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Toshiba May Pull HD DVD Plug

Sales, studio defections indicate fat lady may have sung

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 17, 2008 2:08 PM CST
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(Newser) – Toshiba has temporarily halted production of players and movies in the HD DVD format, and is contemplating dropping the format altogether, PC World reports. The move would cost the company tens of billions of dollars, but the defection of several studios and retailers to the rival Blu-Ray format has left HD DVD’s future very much in doubt.

"We are making considerations following the impact of Warner's announcement but we haven't made any decision," said a Toshiba spokesman, referring to Warner Brothers' January decision to back Blu-Ray. Further siding with Blu-Ray by Netflix and Wal-Mart in the past week may sound HD DVD's death knell; a formal announcement from Toshiba is expected this week.

Akio Ozaka, President and CEO of Toshiba America Consumer Products, speaks about Toshiba's HD-DVD and other Blu-Ray players during a news conference at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 before the start of the convention on Monday. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Akio Ozaka, President and CEO of Toshiba America Consumer Products, speaks about Toshiba's HD-DVD and other Blu-Ray players during a news conference at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas,...   (Associated Press)
Akio Ozaka, President and CEO of Toshiba America Consumer Products, speaks about Toshiba's HD-DVD and other Blu-Ray players during a news conference at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 before the start of the convention on Monday. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Akio Ozaka, President and CEO of Toshiba America Consumer Products, speaks about Toshiba's HD-DVD and other Blu-Ray players during a news conference at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas,...   (Associated Press)
The HD DVD booth on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
The HD DVD booth on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)   (Associated Press)
A Toshiba sign is shown at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, as exhibitors get ready for the opening of the Consumer Electronics Show. Toshiba Corp. executives had a tough moment Sunday, when they had to face reporters just two days after its HD...
A Toshiba sign is shown at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, as exhibitors get ready for the opening of the Consumer Electronics Show. Toshiba Corp. executives had a...   (Associated Press)
A Toshiba HD-DVD disc player is seen at a Ken Crane's Big Screen Headquarters store in Buena Park, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
A Toshiba HD-DVD disc player is seen at a Ken Crane's Big Screen Headquarters store in Buena Park, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)   (Associated Press)
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