Toshiba throws in towel on HD DVD

Toshiba throws in towel on HD DVD

Toshiba logoThat didn’t take long, certainly less than the Betamax/VHS war. Toshiba is giving up on their HD DVD business, according to Reuters.

“We have entered the final stage of planning to make our exit from the next generation DVD business,” said the anonymous inside source at Toshiba. Japanese public broadcaster NHK had earlier reported Toshiba was closing up shop on the high-def format. The source said an official announcement would be made early this week.

Reuters called the Toshiba public relations office in Tokyo and nobody answered the phone. That’s not a good way to answer the public.

I do have to give props to the company for just ending it instead of prolonging things further.

About Steven Kippel

Steven Kippel has worked as a systems designer for a leading high-end audio/video custom integrator in Southern California since 2003. He is responsible for researching new technologies and integrating them into existing systems and new construction projects. He has designed several high-profile systems for discriminating clients on the cutting-edge of technology. When he is not hard at work, Steven is spending time with his wife, playing with his band or promoting concerts and bands in the Inland Empire. His favorite bands include The Cure, U2, Eisley, Living Sacrifice and DragonForce.

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7 Comments on “Toshiba throws in towel on HD DVD”

  1. Looks like they finally realized that their marketing and promotions suck. From the Reuters article:

    “Marketing was a weak point for Toshiba. We learned a lot from HD DVD. Strengthening marketing will continue to be an issue for us going forward,” the source said.

  2. laughable…

    “marketing” was the only thing keeping it alive….that and the “promotions” (fire sales)

  3. This is such huge news. CNN, 60 Minutes, New York Times, AP, everyone is running this story … and not just wire news. HD DVD group, Toshiba, Universal and Paramount aren’t returning phone calls to any of them.

    Even if These companies try to come back the damage this story caused to HD DVD is immense.

  4. Sounds like the official announcement is coming in a matter of hours.

    Toshiba has a press release scheduled for 5PM Tokyo Time. That’s 12pm PST tonight. Where it’s being reported they will announce pulling all players/recorder from the market in a matter of weeks.

    But I agree Wesley. HD-DVD’s promotions have sucked all through this fight. Another then about 3 commercials they didn’t really have much to say. Firesales were their main weapon and that only scared other CEs away from releasing HD-DVD products backing them into a corner to go it alone.

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