Attention with HD DVD

[eroe]

Note: Studios have announced that no new titles will be released on the HD DVD or the HD DVD Combo format.

IMPORTANT: Microsoft has discontinued production of HD DVD players. From this time forward, availability of HD DVD content will be limited and subject to studio availability; for more information consumers may contact those 3rd party content providers directly. The Xbox 360 HD DVD player is covered under the standard Microsoft return policy.
:angry_smile:

[Emilio]

Reuters 16.2.08 ;

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 . . .

Some other source ;

Given their long partnership, Warner gave Toshiba an opportunity to lure a Blu-ray studio to HD DVD, in which case they would go HD DVD exclusive and give HD DVD a clear studio advantage. This did not happen, despite much-rumored negotiations, and Warner went with Blu-ray.

With no studio joining them on the HD DVD side, Warner's hand was forced and it went with Blu-ray, receiving a reported $500 million for doing so.

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As u can see , Sony wins with Blu-Ray & put the standard for that type of multimedia , many movie houses has accepted their standard .

Regards.

:tounge_smile: :dollar: