[boead]

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research) is planning to give up on its HD DVD format for high-definition video, conceding defeat to the competing Blu-Ray technology backed by Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research), a company source said on Saturday.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK had earlier reported that Toshiba would suffer losses in the tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars) as it scrapped production of HD DVD players and recorders and took other steps to exit the business.

The company source told Reuters that Toshiba was in the final stages of planning to exit the HD DVD business and that an official decision would be made soon.

(Reporting by Mayumi Negishi, Kentaro Hamada and Nathan Layne, editing by Mike Peacock)

http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSL1637974620080216



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/16/technology/16toshiba.html?em&ex=1203310800&en=28bb15cf2437f6fc&ei=5087%0A

[kmmd]

One more article:

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-toshiba-hd-dvd.html

Now I'm wondering when we can see Transformers, Jurassic Park, etc. on Blu-ray.

[Jon L]

You mean a Format war was won by *Sony*??   aa

[Night_Train]

The dagger had been planted moons ago and hd dvd has been bleeding profusely and staggering around all over the joint like a liquored-up palooka not willing to go down for the count. Its been kinda like what blood? I don't see no blood. 

 http://redwing.hutman.net/~Mreed/warriorshtm/palooka.htm

[chosenhandle]

You mean a Format war was won by *Sony*??   aa

you might want to circle the date in your calender. I can't remember the last time that happened....or will happen again!

[byteme]

So when are we gonna see the clearance sales on software?  Now that I've got an A35 I'm going to have to stock up!  And start saving for the Sammy dual format player.  Gotta have 5.1 analog output!

[Night_Train]

So when are we gonna see the clearance sales on software?  Now that I've got an A35 I'm going to have to stock up!  And start saving for the Sammy dual format player.  Gotta have 5.1 analog output!

Deep Discount DVD started a sale yesterday the 15th. Some for $12.20 and others for 18 something. Okay prices for starters, I guess, compared to what they were. I'm sure the prices will have to go down further as time goes by.

[kmmd]

Here is a good place to check on avsforum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=977444

There's a similar thread for Blu-ray deals also: 
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=976789

Go to the last page of both threads for the latest deals.  There may be coupons and links to those as well.

HTH.

[Ears]

One more article:

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-toshiba-hd-dvd.html

Now I'm wondering when we can see Transformers, Jurassic Park, etc. on Blu-ray.

According two someone who works at CC, there is a BD version starting to show up in their computers as a 2 disc AVC with PCM audio BD version.
The story was already mentioned at Engadget.

[kmmd]

Thanks Ears.  There's also a 15 page thread on Blu-ray.com: http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=37276

Still no date though...so I hope the rumors are true.

[boead]

You mean a Format war was won by *Sony*??   aa

you might want to circle the date in your calender. I can't remember the last time that happened....or will happen again!

The Compact Disc was Sony I believe.

[Russell Dawkins]

the CD was a Sony/Philips format - as much Philips as Sony.
Mini disc, Beta, Elcassette were failed Sony formats.
DCC was Philips' answer to Minidisc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Compact_Cassette

[SET Man]

Hey!

   Look like it is official now that Toshiba is giving up on the battle 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/ap_on_hi_te/blu_ray_triumph;_ylt=AkPLoU1_holJA9PkHLlka3UjtBAF

  Well, look like you videophile people have to go out and buy thos Blu-Ray discs to replace your DVD collection now Oh! Yeah, don't forget to get new TV with 1080p also.

   Man! This is amazing. DVD is not even a quarter of century old yet... only 15 I think... and now it had been replace by a new video format? Too bad Sony couldn't do the same with SACD

   This reminded me of something... I have a friend that was big on LDs and those cost like $35 each back than. He still have a few boxes full of those LDs and  I don't think he could even give them out for free! Nobody want them!

   Anyway, good thing that I'm not into HT stuff, but I do find this fascinating

Take care,
Buddy

[Toka]

Heh, if I were in the area I'd scoop those LD's! No matter what, with every format change something gets left behind somehow or another.

[mjosef]

Well...it hasn't yet "replaced" dvds to date...time will tell whether consumers will run out and buy all their favorite movies once again on the Blu-disc. First they need to get their act together and finalize that code.

[BobC]

There's an interesting article at Stereophile.com that speculates that blu-ray may become the format of choice for high-rez audio, i.e. replace SACD.

http://stereophile.com/news/021807blu/

Doesn't really matter to me personally because I don't own any SACD or DVD-A....but I like the idea of high-end blu-ray players focused on audio and well made audio recordings.  It would be cool if they were audio only, but I'm not holding my breath.

Who knows what will happen.