Blu-Ray St. Valentine’s Massacre
UPDATE: Toshiba is reportedly abandoning HD-DVD. Source
EDIT: Toshiba hasn’t made an official announcement yet.
This week has been nothing short of a massacre:
- NetFlix announced a phase out of HD-DVD
- Best Buy, one of the largest retailers in the U.S, announced that it will strongly push Blu-Ray over HD-DVD
- Many smaller publishers, (including even pornography publishers such as Digital Playgrounds) have announced plans to support Blu-Ray and drop HD-DVD
- As if that wasn’t enough, Wal-Mart, the largest retailer of movies in the U.S, announced that it will also drop HD-DVD in June.
- Finally, Toshiba is officially admitting defeat and abandoning the format
Taps for HD DVD as Wal-Mart Backs Blu-ray
Best Buy to Back Blu-ray, Too
Netflix high-def DVDs to be only in Blu-ray
Is the tug of war over high-def DVD format over?
(thanks to Sporty, Alex, Tosh, and others for the links)
(EDIT: Switched to a more tasteful picture. Good spot Segitz)
Not to take the discussion to the shotbox, but come on..? Nobody likes all games, its that simple. Some like the mother, other like the daughter 
Keep your "hate-articles" coming, Gary!
February 16th, 2008 at 12:19 am
I feel bad in the sense that it took years of research and tons of money to get where they are (referring to HD-DVD) but with multiple oportunities to combine with Blu-ray it was just destined to happen. Blu-ray simply has more features and more space. It was only a matter of time. I never thought it’d be this quick though.
February 16th, 2008 at 3:52 am
When I read this article I spontaneously heard the title track of Fifa 96
February 16th, 2008 at 6:33 am
I’m just ready for Toshiba to finally admit defeat. Even though this war dragged on for far too long I still can’t believe how quickly it all seems to be ending. Toshiba really seemed game to screw most consumers over and hang in there.
I’ve been Blu-Ray only for a while now, but this will make it so much easier to make sure people buying me discs won’t make the mistake of nabbing an HD-DVD version. I got a few of those last year for Christmas from people. I hope I never again have to have the conversation that yes I am buying High Definition DVDs, but I’m not buying HD-DVDs. Now Blu-Ray can just be the HD-DVD… no confusion or questions. I can’t wait to start buying Universal and Paramount movies!
February 16th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Engadget reports that NHK reports Toshiba has thrown in the towel on HDDVD.
It’s over.
February 16th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
HD-DVD finished, Blu-Ray won!
Toshiba to give up on HD DVD, end format war: source
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSL1643184420080216
February 16th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Tbh, I am a bit uncomfortable with the picture… I know the connection between the headline etc. but still, this makes me upset (in a mild way).
February 16th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I feel the same way segitz. I’m not irately offended exactly, but it does seem just a tad insensetive, I mean come one, there are actual murdered people in that image. Somewhat greusome and strange especially when equated with a format war between to mega corporations.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Um..its not official, its been like a week with that report on Toshiba dropping HD-DVD, but its kinda a rumor as most sites I have read have stated. Its just an inside source but there are questions as to when it will be dropped etc. Basically I think its obvious it will be dropped, but this is not yet official. Its just like Paramount.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:52 am
I’m sure Toshiba is bound to make some great BD players to cover their losses from the whole HD DVD thing
February 18th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Well to be technical it’s all BUT official.
They have a scheduled press conference tonight at 5PM Tokyo time where it’s expected that they will confirm what all the press has already reported.
BTW that’s 12PM PST tonight to you and me
February 19th, 2008 at 12:23 am
About time. Unfortunate for Toshiba, but good for consumers and a good sign of things to come for Sony.
Finally I can buy Blu-ray disks without the lingering feeling (however unlikely) that they might be completely obsolete in a month.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:04 am
NOW it’s official. Nothing more to say
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2008_02/pr1903.htm