Okay, how many of you know how to play the bugle? We need someone to play “Taps” while we discuss this story.
You knew this day was coming, gang — you just probably didn’t think it would arrive this quickly. In a statement released Tuesday, Toshiba announced it had completed a “thorough review of its overall strategy” and concluded the company “will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders.” Atsutoshi Nishida, Toshiba’s president and CEO, was quoted as saying:
“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. 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.”
According to the statement, Toshiba is “aiming for cessation” of its HD DVD manufacturing and shipping by the end of next month, but will “continue…to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products.”
And wouldn’t you know it, before the day was out, Universal pulled its own plug on the format, releasing a statement indicating its support for Blu-ray:
“While Universal values the close partnership we have shared with Toshiba, it is time to turn our focus to releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray. The path for widespread adoption of the next-generation platform has finally become clear. Universal will continue its aggressive efforts to broaden awareness for high-def’s unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity, at an increasingly affordable price. The emergence of a single, high-definition format is cause for consumers, as well as the entire entertainment industry, to celebrate.”
You hear that, consumers? This is a time for celebration. Why are you crying, HD DVD owners? You have unparalleled offerings in interactivity and connectivity at an increasingly affordable price to look forward to!
