News
Toshiba scraps HD-DVD as hi-def war ends
Ben Parfitt Feb 17 2008, 7:39pm
Comments (18)
Blu-Ray celebrates vital hi-def victory as Toshiba pulls out of HD-DVD production; eight-figure losses predicted for firm
It’s official – the hi-def format war is over, with news of Toshiba’s decision to cease production of HD-DVD equipment, handing victory to Sony’s Blu-Ray technology.
Reuters reports that the news was broken by Japanese broadcaster NHK, with the outlet predicting that Toshiba’s losses could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. The firm will continue to sell its existing hardware but will not fund resources for further product development.
This decisive development follows a string of high profile studios and retailers abandoning the format, lead by the devastating defection of Warner and subsequent abandonment by the likes of Best Buy and Netflix in the US and Woolworths in the UK.
The victory could also prove to be a turning point in the next-gen console battle, with Sony’s PS3 instantly gaining another notch on its hi-tech bedpost.
Comments
“Reduced Prices”
Posted by: XYBA Podcast - Feb 17, 11:23pm
This is awesome. I own an HD-DVD player, so hopefully the prices for movies will become dirt cheap.
“Re: Reduced Prices”
Posted: Feb 17, 11:59pm
urm its great for me as i own a ps3! i cant understand why you think having something with no new films coming out is good news... weirdo
“Re: Reduced Prices”
Posted by: Charlie - Feb 18, 12:14am
I can' t believe either of you jumped in until the war was over, did we learn nothing from the Italians?
“Re: Reduced Prices”
Posted by: Mike - Feb 18, 8:55am
good news for Sony. Yay, now concentrate on games!
“Re: Name change needed! Upgrade? Blueray said NO!”
Posted by: Dan - Feb 18, 9:08am
Now all they need to do is call it HD Blueray or Blueray HD. Oh and tell everyone that the first batch of players V1 dont work with V1.5 and V2 coming out very soon!
Just go in to currys and hear the sales man.... Oh yes this is blue ray its like dvd but abit better! Oh this is HD DVD this is for HD tv's its very clear and smooth!
Give it 6 more months and i will think about getting a V2 HD Blueray! LOL
“Re: Name change needed! Upgrade? Blueray said NO!”
Posted by: Willypiggy - Feb 18, 9:18am
Awesome, I'm definitely looking forward to some Blu-Ray anime this year :)
“Re: Name change needed! Upgrade? Blueray said NO!”
Posted: Feb 18, 9:57am
Annoying if you have paid out the for the Xbox HD-DVD drive. Personally, I blame Microsoft for not doing enough. Why in the world didn't they try and put this player into the 360.
“I just rang Toshiba”
Posted by: Chuck Norris - Feb 18, 9:59am
They are saying its a false report and they are still backing HD-DVD.
Ring them on 08704 424 424
“Re: Name change needed! Upgrade? Blueray said NO!”
Posted by: Dan - Feb 18, 10:07am
I still cant see why they never saved everyone the time and money and just made one format! They had the big meetings and picked 2 roads to go down. One is going to lose they should of just picked one format to start with. They only have there selfs to blame. They cant blame us for not buying something that some films or on one and some on the other!
I dont think PS3 made them win.
Lets hope the next format war is won in the meeting room and save the world the wait.
I rest my case!
“False story”
Posted by: Sam - Feb 18, 10:31am
The story is false :
http://www.gamesin...33204
“Re: False story”
Posted by: Ben@MCV - Feb 18, 10:44am
@10
No it is not. Read what Toshiba has to say - which MCV has reported at http://www.mcvuk.c...death
They have neither confirmed nor denied, but confirmation is expected shortly. Probably tomorrow.
“Re: Name change needed! Upgrade? Blueray said NO!”
Posted: Feb 18, 10:47am
""""an' t believe either of you jumped in until the war was over, did we learn nothing from the Italians?"""
cant really understand this.
Is it something related to winning the worldcup ?
“Re: Name change needed! Upgrade? Blueray said NO!”
Posted by: _-MrT-_ - Feb 18, 11:12am
It's a reference to the war. Look it up - you might learn a little.
“Re: False story”
Posted by: Sam - Feb 18, 1:12pm
It is false, when you write that it's official.
"It’s official – the hi-def format war is over, with news of Toshiba’s decision to cease production of HD-DVD equipment, handing victory to Sony’s Blu-Ray technology."
Nothing is official... yet.
“Re: False story”
Posted by: CaptMalarkey - Feb 18, 6:55pm
They didn't put a HD-DVD drive into the 360 because they would get the same frame rate issues that the PS3 is getting. Hence why PS3 games need to store so much information on the hard drive (Devil May Cry 4 anyone, lots of sandwiches can be made in 45 minutes).
I own a HD-DVD add-on for my 360 and it's brilliant. I've got no problems buying a Blu-Ray player, I just loved the fact that all the HD-DVD movies were region free and I could buy them and get them sent to the UK for half of the UK retail price.
It looks as though I'll have to buy a PS3 now, and I think I will be getting a US one when I go there in a few months so I can get films for half the price and a lot earlier than here in the UK (and hopefully HD-DVD's will be dirt cheap when I get there as well) :)
“Re: False story”
Posted by: Bowen - Feb 19, 10:07am
Toshiba made the official press release
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2008_02/pr1903.htm
“Re: False story”
Posted by: Betamax Bob - Feb 19, 4:01pm
You bluray boys will have an even longer wait for titles such as Matrix,Transformers,Batman begins etc now!,there are 400+ titles on HD DVD that will be shifted at silly prices in the next few months & its not like they are going to wear out or expire.Play have slashed the Toshiba EP30 to £80 with 2 free HD DVDs already.
“Re: False story”
Posted by: _-MrT-_ - Feb 20, 2:05pm
*YAWN* Your fanboy nonsense irks me......