If you actually purchased an HD DVD player, then I suggest you sell it as fast as possible because what pundits have been stumping for weeks has come true. In an official announcement by Toshiba, the creator and production center of the HD DVD format, they have decided to discontinue any further development, research, or manufacturing of HD DVD at the end of this month. This marks the killing blow for HD DVD. Sony officially wins the format war with its superior Blu-ray player.
Atsutoshi Nishida, spokesman for Toshiba, said the decision was made for them when Warner defected from the HD DVD camp two months ago. However, the final blow came when Wal Mart announced they are discontinuing any sales of HD DVD, settling exclusively for Blu-ray titles. Since Toshiba’s announcement earlier today, several other companies including Paramount and Dreamworks are expected to come out in support of Blu-ray shortly.
Consumers can now celebrate and can rest assured there is a clear choice for the future of hidef on DVD. I personally don’t own either format, but I’ll be much more inclined now I don’t need to roll the dice on who will win. However, around 600,000 Americans will have nothing but HD DVD player paper-weights shortly. Expect a run on low priced HD DVD players at your local consumer electronics store but don’t be tempted. Oh, and for the record, Sony are now 1-1 since they won on Blu-ray but failed on Betamax.