Toshiba drops HD DVD

Jarrak · 15-02-2008, 09:51

Well everyone else is posting links to speculation based badly written or very well spun (pick which description you prefer) web articles with very slanted thread titles so I might as well get into the fun

Hollywood Reporter

As with most of the recent articles it's takes speculation with no concrete evidence and spins it in a negative manner and like most of the articles there is enough circumstantial evidence to make it believable

GDK · 15-02-2008, 12:11

Agreed. While it is inevitable, I'd be surprised if Toshiba made any sort of announcement before mid year. This is just speculative writing and spin with no new information at all.

Jarrak · 15-02-2008, 12:22

The irony, a second post reporting the same speculation appears later

berncol · 15-02-2008, 12:38

This report is all over the web.
Such a thing will only serve to damage Toshiba and the HD DVD brand further and, now public knowledge, may even hasten any possible closure Toshiba have in mind. A matter of weeks? Could be sooner than that now.

Jarrak · 15-02-2008, 12:42

Missed this one though, a Warner representative doesn't rule out continued support for HD DVD if the demand is there and for certain specific titles.

DVD Town

Like the Universal and Paramount pointless posts/articles in terms of them no longer having or having opt-outs for HD DVD exclusive support this small article is interesting but at the end of the day Warner are still going to be a Blu supporter.

The small print is irrelevant, it's what they actually do that matters

Chorlton Fisher · 15-02-2008, 12:43

I wouldn't want to be the Toshiba guy who has to call Sony to ask for the Blu ray technology.

GDK · 15-02-2008, 14:13

That conversation may have already happened!

According to this Toshiba will release BD models soon.

Or is it all just media hype? :yawn:

Jarrak · 15-02-2008, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDK

Or is it all just media hype? :yawn:

Speculation and the problem with speculation is that there are times it has a very logical basis but will always be offered as guess work with no official foundation.

Logically Toshiba will have a Blu-ray player design either their own or off the shelf (I'd prefer a dual but there you go

) and given that there is no sign of a significant HD DVD media market gains (it's increased from the intital culling but not enough to convince many third parties) even Toshiba can not ignore the Blu market which they know will be profitable for hardware carrying their name.

I'm still waiting for some good UK deals on HD DVD that our US friends are getting

15-02-2008, 17:00

Well, that story may be speculative (though if Hollywood Reporter printed it, there's probably at least something to it) but if the following is true, that would appear to be 'it':

Wal-Mart puts stake through HD DVD's heart
...and from CNN

Jarrak · 15-02-2008, 17:08

There is a lot to be said for drawing a line in the sand and getting on with just one format, even if half the articles are total b******s there is certainly enough officially confirmed reports to underline the failure of the HD DVD price cuts to make a significant mark on media sales.

I'm still convinced even a 15% share of a growing HD market is viable to maintain if not a healthy release schedule but at least the AAA titles but it seems even companies that could make money from supporting HD DVD prefer the one format or nothing approach.

Just listened to Terminator:SCC podcast and one the guys was in New York's Virgin Megastore discount area and picked up T3 and Superman The Movie for $10 but said there was Blu-ray titles as well which does underline the apathy towards HD in general.

berncol · 19-02-2008, 08:19

http://uk.reuters.com/article/techno...00294420080219

Zazou · 19-02-2008, 08:45

Toshiba Press Release :

February 19, 2008

Toshiba Announces Discontinuation of HD DVD Businesses
Company Remains Focused on Championing Consumer Access to High Definition Content

Tokyo—Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has undertaken a thorough review of its overall strategy for HD DVD and has decided it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders. This decision has been made following recent major changes in the market. Toshiba will continue, however, to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products.

HD DVD was developed to offer consumers access at an affordable price to high-quality, high definition content and prepare them for the digital convergence of tomorrow where the fusion of consumer electronics and IT will continue to progress.

“We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop,” said Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation. "While we are disappointed for the company and more importantly, for the consumer, the real mass market opportunity for high definition content remains untapped and Toshiba is both able and determined to use our talent, technology and intellectual property to make digital convergence a reality.”

Toshiba will continue to lead innovation, in a wide range of technologies that will drive mass market access to high definition content. These include high capacity NAND flash memory, small form factor hard disk drives, next generation CPUs, visual processing, and wireless and encryption technologies. The company expects to make forthcoming announcements around strategic progress in these convergence technologies.

Toshiba will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players and recorders to retail channels, aiming for cessation of these businesses by the end of March 2008. Toshiba also plans to end volume production of HD DVD disk drives for such applications as PCs and games in the same timeframe, yet will continue to make efforts to meet customer requirements. The company will continue to assess the position of notebook PCs with integrated HD DVD drives within the overall PC business relative to future market demand.

This decision will not impact on Toshiba’s commitment to standard DVD, and the company will continue to market conventional DVD players and recorders. Toshiba intends to continue to contribute to the development of the DVD industry, as a member of the DVD Forum, an international organization with some 200 member companies, committed to the discussion and defining of optimum optical disc formats for the consumer and the related industries.

Toshiba also intends to maintain collaborative relations with the companies who joined with Toshiba in working to build up the HD DVD market, including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation and major Japanese and European content providers on the entertainment side, as well as leaders in the IT industry, including Microsoft, Intel, and HP. Toshiba will study possible collaboration with these companies for future business opportunities, utilizing the many assets generated through the development of HD DVD.

berncol · 19-02-2008, 08:56

So what now I wonder for Paramount and Universal? They must be preparing statements I suppose. Will Warner keep to their original plan of releasing HD DVD titles short term?

19-02-2008, 08:57

Hopefully we'll start to hear new release announcements from them soon. I wonder how many already-announced HD DVD releases will actually happen, though. I'm also slightly fearful of getting an e-mail from LOVEFiLM in the not-too-distant...

B-29 · 19-02-2008, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chorlton Fisher

I wouldn't want to be the Toshiba guy who has to call Sony to ask for the Blu ray technology.

Why are people still bringing SONY into this ?, they don't own Bluray and TOSHIBA don't need to contact them. A licence is all that's required from the BDA.

simon69c · 19-02-2008, 09:14

It also really strengthens the BDA's dominant image if their former opposition rapidly falls in behind them after conceding defeat - so they are hardly going to try and stop Toshiba from making BD players. There's no room for petty grudges in this sort of business.

I'm just waiting for the claims that the BDA payed off Toshiba...

Jarrak · 19-02-2008, 11:37

Well at least we all know where we stand and the speculation can cease, disappointing news but on the cards since the bloodbath that was Warner.
Amazing how quickly it all collapsed.

I don't think the best consumer format won but doesn't really matter does it

Chorlton Fisher · 19-02-2008, 12:58

Anyone want a cheap ticket for the Titanic?
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...k/Product.html

19-02-2008, 13:12

Nah... might pick up some discs when they go below a fiver, though.

chriswatts · 19-02-2008, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-29

Why are people still bringing SONY into this ?, they don't own Bluray and TOSHIBA don't need to contact them. A licence is all that's required from the BDA.

What will be more interesting is when Microsoft have to contact the BDA for a licence. They don't really get on with some of the members but the day Microsoft doesn't get a licence is the day Sony laptops have to run Linux

Moony · 21-02-2008, 10:16

Paramount have finally announced they are to begin producing movies in Blu-Ray format again:

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh..._Goes_Blu/1496

21-02-2008, 11:39

It's all very well them saying it's the last domino - where are the BD announcements from Momentum Pictures and Channel 4?

Assa2 · 21-02-2008, 12:55

Strangely LG are going to continue to support HD-DVD with dual players. Also Toshiba have stated they have no plans to release a BD player. Sounds like they don't think BD is going to be that big a hit. It's interesting that they talk about the next generation of technology in their press release - small HDD and solid-state memory technology. The battle may be lost, but the war is not over...

bobcar · 21-02-2008, 13:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assa2

Strangely LG are going to continue to support HD-DVD with dual players. Also Toshiba have stated they have no plans to release a BD player. Sounds like they don't think BD is going to be that big a hit. It's interesting that they talk about the next generation of technology in their press release - small HDD and solid-state memory technology. The battle may be lost, but the war is not over...

Do you have a link for that as I've missed it, I'd be surprised if they didn't produce one whatever they say now but it may be a little while.

chriswatts · 21-02-2008, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assa2

It's interesting that they talk about the next generation of technology in their press release - small HDD and solid-state memory technology

Hasn't that been tried already, flopped dismally and was abandoned?

15-02-2008, 09:51	#1
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Toshiba drops HD DVD Well everyone else is posting links to speculation based badly written or very well spun (pick which description you prefer) web articles with very slanted thread titles so I might as well get into the fun Hollywood Reporter As with most of the recent articles it's takes speculation with no concrete evidence and spins it in a negative manner and like most of the articles there is enough circumstantial evidence to make it believable

19-02-2008, 08:19	#11
berncol Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 564	The war is over. Official. http://uk.reuters.com/article/techno...00294420080219

15-02-2008, 12:11	#2
GDK Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wigan Posts: 4,892	Agreed. While it is inevitable, I'd be surprised if Toshiba made any sort of announcement before mid year. This is just speculative writing and spin with no new information at all.

15-02-2008, 12:22	#3
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	The irony, a second post reporting the same speculation appears later

15-02-2008, 12:38	#4
berncol Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 564	This report is all over the web. Such a thing will only serve to damage Toshiba and the HD DVD brand further and, now public knowledge, may even hasten any possible closure Toshiba have in mind. A matter of weeks? Could be sooner than that now.

15-02-2008, 12:42	#5
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Missed this one though, a Warner representative doesn't rule out continued support for HD DVD if the demand is there and for certain specific titles. DVD Town Like the Universal and Paramount pointless posts/articles in terms of them no longer having or having opt-outs for HD DVD exclusive support this small article is interesting but at the end of the day Warner are still going to be a Blu supporter. The small print is irrelevant, it's what they actually do that matters

15-02-2008, 12:43	#6
Chorlton Fisher Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 3,104	I wouldn't want to be the Toshiba guy who has to call Sony to ask for the Blu ray technology.

15-02-2008, 14:13	#7
GDK Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wigan Posts: 4,892	That conversation may have already happened! According to this Toshiba will release BD models soon. Or is it all just media hype? :yawn:

15-02-2008, 16:20	#8
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by GDK Or is it all just media hype? :yawn: Speculation and the problem with speculation is that there are times it has a very logical basis but will always be offered as guess work with no official foundation. Logically Toshiba will have a Blu-ray player design either their own or off the shelf (I'd prefer a dual but there you go ) and given that there is no sign of a significant HD DVD media market gains (it's increased from the intital culling but not enough to convince many third parties) even Toshiba can not ignore the Blu market which they know will be profitable for hardware carrying their name. I'm still waiting for some good UK deals on HD DVD that our US friends are getting

15-02-2008, 17:00	#9
Nomen Luni Posts: n/a	Well, that story may be speculative (though if Hollywood Reporter printed it, there's probably at least something to it) but if the following is true, that would appear to be 'it': Wal-Mart puts stake through HD DVD's heart ...and from CNN

15-02-2008, 17:08	#10
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	There is a lot to be said for drawing a line in the sand and getting on with just one format, even if half the articles are total b******s there is certainly enough officially confirmed reports to underline the failure of the HD DVD price cuts to make a significant mark on media sales. I'm still convinced even a 15% share of a growing HD market is viable to maintain if not a healthy release schedule but at least the AAA titles but it seems even companies that could make money from supporting HD DVD prefer the one format or nothing approach. Just listened to Terminator:SCC podcast and one the guys was in New York's Virgin Megastore discount area and picked up T3 and Superman The Movie for $10 but said there was Blu-ray titles as well which does underline the apathy towards HD in general.

19-02-2008, 08:45	#12
Zazou Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Teesside Posts: 71	Toshiba Press Release : February 19, 2008 Toshiba Announces Discontinuation of HD DVD Businesses Company Remains Focused on Championing Consumer Access to High Definition Content Tokyo—Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has undertaken a thorough review of its overall strategy for HD DVD and has decided it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders. This decision has been made following recent major changes in the market. Toshiba will continue, however, to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products. HD DVD was developed to offer consumers access at an affordable price to high-quality, high definition content and prepare them for the digital convergence of tomorrow where the fusion of consumer electronics and IT will continue to progress. “We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop,” said Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation. "While we are disappointed for the company and more importantly, for the consumer, the real mass market opportunity for high definition content remains untapped and Toshiba is both able and determined to use our talent, technology and intellectual property to make digital convergence a reality.” Toshiba will continue to lead innovation, in a wide range of technologies that will drive mass market access to high definition content. These include high capacity NAND flash memory, small form factor hard disk drives, next generation CPUs, visual processing, and wireless and encryption technologies. The company expects to make forthcoming announcements around strategic progress in these convergence technologies. Toshiba will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players and recorders to retail channels, aiming for cessation of these businesses by the end of March 2008. Toshiba also plans to end volume production of HD DVD disk drives for such applications as PCs and games in the same timeframe, yet will continue to make efforts to meet customer requirements. The company will continue to assess the position of notebook PCs with integrated HD DVD drives within the overall PC business relative to future market demand. This decision will not impact on Toshiba’s commitment to standard DVD, and the company will continue to market conventional DVD players and recorders. Toshiba intends to continue to contribute to the development of the DVD industry, as a member of the DVD Forum, an international organization with some 200 member companies, committed to the discussion and defining of optimum optical disc formats for the consumer and the related industries. Toshiba also intends to maintain collaborative relations with the companies who joined with Toshiba in working to build up the HD DVD market, including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation and major Japanese and European content providers on the entertainment side, as well as leaders in the IT industry, including Microsoft, Intel, and HP. Toshiba will study possible collaboration with these companies for future business opportunities, utilizing the many assets generated through the development of HD DVD.

19-02-2008, 08:56	#13
berncol Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 564	So what now I wonder for Paramount and Universal? They must be preparing statements I suppose. Will Warner keep to their original plan of releasing HD DVD titles short term?

19-02-2008, 08:57	#14
Nomen Luni Posts: n/a	Hopefully we'll start to hear new release announcements from them soon. I wonder how many already-announced HD DVD releases will actually happen, though. I'm also slightly fearful of getting an e-mail from LOVEFiLM in the not-too-distant...

19-02-2008, 08:58	#15
B-29 Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,229	Quote: Originally Posted by Chorlton Fisher I wouldn't want to be the Toshiba guy who has to call Sony to ask for the Blu ray technology. Why are people still bringing SONY into this ?, they don't own Bluray and TOSHIBA don't need to contact them. A licence is all that's required from the BDA.

19-02-2008, 09:14	#16
simon69c Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,415	It also really strengthens the BDA's dominant image if their former opposition rapidly falls in behind them after conceding defeat - so they are hardly going to try and stop Toshiba from making BD players. There's no room for petty grudges in this sort of business. I'm just waiting for the claims that the BDA payed off Toshiba...

19-02-2008, 11:37	#17
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Well at least we all know where we stand and the speculation can cease, disappointing news but on the cards since the bloodbath that was Warner. Amazing how quickly it all collapsed. I don't think the best consumer format won but doesn't really matter does it

19-02-2008, 12:58	#18
Chorlton Fisher Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 3,104	Anyone want a cheap ticket for the Titanic? http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...k/Product.html

19-02-2008, 13:12	#19
Nomen Luni Posts: n/a	Nah... might pick up some discs when they go below a fiver, though.

19-02-2008, 13:58	#20
chriswatts Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 537	Quote: Originally Posted by B-29 Why are people still bringing SONY into this ?, they don't own Bluray and TOSHIBA don't need to contact them. A licence is all that's required from the BDA. What will be more interesting is when Microsoft have to contact the BDA for a licence. They don't really get on with some of the members but the day Microsoft doesn't get a licence is the day Sony laptops have to run Linux

21-02-2008, 10:16	#21
Moony Guest Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 14,710	Paramount have finally announced they are to begin producing movies in Blu-Ray format again: http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh..._Goes_Blu/1496

21-02-2008, 11:39	#22
Nomen Luni Posts: n/a	It's all very well them saying it's the last domino - where are the BD announcements from Momentum Pictures and Channel 4?

DS Forums

Toshiba drops HD DVD

21-02-2008, 12:55	#23
Assa2 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Solihull Posts: 7,274	Strangely LG are going to continue to support HD-DVD with dual players. Also Toshiba have stated they have no plans to release a BD player. Sounds like they don't think BD is going to be that big a hit. It's interesting that they talk about the next generation of technology in their press release - small HDD and solid-state memory technology. The battle may be lost, but the war is not over...

21-02-2008, 13:16	#24
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	Quote: Originally Posted by Assa2 Strangely LG are going to continue to support HD-DVD with dual players. Also Toshiba have stated they have no plans to release a BD player. Sounds like they don't think BD is going to be that big a hit. It's interesting that they talk about the next generation of technology in their press release - small HDD and solid-state memory technology. The battle may be lost, but the war is not over... Do you have a link for that as I've missed it, I'd be surprised if they didn't produce one whatever they say now but it may be a little while.

21-02-2008, 13:44	#25
chriswatts Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 537	Quote: Originally Posted by Assa2 It's interesting that they talk about the next generation of technology in their press release - small HDD and solid-state memory technology Hasn't that been tried already, flopped dismally and was abandoned?