I was on the elevator heading to work and I saw a quick news splash on the “elevator news update” that Toshiba has pulled out of the HD DVD business. This is no shock considering all of the studios, retail outlets and online rental companies that suddenly decided to join Blu-ray.
“This was a very difficult decision to make … but when we thought about the trouble we would cause to consumers and our partners, we decided it was not right for us to keep going with such a small presence,” Toshiba Chief Executive Atsutoshi Nishida told a news conference.
It’s no surprise how I felt about a Blu-ray win after my article Format Wars was posted in Truth Serum. However, I hope that this leads to cheaper Blu-ray players outside of the PS3. And I’m also curious to see if Microsoft sticks to its statements of supporting the winning format no matter which was victorious. Could a Blu-ray add-on be in the near future for Xbox 360 owners?
February 19th, 2008 at 8:12 am
I sure hope there will be some sort of trade in program for those of us who have the current HD-DVD products. What a devastating blow, couldn’t this at least have waited until I got those 5 free HD-DVD movies first? Now I’m not even sure those will come anymore.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Same here
February 19th, 2008 at 8:32 am
why exactly would there be a trade in program? you guys expect Toshiba to offer that for people who buy Blu-ray players? would you have expected Sony and its partners to offer an exchange as well?
there won’t be any trade in program…at least not one endorsed by Toshiba. maybe local retailers will have their own deals..maybe.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:38 am
MS releases a Blu-Ray addon for $199 then I’m buying it.
Only reason I’d pass is if I found another standalone for $199. Magic price point for me is $200, otherwise I’m sticking with standard DVDs, its not like I buy a lot to begin with.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:42 am
$200 is too much. especially at this point in the game. if they do it, they need to keep it the same price as the HD DVD is now which is $179. no more than that.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Better off buying a PS3 for $400 then a stand alone player for half that or more. Course I really dont care about the whole Hd-dvd VS Blueray war. If I watch any Hd content, I usually get it through digital distribution resources, like the 360 or Comcast on demand.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:06 am
The only way I will buy BR, is if Microsoft releases a addon. If they decide not to, I will stick with my digital distribution.
@ Goon360
You can find stand alone BR players for less than a PS3 now. Last time I saw one it was in the 299 range.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:09 am
@Hazy, that’s good info. i’m not buying PS3 BR player either really. i’d use it only for movies so i’d much rather have a standalone if i’m not going to play any games on it.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I apologize. I just checked Best Buy and it seems the 299 Samsung model is gone. The cheapest is now 399.
No thanks Blu Ray, I’ll stick to my 6 dollar HD download service.
Sure I could grab a PS3 for the same amount, but it would also be just a movie player. In my book, 399 is just too expensive for watching movies.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:30 am
yeah screw the $399 price for HD movies. i’ll wait. hopefully there’s a BR add-on or something for $179 or even a standalone at some point for that price.
until then i guess it’s HBO HD and all the other HD channels via DirecTV lol