. "Wal-Mart is the biggest player in the DVD market. If it says HD DVD is done, you can take that as a fact."†
SPOnG has contacted Microsoft to see if it will continue to support HD DVD, but at the time of press no comment was available.
Source: ‡Reuters, ‡‡The Times, ±Yahoo News,†New York Times
A report from the service reads, "a Toshiba source told Reuters the Japanese company is planning to give up on its HD DVD format, conceding defeat to Blu-ray."‡
Microsoft, which has supported HD-DVD with the Xbox 360, has yet to comment.
Meanwhile, The Times‡‡ reports that "members of the HD-DVD consortium, which is the 135-strong corporate alliance formed to promote the Toshiba format of next-generation DVDs, told The Times that they expected the group’s 'total collapse' within the next few weeks."
Toshiba has not confirmed that it will ditch HD-DVD, but has said that it will review its strategy related to the format - so it is not denying it either. One Toshiba insider reportedly told Yahoo News that a board meeting on the subject could be held as soon as Tuesday±.
The latest setback for the HD-DVD format comes in the form of US retail giant Wal-Mart dropping HD-DVD products from its shelves. As of June, when existing stock has depleted, Wal-Mart - North America's largest DVD retailer - will no longer sell products from the format championed by Toshiba.
While the full transition will be complete by summer, Wal-Mart tells us, "in less than 30 days customers will see a more predominant move toward Blu-ray in stores, clubs and online."
"We’ve listened to our customers, who are showing a clear preference toward Blu-ray products and movies with their purchases", said Gary Severson, senior VP of Home Entertainment for Wal-Mart US "With the customers best interest in all we do, we wanted to share our decision and timeline with them as soon as possible, knowing it will help simplify their purchase decision, increase selection, and increase adoption long term. We anticipate enhancing our selection with continued great values in hi-definition Blu-ray products, so our customers can further enhance their entertainment experience at home."
His comments echo those of president and COO of US electronics retailer Best Buy, Brian Dunn, when Best Buy announced that it would favour Blu-ray over HD DVD.
Another major player that has recently jumped on board the Blu-ray bandwagon is online US rental service, Netflix.
“The fat lady has sung”, uttered Rob Enderle, a technology industry analyst in Silicon Valley and president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group. "Wal-Mart is the biggest player in the DVD market. If it says HD DVD is done, you can take that as a fact."†
SPOnG has contacted Microsoft to see if it will continue to support HD DVD, but at the time of press no comment was available.
Source: ‡Reuters, ‡‡The Times, ±Yahoo News,†New York Times
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Comments
HyperTails 18 Feb 2008 10:38
1/13
It was always a matter of time before HD-DVD collapsed. Blu-ray was always the better format and Sony putting it in the PlayStation 3 ensured doom for HD-DVD from day 1.
Well, that's one obstacle out of the way, now hopefully the PS3's momentum will carry on and the PS3 will show that it really is the best console out.
Well, that's one obstacle out of the way, now hopefully the PS3's momentum will carry on and the PS3 will show that it really is the best console out.
Coxy 18 Feb 2008 12:01
2/13
HyperTails wrote:
It was always a matter of time before HD-DVD collapsed. Blu-ray was always the better format and Sony putting it in the PlayStation 3 ensured doom for HD-DVD from day 1.
Well, that's one obstacle out of the way, now hopefully the PS3's momentum will carry on and the PS3 will show that it really is the best console out.
Well, that's one obstacle out of the way, now hopefully the PS3's momentum will carry on and the PS3 will show that it really is the best console out.
This has little, if anything to do with Consoles, the article concerns the format wars.
In regard to Sony including Blu-Ray playback spelling instant victory for Blu-Ray, just remember it could've gone either way, not that it makes a lot of difference to gamers.
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SuperSaiyan4 18 Feb 2008 12:03
3/13
I still believe that HD-DVD is and always will be the best format, it uses a really good name that makes sense, it also offers the best features that blu-ray does not have.
I guess if blu-ray does win dont forget this is NOT Sony's format Sony are 1 of the backers of who initiated blu-ray via testing of technologies and believe there are around 9 in the association.
Any how from what I know those with blu-ray players apparently will need an actual new player once the newer Java+ version is released whereas with hd-dvd its all done via firmware.
Am just keen on knowing where hd-dvd owners stand now, i am looking forward to cheap hd-dvd's however since i love anime/manga guess its gonna be blu-ray then.
I guess if blu-ray does win dont forget this is NOT Sony's format Sony are 1 of the backers of who initiated blu-ray via testing of technologies and believe there are around 9 in the association.
Any how from what I know those with blu-ray players apparently will need an actual new player once the newer Java+ version is released whereas with hd-dvd its all done via firmware.
Am just keen on knowing where hd-dvd owners stand now, i am looking forward to cheap hd-dvd's however since i love anime/manga guess its gonna be blu-ray then.
Earl 18 Feb 2008 12:12
4/13
I would be interested in how much Sony money has gone into "The Marketing Budget" at the big retailers that are ditching HD DVD.
Bentley 18 Feb 2008 12:50
5/13
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
I still believe that HD-DVD is and always will be the best format, it uses a really good name that makes sense, it also offers the best features that blu-ray does not have.
I guess if blu-ray does win dont forget this is NOT Sony's format Sony are 1 of the backers of who initiated blu-ray via testing of technologies and believe there are around 9 in the association.
Any how from what I know those with blu-ray players apparently will need an actual new player once the newer Java+ version is released whereas with hd-dvd its all done via firmware.
Am just keen on knowing where hd-dvd owners stand now, i am looking forward to cheap hd-dvd's however since i love anime/manga guess its gonna be blu-ray then.
I guess if blu-ray does win dont forget this is NOT Sony's format Sony are 1 of the backers of who initiated blu-ray via testing of technologies and believe there are around 9 in the association.
Any how from what I know those with blu-ray players apparently will need an actual new player once the newer Java+ version is released whereas with hd-dvd its all done via firmware.
Am just keen on knowing where hd-dvd owners stand now, i am looking forward to cheap hd-dvd's however since i love anime/manga guess its gonna be blu-ray then.
You obviously know jack-s**t. Blu-ray players can be updated via firmware updates, particularly PS3. This means they can incorporate new features. Blu-ray has a higher storage capacity than HD-DVD (which is an unimaginative and b******s name, by the way, and probably helped doom the format due to confusion from non-technical consumers who didn't understand why they should get a new DVD player to play them, for example). I heard that HD-DVD discs are easier to scratch. So what's the great thing about HD-DVD? Oooh, picture-in-picture? That feature that only geeks and obsessives will really use and will be in Blu-Ray anyway due to the expandability of the format.
And what a petty shout of "remember it's not Sony's format". You're simply being an idiot once again. Grow up and accept the facts: your choice of format, and choice of console, are on the way out. Enjoy the five cheap HD-DVD movies that will be available. The format is dead and before long nothing else will be available from it.
SuperSaiyan4 18 Feb 2008 13:07
6/13
I actually know more than you and more than you ever will thats a fact.
Look around its all on the net people keep saying that once hte newer version of blu-ray discs are out apparently your gonna need a new blu-ray player.
Is this information I know for a fact? No its something I keep seeing on the net.
I dont know about which one is easier to scratch I dont waste my time trying out that...Not a sensible thing to do if you ask me *munches popcorn*
HD-DVD is a better name and offers better in-movie experience than blu-ray.
HD-DVD is the best.
Look around its all on the net people keep saying that once hte newer version of blu-ray discs are out apparently your gonna need a new blu-ray player.
Is this information I know for a fact? No its something I keep seeing on the net.
I dont know about which one is easier to scratch I dont waste my time trying out that...Not a sensible thing to do if you ask me *munches popcorn*
HD-DVD is a better name and offers better in-movie experience than blu-ray.
HD-DVD is the best.
HyperTails 18 Feb 2008 15:23
7/13
Yes, and the PS3 was dragged into the format wars, because its success hinged on Blu-ray's future. Now there's no competition, so surely it will pick up even more steam now?
DoctorDee 18 Feb 2008 15:36
8/13
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
HD-DVD is the best.
So was Betamax... Didn't help!
Rutabaga 18 Feb 2008 16:04
9/13
DoctorDee wrote:
SuperSaiyan4 wrote:
HD-DVD is the best.
So was Betamax... Didn't help!
Yes but it's only SuperSaiyan4 and 5 other people who says HD-DVD is best. Blu-Ray has greater storage capacity, so thankfully the technically superior format has succeeded this time.
DoctorDee 18 Feb 2008 16:17
10/13
Rutabaga wrote:
Yes but it's only SuperSaiyan4 and 5 other people who says HD-DVD is best. Blu-Ray has greater storage capacity, so thankfully the technically superior format has succeeded this time.
Oh, I don't actually think HD-DVD is best. But SuperSaiyan has shown that using facts and truth doesn't work with him.
But one thing even HE can't argue with - it doesn't matter which format is best, it only matters which wins. And that's Blu-ray.
p 18 Feb 2008 20:36
11/13
DoctorDee wrote:
Rutabaga wrote:
Yes but it's only SuperSaiyan4 and 5 other people who says HD-DVD is best. Blu-Ray has greater storage capacity, so thankfully the technically superior format has succeeded this time.
Oh, I don't actually think HD-DVD is best. But SuperSaiyan has shown that using facts and truth doesn't work with him.
But one thing even HE can't argue with - it doesn't matter which format is best, it only matters which wins. And that's Blu-ray.
Blu-Ray’s victory may well prove to be a hollow one as the various download services gathering pace now could well swamp it before Sony sees a profit. Think about it MiniDisc v DCC = MP3 wins, SACD v DVD-A = ipod wins. Format wars don’t work the way they used to and MS knows it, Apple knows it and so should Sony.
tyrion 18 Feb 2008 21:41
12/13
p wrote:
Think about it MiniDisc v DCC = MP3 wins, SACD v DVD-A = ipod wins. Format wars don’t work the way they used to and MS knows it, Apple knows it and so should Sony.
There's a big difference between an MP3 file at 5-6MB and even an SD-res DivX file at 700-800MB.
Make no mistake, digital downloads will come - but not before the Blu-ray backers have made their money back.
Maybe just in time for the PS4. :-)
p 19 Feb 2008 21:02
13/13
tyrion wrote:
p wrote:
Think about it MiniDisc v DCC = MP3 wins, SACD v DVD-A = ipod wins. Format wars don’t work the way they used to and MS knows it, Apple knows it and so should Sony.
There's a big difference between an MP3 file at 5-6MB and even an SD-res DivX file at 700-800MB.
Make no mistake, digital downloads will come - but not before the Blu-ray backers have made their money back.
Maybe just in time for the PS4. :-)
Big difference, there maybe but the average consumer in the past has rarely chosen quality over convenience especially when their told the convenient choice is as good or better, e.g. vinyl v CD and CD v ipod. Add to this it’s not just PC based options that offer down loads and broadcasts of films in HD or otherwise, I’m thinking Sky, Virgin, BT and Xbox. I mean it was still easier and cheaper for me to download the film 300 in HD onto my 360 than to go out and buy it.