Toshiba discontinues HD DVD

Toshiba has 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 where Blue-Ray has out sold HD DVD by ten to one.

Toshiba will continue, however, to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products.

"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."

This decision will not impact on Toshiba's commitment to standard DVD, and the company will continue to market conventional DVD players and recorders.

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