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FATMAN
Joined: 03 Aug 2007
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 Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:55 am Post subject: Toshiba dropping HD DVD? |
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I think this article from Engadget says it all.
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| We're not exactly sure what's going on in Toshiba land, but shortly after not-exactly-believable whispers made the rounds of the firm suddenly deciding to try its hand at making a Blu-ray player, we're now seeing reports stating that it will pull the plug on its beloved format "in the coming weeks." Citing unnamed industry "sources," The Hollywood Reporter is suggesting that the end may be nigh for the HD DVD format. Jodi Sally, VP of marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products, was quoted as saying that "given the market developments in the past month, Toshiba will continue to study the market impact and the value proposition for consumers, particularly in light of its recent price reductions on all HD DVD players." Of course, we aren't exactly equating said statement to waving the white flag or anything, but whatever the case, it seems the death watch is in full effect. |
SOURCE: www.engadget.com
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Wad
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
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| Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:41 am Post subject: |
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LOL - i just read that at Engadget about 30mins ago
I think they are on their last legs
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nathsgames
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Wad
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:39 am Post subject: |
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yeah - i saw a post this morning saying that Toshiba were expected to make an announcement soon.
Bugger if you bought a stand alone player, im pretty sure MS will still try and support their add-on drive but standalones are going to be worthless.
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nathsgames
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:50 am Post subject: |
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Yep, as was indicated by Walmart's big fire sale a few weeks ago, what was is like USD$99.00 inc 8 free movies or something for a stand alone.....
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gahooleys
Joined: 09 Aug 2007
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:35 am Post subject: |
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Well Toshiba have come out today and made an official statement, suggesting they haven't made any decision in dropping the format but didn't deny doing so in the future. Hmm looks to me it'll be done sooner rather than later but.
In othere news the rumours of a 360 blu-Ray addon continue to gain momentum
Microsoft Plans Blu-ray 360, Due In May!!!
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Rumours were circulating today that Microsoft is set to dump HD DVD and bring out a Blu ray Xbox 360 by as early as May 2008. The move will allow the Company to go head to head with the Sony PS3 gaming console which has been credited with being one of the main reasons that retailers have preferred Blu ray over Toshiba’s HD DVD.
Insiders at Microsoft in the USA have told SmartHouse that Microsoft have already configured a standalone Blu ray player that can be connected into an Xbox 360 and that subject to internal marketing and sales approvals the model could be on sale within 3 months.
The Company has also been working on a built in Blu ray player however insiders are claiming that Microsoft see the HD format battle moving online with consumers offered 1080p movie and content files as a download as opposed to having to buy a HD or Blu ray DVD.
Both Intel and Microsoft have been supporters of the HD DVD format that is set to be killed off this week.
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The Company has also held discussions with several OEM manufacturers of media centres with nearly all of them telling the software Company that they are set to move to Blu ray configured Media Centres within the next month.
Late last week US Media Centre maker Niveus dumped HD DVD in favour of Blu ray.
The Company VP of marketing Brian Paper said that Niveus had received support from Microsoft and Intel when implementing HD DVD. The format wasn't pushed on Niveus, he said, adding that the commitment in both Intel and Microsoft "isn't religious For HD DVD".
LINK: http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Gaming/Console/J7L7H2R4
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Wad
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:21 am Post subject: |
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Im confused - is it off, is it on ?
The rumors were true. Japanese news source NHK (english translation and Reuters validation) is reporting that Toshiba is planning to drop support of HD DVD, striking a final blow to the format and conceding victory to Blu-ray. The Sony-backed high-definition disc has been gaining strides for some time, most notably after Warner Bros switched to Blu-ray exclusively. Toshiba is expected to face hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.
The so-called "format wars" seems to be at an end, and now we're left to ponder about the future, such as how big is the office party Sony is throwing in honor of its victory? More related to video games, might we see a future Blu-ray add-on (and subsequently rumors of a built-in drive) for the Xbox 360?
http://www.joystiq.com/page/2/
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TimeReaper
Joined: 03 Aug 2007
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:46 am Post subject: |
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I can not wait until there is only 1 format.
Hopefully not much longer to wait.
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gahooleys
Joined: 09 Aug 2007
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Location: Gold Coast
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Wad wrote: |
Im confused - is it off, is it on ?
The rumors were true. Japanese news source NHK (english translation and Reuters validation) is reporting that Toshiba is planning to drop support of HD DVD, striking a final blow to the format and conceding victory to Blu-ray. The Sony-backed high-definition disc has been gaining strides for some time, most notably after Warner Bros switched to Blu-ray exclusively. Toshiba is expected to face hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.
The so-called "format wars" seems to be at an end, and now we're left to ponder about the future, such as how big is the office party Sony is throwing in honor of its victory? More related to video games, might we see a future Blu-ray add-on (and subsequently rumors of a built-in drive) for the Xbox 360?
http://www.joystiq.com/page/2/ |
yeah it's not official yet Wad but should be over the next couple of days
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gahooleys
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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More in regards to a 360 Blu-Ray addon here:
This from Smarthouse:
Blu-ray Xbox 360 Planned By Microsoft
Rumours were circulating today that Microsoft is set to dump HD DVD and bring out a Blu ray Xbox 360 by as early as May 2008. The move will allow the Company to go head to head with the Sony PS3 gaming console which has been credited with being one of the main reasons that retailers have preferred Blu-ray over Toshiba’s HD DVD.
Insiders at Microsoft in the USA have told SmartHouse that Microsoft has already configured a standalone Blu-ray player that can be connected into an Xbox 360 and that subject to internal marketing and sales approvals the model could be on sale within 3 months.
The Company has also been working on a built in Blu-ray player however insiders are claiming that Microsoft see the HD format battle moving online with consumers offered 1080p movie and content files as a download as opposed to having to buy a HD DVD or Blu-ray disc.
Both Intel and Microsoft have been supporters of the HD DVD format that is set to be killed off this week.
The Company has also held discussions with several OEM manufacturers of media centres with nearly all of them telling the software Company that they are set to move to Blu-ray configured Media Centres within the next month.
Late last week US Media Centre maker Niveus dumped HD DVD in favour of Blu-ray.
The Company VP of marketing Brian Paper said that Niveus had received support from Microsoft and Intel when implementing HD DVD. The format wasn't pushed on Niveus, he said, adding that the commitment in both Intel and Microsoft "isn't religious for HD DVD".
Michael Ephraim the Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment said: "We would welcome Microsoft to the Blu-ray stable. In fact it is quite logical for them as the PS3 has been very succesful in driving consumers to Blu-ray. In fact we believe that it has done more to win the format war than traditional Blu-ray player".
When asked whether Sony would grant Microsoft a Blu-ray licence he said: "That is up to Sony Corporate but I see no reason why they would not do it".
During CES 2006 the then Microsoft's Xbox corporate VP of worldwide marketing and publishing Peter Moore told Japanese site ITmedia that a Blu-ray Xbox 360 peripheral could appear for the system if the need arises. Moore admitted that Microsoft isn't sure of the next-generation format war's outcome, with the worst-case scenario being a repeat of the Beta vs. VHS war of the '80s.
However, he suggested that whatever the outcome of the HD-DVD/Blu-ray war, the Xbox 360 can adopt the dominant format since its uses an external drive.
Smarthouse, 18/02/2008
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FATMAN
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| Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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I think the official "death" is getting closer....
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| Despite Red's inability to make any real public statement, Japanese publication Nikkei has it that Toshiba president Atsutoshi Nishida will be announcing the final discontinuation of HD DVD tomorrow, as well as halted sales of hardware and media by March (as in days from now). Apparently Toshiba will pull its units from retail shelves, but has no intention to give burned early adopters any refunds (no kidding?); it sounds like the ceasefire will include the bare PC drives as well, so those hoping to keep using HD DVD as a personal data storage medium probably won't have much luck. Apparently the announcement will come alongside Toshiba's plans to build new semiconductor fabs, which we're sure they'll try to spin as an advancement that far overshadows the hill of beans (read: hundreds of millions) they've lost in the format war. [Warning: subscription required.] |
SOURCE: www.engadget.com
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nathsgames
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
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| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:43 am Post subject: |
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One format will be awesome - can't wait!
Forza 3 on Blu-Ray FTW!
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nathsgames
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| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:50 am Post subject: |
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Toshiba told to exit race now before the wound gets any deeper by senior financial analysts
Shares rise amid rumours of Toshiba quitting HD DVD.
Below from telegraph.co.uk
"Analysts told Reuters that quitting the race would be a positive move for Toshiba in the mid to long term. Although its losses could widen to 55bn yen in the year to March 2009, from 50bn yen this year, it would save money by backing out "before the wound gets any deeper", Mitsushige Akino, chief investment officer at Ichiyoshi Investment Management told Reuters.
Shares in Toshiba climbed to their highest level since the end of last year, up 5.7pc to 829 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange."
Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/02/18/bcntosh.xml
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