Sources close to the situation have alerted Blu-ray.com that Toshiba is expected announce at a press conference to be held at 5pm (local time) in Tokyo, Japan that they have ended their support of the HD DVD format. Toshiba will announce that effective immediately, production of HD DVD hardware, software, and authoring tools will cease, and that sales and support of existing products will end sometime in March.
As the main supporters of HD DVD, their resignation effectively ends the format war. Blu-ray has won.
Since Warner Brothers' announcement that they would exclusively support the Blu-ray format, rumors have been circulating that HD DVD's lagging sales and loss of studio support would force Toshiba to exit from the high definition format war. The weeks following were riddled with additional studios, retailers, and distributors announcing that they too would support Blu-ray exclusively, concluding with Wal-Mart's announcement last Friday that they would drop support of HD DVD in June.
This information should be considered a rumor until Toshiba makes the official announcement, but our sources have always proven accurate. Once the official announcement is released, we will update this post with any additional information.
Update: Toshiba has made their announcement. Please see press release linked below.
I am so glad that this has finally been decided. As a Blu-ray supporter I do however feel for those who have invested (heavily in some cases) in HD DVD. Let's try and show some respect for them as this time. At least we can all move on now and look forward to quality BD releases from ALL the Hollywood studios. Boy, it's been a helluva ride...
Fear not, those of you who were mislead by the Toshiba hype; There's plenty of room for all of us to dwell together in the world of Blu. Welcome, brothers and sisters, to a better place.
Excellent news, I just hope Paramount & Universal have press releases to announce they going to be joining the BDA! That would make it the best day ever!!!
This is wonderful...we fought a long, hard and tiresome fight, but we stuck it out. I say everyone on this site (especially the Members who have been here from the start) deserves a round of applause, a pat on the back, and a Blu-Ray on their TV for this is a day truly to be remembered. Congratulations EVERYONE!!!!!!!
I wouldnt get your hopes up for an announcement from Paramount/Dreamworks or Universal until at least tomorrow. They will allow Toshiba to bow out and then give thier press release making it sound like they are switching due to hd-dvd throwing in the towel. Thier press releases will occur before the end of day wednesday
Toshiba has finally made the right decision. In fact, they were ready to make this same decision way back during the pre-production stages but were convinced by Microsoft to continue forward and incite this war as Microsoft wanted their HDi technology in everyones livingroom.
In the days to come all those that bought into HDDVD are going to feel very bitter towards Blu-ray which is unfortunate as their anger should be aimed at Microsoft.
Would be interesting to see if the Toshiba announcement includes "and that sales AND SUPPORT OF EXISITING PRODUCTS ...". So basically if you had a HDDUD player and UNI/Para do release any new discs (possibly already on schedule/production) if there are any problems with the features then do not expect a Firmware update to fix it ;-)
Quick death, I love it. RIP hd-dud.
Like many other tru-blu supporters, I never purchased an hd-dvd player, or a paramount movie after the switch to hd-dvd.
I knew 100% blu-ray would win, and I know blu-ray will continue to grow.
I can’t wait for the day paramount comes crawling back; they better hope they release some really good movies, because they will get no pity purchases from me!
Now let’s get those 2.0 players out, and under $300!
AND... to all the hd-dud supporters; how many times did I tell you to ebay your movies ASAP! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
I know I should be gracious about this but....screw you Amir, rjdam, truth teller and nfinty. All your FUD got you and your now deceased format no where. You have no one to blame except Toshiba and their docile marketing. All your FUD about PS3's and attach rates...so much for that. Say hello the to ultimate trojan horse. One in which I'm writing this post with.
If they pull their authorizing licenses and use of the authorizing software immediately then it will be
impossible for anybody to produce HD DVD's. The last Universal, Paramount and Warners HD DVD to
roll off the assembly line would be Tuesday night. Sorry Paramount; No Star Trek for you. Sorry
Universal; No Fletch. Sorry Warners; No Michael Clayton.
It's aBout time!!! This day couldn't come soon enough. Time I go & buy my mom (55 yrs old) her
1st Blu-ray player, already gave her, her 1st hi def t.v.. =)
For a change, the superior format has won. Now to all my Blu-ray friends here: we have lots to look forward to. Let's enjoy it. Someday we will have Transformers, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and all our other favorite movies to see in 1080p with lossless sound!
@azirish: One format will now flourish that its competitor is dead. Remember the mighty VHS? DVD was just a blip on the radar. In less than 3 years, VHS was doomed to extinction.
This is GREAT news. Now Paramount-Universal-Dreamworks start bringing the movies and make us Happy...Braveheart,Transformers,Forest Gump,Shrek,The Bourne Trilogy, Do I have to keep on going.....
lets have a moment of silence for the dearly departed....ok...im good!!!! woot!!!! Bring on the Transformers....@!@@@!!!Welcome back Paramount and welcome to the show, Universal....
Woohoo!!!! The countdown to the final death watch will be finally over. The chambagne's been on the chill and my party poppers are ready. Tick tock tick tock the damn clock and speed it up! LOL!
I'm quite pleased to see this news about Blu-ray becoming the new hi-def standard (and for the fact that I chose to "do Blu" over HD-DVD just over a month ago). I always felt it was the better format. But, regardless, we can finally go full-throttle in to the development of hi-def films. I expect all the studios to start releasing not only their new films, but important and popular films from their extensive libraries much more rapidly and with productions that take full advantage of the Blu-ray technology. And I expect to see titles from Paramount, Universal and the other studios who supported HD-DVD available on Blu-ray quite soon.
azirish, i can remember when vhs was 20.00, and dvd was 28.00. quit being a baby about it. people will adopt the bluray format as soon as hd dvd dies. the consumers have been told by many media sources to wait it out, and like the sheeple they are, they did. however, with the hdtv movement, and the exclusive bluray retail backing of best buy, wal-mart, and target, bluray will become dominant to even dvd.
Just wonderful! A great Blu week this will be once they announce formally! Ahhh...the BDs I will buy: King Kong, Mummy, Dune, Transformers....just to name a few that were once Hd DUD Exclusive. Great news for all movie lovers!!!!
azirish, get real. downloads will not replace at home media such as dvd and bluray any time soon. the quality is not up to par, nor do the average homes have such a connection to make it remotely reasonable. its currently seen as a luxury item at the moment; high end theater equipment; just like the dvd once was, but as stated several times by many other members, bluray will succeed as the dominate media in time.
FINALLY! THAT"S IT! IT"S OVER! IN YOUR FACE, UNIVERSAL AND PARAMOUNT! oh, to any HD-DVD troll who might read this: before you get upset and start bitching about how Toshiba betrayed you and that HD-DVD should've won, you should know that your format sucked anyway, just like your mom last night! HA HA HA HA HA!
It won't be wise to attempt to take down dvd because there's still too many people that support regular dvd plus we're far outnumbered on the blu-ray selection. In time it may happen
can't wait till 02.19.08 at 2am CST. do you think it'll be covered by American broadcasters? i can't wait! why didn't they do this today at 5pm? why Tuesday?
Congratulations Blu! And congrats to everyone here and around the world for supporting the superior format. Enjoy your future Universal and Paramount BDs!!
This is to the users that I am exchanging flames at Engadget and EngadgetHD these past weekend defending our BD camp (not to the creators and/or modivators of the site, no):
SUCK ON THIS NEWS SUCKAZ! HAHA! WHO IS THE DOMINANT NOW A$$WIPE$! GO BACK AND CAVE IN AND CRY ALL YOU WANT. YOUR CAMP IS NOTHING BUT A LOOSER FROM DAY 1. ALWAYS BEEN A LOOSER. NOTHING REALLY MATTERS NOW AS WE HAVE WON THIS WAR. SCREW ALL OF YOU HD DUD LOVERS AND SUPPORTERS. THIS SHOULD SERVE AS A LESSON TO ALL OF YOU. I HOPE THAT YOU DON'T GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH AND I HOPE THAT YOUR HD DUD PLAYERS BREAKS ASAP. I GIVE YOU ALL THE BAD KARMA AND CURSE COMING FROM THE BD CAMP.
WE HAVE WON! I'M POPPING THE eCHAMPAGNE FOR EVERYONE HERE! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY BD CAMPERS AND SUPPORTERS! eDRINKS ARE ON ME FOR THIS ENTIRE WEEK!
(ogscorpion starts running drunk around naked and starts streaking like in Old School) LOL!
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Now I vented my mixed frustration and happiness, I love all you guys.
Yep, we're all spoiled now and only want what looks good and throw away the rest. I gotta admit that regular dvd did look good when it first came out until The Blu came in and invaded
I am so glad to finally here the TRUTH come forward, the WAR is over and the winner is in the BLU. Now, it's just a matter of time for TRANSFORMERS and STAR WARS !!! Long live BLU-RAY, it's Profile 2.0 time. 4, 3, 2, 1
i love the guy who's like "bring on the profile 2.0 and priced under $300!" my HD DVD player was under $300, came with 7 movies, and had internet upgradability ( like all HD DVD players ). yeah toshiba may have "screwed me", but i got a player that would never be out of date as long as the format lasted, a great upconverting player, and something that i will happily play a LOT of bargain bin/ebay HD DVDS on. i just feel sorry for all the early standalone Blu Ray owners who are going to have to buy new machines to have full functionality.
with that being said, i saw the writing on the wall after WB went Blu-only and got a PS3 (only way to go with a Blu player at the moment since other machines are probably unable to upgrade to 2.0). as any impartial person will say, there's no noticable difference in picture or sound quality. now if only the PS3 could get some good games...
TLOTR Trilogy
Star Wars series
Indiana Jones series
The Matrix Trilogy
The Fast and The Furious series
American Gangster
Transformers
Shrek series
Back to the Future trilogy
Jurassic Park series
What the heck...we won! All movies will come in BLU.
As of now 10:15 P.M. EST it is approximately 12:15 P.M. (a little after noon) Tuesday the 19th Tokyo.
So, while we are are all snug in our little beds (3 A.M. EST); while visions of Blu-ray Disc dancing on
the grave of HD DVD the news conference will be going on.
We should have the news first thing in the morning when we wake up.
saidin75, the PS3 has some great games; Resistance: Fall of Man, Devil May Cry 4, Oblivion, Heavenly Sword, and soon to be released; HAZE and Resistance 2.
by the way, while you claim not be be "screwed", you sure do sound bitter.
(ogscorpion continues to streak butt naked all the way in to the gymnasium, shouting to everyone he passes by, "Blu Ray won the war! We're streaking in to the gymnasium!")
YES YES YES Y E S!!!!! I knew about the announcements when it was posted on EnGadgetHD and FormatwarCentral at 4pm, so I figured I will wait to celebrate until 5pm Japan time.,,,,but what the hell.....Bring all the naked girls and crack open those bottles of champaign!!!After almost 2 years of BULLSHIT, and for me 1 and 1/2 years of watching the internet format war news, and posting hundreds of messages on this forum and many others, FINALLY the BLU Truth Defeaths the RED FUD, I feel bad for the cool HDDVD supporters who have invested so much, but I could care less about all the stupid RED fanboys who spread FUD as if their lives depended on it....SCREW THOSE BA$TARDS!!!! I hope they enjoy their HD-DED players and movies, Toshiba wont even give them the courtesy of browsing through the bargain bins, they are ceasing production and distribution of any and all remaining HDDVD software and hardware, and it sounds like everything still remaining on store shelves wil be recalled in the dumpter where it should go!
BYE BYE HDDVD, IN YOUR FACE GRAFFEO and Katzberg!!!!
Hello Transformers and Universal and Paramount/Dreamworks!!!
Long Live High Def OPTICAL & more importantly - TANGIBLE - MEDIA!!!!
I am in Colorado, so I think this should be 3AM Mountain Time, so I will be getting up to check out the newswire!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! THE WORLD IS FINALLY ENTIRELY AND COMPLETELY BLU!!!!!
NOW I WONT HAVE to worry about which movie is distributed by which studio who prints on what format.....screw that shit!!!! ITS ALL BLU BABY!!! ITS ALL BLU!!!
I am extremely happy to hear that this war is finally over. Universal and Paramount will be over in the next few days as well. It's over folks have a beer to celebrate all the hard work!!
nah. not bitter at all. i've got some movies in HD that you guys still won't have for a while and a handy player to play all those $5-10 clearance HD DVDs on. i'm just happy one format finally won. if i sound bitter, it's probably just the pages and pages of people who act like HD DVD called their mama a bad name or something. it was all about business and money. all the techie nerds seem to take things so personally.
i was originally thinking i'd get a Blu ray player... but waited until i really wanted something to play HD media... wanted Transformers, kinda wanted a next gen game console... so i got a HD DVD player. i figured that the worst thing that could happen was HD DVD losing and that would give me an excuse to get a PS3. win-win situation :-)
If true this is not good for HD DVD supporters. Almost 20% of GameStops business is
selling/trading/buying used games and movies.
I bet there were a lot of HD DVD supporters planing on trading in their XBox 360 HD DVD peripheral
and/or HD DVD movies towards games and/or a Playstation 3.
GameStop is one of the largest (if not the largest) retailer that takes trade in hardware and
software. If they will not take HD DVD then the only outlet to unload this stuff will be eBay, and
that is already being inundated with people looking to close out and unload their HD DVD
collections.
Sources close to the situation have alerted Blu-ray.com that Toshiba is expected announce at a press conference to be held at 5pm (local time) in Tokyo, Japan that they have ended their support of the HD DVD format. Toshiba will announce that effective immediately, production of HD DVD hardware, software, and authoring tools will cease, and that sales and support of existing products will end sometime in March.
Won't see it live !! 
