HD DVD RIP

[db]

Toshiba to give up on HD DVD, end format war: source

By Mayumi Negishi and Kentaro HamadaSun Feb 17, 8:32 AM ET

Toshiba Corp 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, 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 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 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 and online video rental company Netflix Inc also recently signed up to the Blu-ray camp.

The exclusive backing of Microsoft Corp 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.

i haven't bought an HD player yet - mainly due to HDCP nonsense, rather than the format war - but i guess the choice will be easier once i finally do decide to get one.. i doubt i'll buy one 'til they're £20 in tesco, though - a la DVD players!

 

[tek-monkey]

Interesting that Microsoft are happy to watch this die, as they use the players in their consoles. Means its no longer the full entertainment system it was supposed to be, and does now make the PS3 more attractive. Still prefer the wii though.

 

[db]

Interesting that Microsoft are happy to watch this die, as they use the players in their consoles. Means its no longer the full entertainment system it was supposed to be, and does now make the PS3 more attractive. Still prefer the wii though.

did you miss the bit above? where it says:

The exclusive backing of Microsoft Corp 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.

so you might yet see a blu-ray equipped 360

 

[tek-monkey]

But doesn't that just annoy the crap out of all the people who already have 360s with a HD player?

 

[db]

But doesn't that just annoy the crap out of all the people who already have 360s with a HD player?

hardly a reason not to move with the times

more info here: http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Gaming/Console/J7L7H2R4

 

[theflamingred]

Grinning smugly

I've been harping on for ages about how HD DVD was gonna die. As the boyf can vouch, I can hold lengthy and dull conversations on the matter and I would just like to say - I was right all along

(I'm gonna get cuffed a lot for this aren't I?)

 

[db]

(I'm gonna get cuffed a lot for this aren't I?)

nah - both formats had their strengths/weaknesses imo.. personally, i was rooting for HD DVD simply because the AACS had been cracked, so HD DVD releases result in nice HD rips for the rest of us BD+ is proving to be more of a bugger, unfortunately, so the demise of HD DVD means we'll have to settle for HDTV rips until BD+ is circumvented.. bah!

 

[FooFighter]

I can see the sales of the PS3 greatly increasing as it's just about the cheapest option for Blu-ray.
How long do you think it will be be Microsoft release a Blu-ray add on for their 360.

It'll be interesting to see if Sony let Microsoft develop an add on coz if they don't it could mean a slow kill of the 360

 

[dylanf]

It'll be interesting to see if Sony let Microsoft develop an add on coz if they don't it could mean a slow kill of the 360

All Microsoft need is a license to use the blue ray technology. There should be no reason why they would not grant the license. Just think of the retaliation Microsoft could inflict on Sony.

I did read on Slashdot somewhere that Microsoft have already got a Blue Ray player ready and its just going though all the admin stages. But it should ship in 3 Months.

 

[Moley]

I feel sorry for all those who bought lazer disc

 

[db]

I feel sorry for all those who bought lazer disc

did you know that laserdiscs were still being released in japan as recently as 2002? mental.. you can still pick them up on ebay for a few quid each!

 

[Moley]

I feel sorry for all those who bought lazer disc

did you know that laserdiscs were still being released in japan as recently as 2002? mental.. you can still pick them up on ebay for a few quid each!

My brother-in-law bought one about 11 years ago. Was also around the time DVD was first being talked about. He was adamant that Lazer was the way forward and that DVD would never take off as a format. He paid an absolute fortune for his player. Tell you what, when you bought a lazer disc you really felt like you were buying something much like music boffins - comparison between CD and Vinyl.

 

[simon]

I'm chuffed to bits that Blu-ray looks to of beaten off HD Dvd having a PS3 and all! Looking at Sony's track record with betamax and mini disc, I was biting my nails at the thougth of blu-ray going in the same direction, but no! Woo Hoo!

 

[db]

people always go on about betamax and minidisc, like they were sony's only forays into technology and they define them as failures

what about CDs (co-developed with Philips)? last time i heard they did pretty well.. trinitron monitors? walkmans (walkmen? what is the plural of "walkman"?? lol)? DAT? guess what the "S" in "S/PDIF" stands for.. not to mention a little thing called the floppy disk - ever hear of them? lol..

don't get me wrong - i'm defo not a sony fan myself.. playstation can lick my balls, as far as i'm concerned.. but tarring their long history of innovation and sensible investment with "HURRR BETAMAX " is getting a bit long in the tooth, imo..

 

[tomae]

Interesting that Microsoft are happy to watch this die, as they use the players in their consoles. Means its no longer the full entertainment system it was supposed to be, and does now make the PS3 more attractive. Still prefer the wii though.

The 360 doesnt have an HD-DVD player built in, they use bog standard DVDs.

You could get an HD-DVD add-on which is now useful as a seat warmer.