Toshiba to exit HD DVD, end format war-NHK

[SRW1000]

I'm very sorry to have to post this.

From a Reuters article today:

Toshiba Corp is planning to stop production of equipment compatible with the HD DVD format for high-definition video, allowing the competing Blu-Ray camp a free run, public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday....

Toshiba plans to continue selling HD DVD equipment at stores for the time being but will not put resources into developing new devices, NHK said.

[basshive]

I am sad but elated at the same time. Now I do not have to worry about being stuck with multiple formats, players etc. Lets move forward!

[steve053]

D@mnIt!

If the cost of a BD player wasn't 2-3 times more than HD I really wouldn't care, but to have to spend that much more for the same quality PQ just isn't right.

I love my Tosh-A3 as it does a great job with upconverting DVD's.

[Ralph Kramden]

Sony products have always been overpriced. This is nothing new.

[Bebop]

If shoes were switched, Sony would have dragged the format war forever. I'm glad it is over. Time to get rid of my handful of HD DVD titles and look for a Blu-Ray player.

[gparris]

I am sad but elated at the same time. Now I do not have to worry about being stuck with multiple formats, players etc. Lets move forward!

Agreed, but my HD DVD players have always produced an excellent upconversion for Standard DVDs, so I am glad I have them after 2 years of good service.
I can still play my seven dozen or so HD DVDs anywhere, too.

As for one of my BD players, it is a PS3 and it costs now $399 (less the $29.99 each price x five BDs) you can get free:
This makes it $249 or less, rather affordable, IMO.
The PS3 I have had for over a year morphs into anything I want it to, from game player, internet device and yes, a BD player whose playback has exceeded my expectations.

Am I glad the format war is coming to close?

Sadly, yes, both sides had some great products, but maybe now the only real competition to Blu-ray will be buyers not caring and still buying only DVDs, unless the prices become equal to DVDs all the time, not just special-event pricing.
Further, when I ask where the Blu-ray Discs are, I get an answer, otherwise when I asked for HD DVDs, I got shown DVDs-only
so there is now going to be (at least hopefully) no more confusion, at least in my experiences.

[SRW1000]

As for one of my BD players, it is a PS3 and it costs now $399 (less the $29.99 each price x five BDs) you can get free:
This makes it $249 or less, rather affordable, IMO.

I don't think the math works out quite like that.  Using the same logic, the $150 HD DVD players that came with seven free movies were less than free.  And yet they still weren't selling.

Sadly, yes, both sides had some great products, but maybe now the only real competition to Blu-ray will be buyers not caring and still buying only DVDs, unless the prices become equal to DVDs all the time, not just special-event pricing.

I think we can all agree on this.  Most consumers aren't going to want to send $400 for a new player when they realize that not only is the media more expensive, but it also won't play on all their existing players.  They've become too used to having DVD players in their living rooms, bedrooms, cars, and the convenience of portable units, to just give up those viewing options.  Of course they could always buy multiple BD players, Blu-ray discs, and the DVD version.  I'm sure the studios would love that, but it doesn't sound realistic.

The real battle is about to begin.

Scott

[Bebop]

There is a $100 credit applying for a Sony card.

http://sonycard.sony.com/sonygateway/gateway.asp?offerlink=sonycardps3c100&PID=none&SPID=B7RY&CELL=6064&MSC=&AFFID=&CLICK=&CID=&PROMO=DF01

[JDrama]

Hated to see this day come. I love my HD DVD player but the Playstation 3 really was the deciding factor in ths war. Toshiba had Sony beat on price but the penetration of the PS3 just too much to overcome. Maybe if Microsoft would have put a HD DVD drive in its 360's instead of being an add on we might have had a different outcome.

   On a positive note hopefully us HD DVD owners can catch a break on the existing movie titles prices as retrailers try to clear out of stock to make for more Blu-Ray titles.  Speaking of disc prices I dont think Sony is going to achieve signifigant market penetration with Blu-Ray until they make their disc prices similar to that of a standard dvd.

[jkane]

When is Toshiba making a $200 Bluray DVD player?  

[jeaves79]

Ok, so I am kind of ignorant on teh whole HD DVd vs Blu-Ray, since my library of SD dvds is quite large.  They will continue to make regular non-HD dvds that I can still play in my current DVD player, correct?

[Bebop]

When is Toshiba making a $200 Bluray DVD player?  

Microsoft might come out with one for the Xbox for the same price as their HD DVD add-on.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/xbox-360-blu-ray-player-rumor-returns-right-on-cue/

Now, you know why HD DVD player wasn't built into the Xbox.

[tazman]

Ya I heard it on TMJ this morning on the way into work.  Good or bad at least it's over with until the holographic disks hit the market in a couple of years.  At least Sony learned their lesson this time and didn't try to keep the format proprietary like they did with BETA.  I just hope in the long run Blue Ray is the better of the 2 formats like BETA was compared VHS.

[SRW1000]

Ok, so I am kind of ignorant on teh whole HD DVd vs Blu-Ray, since my library of SD dvds is quite large.  They will continue to make regular non-HD dvds that I can still play in my current DVD player, correct?

Yes, they will still make SD DVDs.  There are rumblings that efforts will be made to start converting people to Blu-ray, but it will be very slow at first.  Maybe just putting the movies on DVDs, and having all the extras on BD.  Or, releasing BD discs first, and a few weeks later on DVD.

Right now, the market is too small for these measures, so you don't have to worry.

Scott

[Dan the Man]

is referenced in an article right here: http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/19/technology/toshiba.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008021904.

The war is over. Good thing, my son just bought me a Blu-ray player on Saturday as a combined Christmas/Birthday/Fathers Day present. I like it!