Toshiba Quits HD DVD; Format War Over
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 9:30 am
Yeah I have COX on demand and the HD movies I’ve seen so far look fantastic. They usually run about 4.99 a piece.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:35 am
F%&K!
February 19th, 2008 at 9:54 am
The price for the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive is only $129 http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360hddvdplayer/
Not that anyone would buy it now.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:58 am
You do realize that manufacturers could either raise prices, or just leave them at the level they are at for quite some time now since there is no competition. I just hope that there is at least one honest manufacturer out there who will make a good player for <$200, or even <$150, which is my magic number.
Plus, I don’t like Sony’s DRM. It is eerily similar to the rootkit fiasco from a few years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc#Digital_rights_management_.28DRM.29
February 19th, 2008 at 10:04 am
@Jugga, yeah people will now see just how great Sony and its partners are with BR. i don’t foresee any pricing change for a LONG time. what’s their motivation to cut costs again? yeah..none since there is no HD DVD. people always root for the dumbest things as consumers.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I just don’t buy movies that much, so I have a hard time saying, its cool to spend $400 for a PS3, just to have BluRay and some games only available to PS2 or PS3. What is see happening is getting an Stand Alone player or Addon and a Wii as a second console for my girls. Now if PS3 drops prices closer to $200, then I’ll rethink things. Come on Sony, drop your PS3 to the magic $200 mark.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Blu Ray was the worst decision for the consumer. Sony now knows it doesn’t need to drop any prices.
@ Juggalo
I remember that rootkit fiasco. I couldn’t believe a company would do that. Leave it to Sony to prove everyone wrong.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Thank god for things like Netflix……………………………………………………
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30 bucks to watch a movie and put it down to collect dust O_o No………………………………………………………..
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……………………………………………………….dot
February 19th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I kinda knew Blu-Ray was gonna win all along, and i bribed toshiba off, which may have something to do with it…lol
February 19th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Resolution is good.