Toshiba said this morning it will no longer develop, make or market HD DVD players and recorders. It is the second big win in two weeks for Blu-Ray disc technology in the format battle for next-generation video.

Many observers are saying this morning that the battle over high-def DVDs is now over. The format of choice is Blu-ray. HD-DVD is cheaper, but Blu-ray discs can carry more information.

This is as big as the VHS/Betamax fight years ago, only it involves a lot more money.

Last month, Warner Bros. Entertainment said it will release movie discs only in the Blu-ray format. Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation all signed up to produce on HD-DVD.

Last Friday, Wal-Mart said it will sell only  to sell only Blu-ray DVDs and hardware. Earlier last week,  Netflix Inc. said it will stop carrying rentals in HD DVD. Several major American retailers had already made similar decisions, including Target Corp. and Blockbuster Inc.

Some 600,000 Toshiba HD-DVD units have already been sold in the U.S.

Resources

c/Net's Blu Ray/HD DVD page
Hi-Def Digest


E-mail this item | Add/View Feedback (1) | QuickLink this item: A137963


Al's Morning Meeting Archive

View items published between:		and
	(MM/DD/YYYY)		(MM/DD/YYYY)

MAIN | Back to Top