Toshiba to give up on HD DVD, end format war: source - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

theshark8777 · 02-16-2008, 07:46 PM

It's over, sadly the one I wanted lost.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp (6502.T) is planning to give up on its HD DVD format for high definition DVDs, conceding defeat to the competing Blu-Ray technology backed by Sony Corp (6758.T), a company source said on Saturday.

The move will likely put an end to a battle that has gone on for several years between consortiums led by Toshiba and Sony vying to set the standard for the next-generation DVD and compatible video equipment.

The format war, often compared to the Betamax-VHS battle in the 1980s, has confused consumers unsure of which DVD or player to buy, slowing the development what is expected to be a multibillion dollar high definition DVD industry.

Toshiba's cause has suffered several setbacks in recent weeks including Friday's announcement by U.S. retailing giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) that it would abandon the HD DVD format and only stock its shelves with Blu-ray movies.

A source at Toshiba confirmed an earlier report by public broadcaster NHK that it was getting ready to pull the plug.

"We have entered the final stage of planning to make our exit from the next generation DVD business," said the source, who asked not to be identified. He added that an official announcement could come as early as next week.

No one answered the phone at Toshiba's public relations office in Tokyo.

NHK said Toshiba would suffer losses running to tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars) to scrap production of HD DVD players and recorders and other steps to withdraw from the business.

Hollywood studios had initially split their alliances between the two camps, meaning only certain films would play on any one DVD machine.

The balance of power tipped decisively toward the Sony camp in January after Time Warner Inc's (TWX.N) Warner Bros studio said it would only release high-definition DVDs in Blu-ray format. With that, studios behind some three-quarters of DVDs are backing Blu-ray, although some release in both formats.

Toshiba responded by slashing prices of HD DVD players, but the loss of retail support has hurt.

In addition to Wal-Mart, consumer electronics chain Best Buy Co Inc (BBY.N) and online video rental company Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) also recently signed up to the Blu-ray camp.

The exclusive backing of Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) was also put in doubt when the software giant said in January that it could consider supporting Blu-ray technology for its Xbox 360 video game machine, which currently works only with HD DVD.

Sony has spent large sums of money to promote Blu-ray in tandem with its flat screen TVs and its PlayStation 3 game console, which can play Blu-ray movies.

The Toshiba source said the experience would not be a total loss for the sprawling conglomerate, whose products range from refrigerators to power plants, which would learn valuable lessons.

"Marketing was a weak point for Toshiba. We learned a lot from HD DVD. Strengthening marketing will continue to be an issue for us going forward," the source said.

Dean Winchester · 02-16-2008, 08:17 PM

I read the other day that Wal-Mart was going to stop carrying HD-DVD as well

theshark8777 · 02-16-2008, 10:25 PM

HD DVD is dead. No one is going to carry it, so anyone who bought a HD DVD player is screwed, a la Betamax.

dawsongirl · 02-16-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

So the only type of dvds available will be blu-ray? That's messed up. So people won't be able to buy the regular dvds or dvd players?

No no no. Regular DVDs/player will still be around. It's just of you want HD DVDs, they'll all be Blu-Ray.

Dean Winchester · 02-16-2008, 11:37 PM

seems like Best Buy is still obsessed with pushing HD-DVD players tho

theshark8777 · 02-17-2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

No no no. Regular DVDs/player will still be around. It's just of you want HD DVDs, they'll all be Blu-Ray.

Yes, my fault. I meant for the next gen. As far as I know Blu Ray players play regular DVDs also.

dawsongirl · 02-17-2008, 02:05 AM

If they put TV shows on Blu-Ray, I might get one. But right now, a Blu-Ray player is totally worthless to me.

Sony lost the Betamax war, but won the HDDVD one. whatdaya know...

dawsongirl · 03-21-2008, 02:24 PM

$50?? That's kind of paltry considering what those people paid for those machines.

theshark8777 · 03-21-2008, 04:43 PM

Well it's not best buy's fault they were discontinued. BB has no obligation to give anything back technically.

dawsongirl · 03-22-2008, 12:08 AM

I know. I can just see someone pissed that all they get is $50.

theshark8777 · 03-22-2008, 11:49 AM

I also think that is why lots of people held off on buying a HD DVD or Blu Ray player. I know it's why I did.

Dean Winchester · 03-22-2008, 03:28 PM

well, $50 isn't a total refund, but consider that HD-DVD wasn't a TOTAL bust. There were hundreds of good titles that will still be able to work, so it'd be like laserdisc or CED or Beta where new titles will go away soon but existing titles should keep working.

junecleaver · 03-22-2008, 04:44 PM

Just leave me my regular dvds and i'll be happy. Blu-ray, High Definition, for the birds. I like to be smart about my money and i refuse to spend extra on a HD dvd when i consider regular dvds to be perfectly clear.

Mr. Television · 03-22-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junecleaver

Just leave me my regular dvds and i'll be happy. Blu-ray, High Definition, for the birds. I like to be smart about my money and i refuse to spend extra on a HD dvd when i consider regular dvds to be perfectly clear.

That's pretty much the way I am. I don't like having to buy the same movie over and over again in different formats.

02-16-2008, 07:46 PM	#1
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Toshiba to give up on HD DVD, end format war: source It's over, sadly the one I wanted lost. TOKYO (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp (6502.T) is planning to give up on its HD DVD format for high definition DVDs, conceding defeat to the competing Blu-Ray technology backed by Sony Corp (6758.T), a company source said on Saturday. The move will likely put an end to a battle that has gone on for several years between consortiums led by Toshiba and Sony vying to set the standard for the next-generation DVD and compatible video equipment. The format war, often compared to the Betamax-VHS battle in the 1980s, has confused consumers unsure of which DVD or player to buy, slowing the development what is expected to be a multibillion dollar high definition DVD industry. Toshiba's cause has suffered several setbacks in recent weeks including Friday's announcement by U.S. retailing giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) that it would abandon the HD DVD format and only stock its shelves with Blu-ray movies. A source at Toshiba confirmed an earlier report by public broadcaster NHK that it was getting ready to pull the plug. "We have entered the final stage of planning to make our exit from the next generation DVD business," said the source, who asked not to be identified. He added that an official announcement could come as early as next week. No one answered the phone at Toshiba's public relations office in Tokyo. NHK said Toshiba would suffer losses running to tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars) to scrap production of HD DVD players and recorders and other steps to withdraw from the business. Hollywood studios had initially split their alliances between the two camps, meaning only certain films would play on any one DVD machine. The balance of power tipped decisively toward the Sony camp in January after Time Warner Inc's (TWX.N) Warner Bros studio said it would only release high-definition DVDs in Blu-ray format. With that, studios behind some three-quarters of DVDs are backing Blu-ray, although some release in both formats. Toshiba responded by slashing prices of HD DVD players, but the loss of retail support has hurt. In addition to Wal-Mart, consumer electronics chain Best Buy Co Inc (BBY.N) and online video rental company Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) also recently signed up to the Blu-ray camp. The exclusive backing of Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) was also put in doubt when the software giant said in January that it could consider supporting Blu-ray technology for its Xbox 360 video game machine, which currently works only with HD DVD. Sony has spent large sums of money to promote Blu-ray in tandem with its flat screen TVs and its PlayStation 3 game console, which can play Blu-ray movies. The Toshiba source said the experience would not be a total loss for the sprawling conglomerate, whose products range from refrigerators to power plants, which would learn valuable lessons. "Marketing was a weak point for Toshiba. We learned a lot from HD DVD. Strengthening marketing will continue to be an issue for us going forward," the source said.
	__________________ Who ate all the pecan Sandies??

02-16-2008, 08:17 PM	#2
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I read the other day that Wal-Mart was going to stop carrying HD-DVD as well

02-16-2008, 10:25 PM	#3
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	HD DVD is dead. No one is going to carry it, so anyone who bought a HD DVD player is screwed, a la Betamax.

02-16-2008, 11:37 PM	#5
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	seems like Best Buy is still obsessed with pushing HD-DVD players tho

02-17-2008, 02:05 AM	#7
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	If they put TV shows on Blu-Ray, I might get one. But right now, a Blu-Ray player is totally worthless to me. Sony lost the Betamax war, but won the HDDVD one. whatdaya know...

03-21-2008, 02:24 PM	#8
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	$50?? That's kind of paltry considering what those people paid for those machines.

03-21-2008, 04:43 PM	#9
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Well it's not best buy's fault they were discontinued. BB has no obligation to give anything back technically.

03-22-2008, 12:08 AM	#10
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	I know. I can just see someone pissed that all they get is $50.

03-22-2008, 11:49 AM	#11
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	I also think that is why lots of people held off on buying a HD DVD or Blu Ray player. I know it's why I did.

03-22-2008, 03:28 PM	#12
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	well, $50 isn't a total refund, but consider that HD-DVD wasn't a TOTAL bust. There were hundreds of good titles that will still be able to work, so it'd be like laserdisc or CED or Beta where new titles will go away soon but existing titles should keep working.

03-22-2008, 04:44 PM	#13
junecleaver Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 28, 2003 Location: i'm a southerner! :D Posts: 1,298	Just leave me my regular dvds and i'll be happy. Blu-ray, High Definition, for the birds. I like to be smart about my money and i refuse to spend extra on a HD dvd when i consider regular dvds to be perfectly clear.