HD DVD dropped by Wal-Mart, Toshiba?

Megaretailer goes Blu-ray-exclusive as competing format's creator is reportedly ready to throw in the towel.

It's been a rough year for Toshiba's HD DVD format. After spending 2006 and 2007 locked in a heated battle with the Sony-backed Blu-ray for high-definition, high-capacity disc format dominance, HD DVD has suffered a series of devastating setbacks in the first two months of the year.

Warner Bros. kicked 2008 off by going Blu-ray exclusive in the first week of January. An apparently panicked HD DVD camp canceled its Consumer Electronics Show conference in response, and reports quickly surfaced that HD DVD holdouts Paramount and Universal were looking to switch to Blu-ray.

Bad news for HD DVD fans is continuing to snowball this week, as Best Buy and movie rental service Netflix both said they would back the Sony-supported format going forward. (Best Buy will still stock HD DVD, but its salespeople will advise prospective customers to go Blu-ray).

Two more big names came up as abandoning HD DVD today. This morning the official Wal-Mart blog confirmed that the massive retail chain is going Blu-ray exclusive by June, and the Hollywood Reporter is citing "reliable industry sources" for the news that Toshiba itself is ready to drop its own format.

A Toshiba representative denied the news to the film-focused trade newspaper, but left plenty of room for people to infer there is some truth to the report.

"Given the market developments in the past month," the rep is quoted as saying, "Toshiba will continue to study the market impact and the value proposition for consumers, particularly in light of our recent price reductions on all HD DVD players."

A source "close to the HD-DVD camp" told the paper that an announcement could be made in a matter of weeks, but that it is definitely coming soon.

637 Comments

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 10:50 am PT

    Obviously Wal-mart dropped the HD-DVD format... it's dead! Long live Blu-Ray!

  • NoShenanigans

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 3:22 am PT

    Let's face it, if you want the best possible picture, you have to have some type of high definition player with your HD TV. Those upconverters make it better, but if you don't own an HDTV plus a blu ray or hddvd player, then you shouldn't make the jump. With prices of the movies still up there, I think it may be a couple of years before I even make the jump to the new format. I can live with the free blu rays that came with my PS3 for a while and still buy regular dvds until things get better with cost. Still, great news for Sony as long as TVs don't have hard drives and DVR services don't come out with easier way to get HD movies that you can KEEP forever.

  • andrew_ribbons

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 3:16 am PT

    This is just annoying me to hell, i was hoping that Sony wouldn't get the upper hand at all, never mind a victory. I thought people had the sense to understand that if you let a heavily commericialised heavily INDEPENDANT company get a grip on a GLOBAL marketing method, the PRICES WILL rocket. £30/$60 per movie...here we come....well, here you guys come anyway. While i can rent a movie off Xbox Live for 250 MS Points, which is about £.1.70, i don't think i'll ever bother with any medium ever again, especially anything beyond DVDs, which i can buy for £10 a disk. NOT THREE TIMES THAT *gives Sony a death-stare*.

  • andrew_ribbons

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 3:10 am PT

    Zerosumgame ""Microsoft said Tuesday it will no longer develop, make or market Xbox 360 Console, handing a victory to rival Sony Playstation and Nintendo wii in the battle of console."

    A future headline now."

    Lol sorry to pull the plug but the PS3 is still a loss-making business for Sony right now, due to appauling software sales. So change MS to "Sony" and you'll have that more accurate. The Xbox is still doing way better than the PS3 and also, more to the point, MS doesn't care about HD-DVD or Blu-ray. Yes, you heard me right, neither. Because digital downloads are far more convenient and far better value

    Oops, did i burst your bubble? Sorry about that, must have slipped the tongue.

  • Vampire_Turtle

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 2:57 am PT

    "Sony didn't invent DVD! They created the MultiMedia Compact Disc, which didn't gain much support, so they scrapped it and backed Toshiba's Super Density disc, which became DVD."

    At least someone knows that as well.

    - Vampire Turtle

  • Great_Ragnarok

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 1:42 am PT

    Autolycus save your breath mate. The only change you can guarantee is yours!

  • Great_Ragnarok

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 1:38 am PT

    Sad sad day when competitions gone. I hope warner bros and the rest don't go Blue ray exclusive for another 6-7 years.coz DVD is still better...and cheaper,

  • Zerosumgame

    Posted Feb 19, 2008 12:50 am PT

    "Microsoft said Tuesday it will no longer develop, make or market Xbox 360 Console, handing a victory to rival Sony Playstation and Nintendo wii in the battle of console."

    A future headline now.

  • LOGGER13

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 9:15 pm PT

    Autolycus reading your comment gave me a headache. This is a comments section not a forum! Write a blog or something ... geez.

  • CrushedGroove

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 7:51 pm PT

    "Hey Vampire turtle, You say do we really want sony in charge of our DVDs. Sony Invented the DVDs we all have been using Since the first DVD was released. Get a clue! HD-DVD is DEAD!"

    Sony didn't invent DVD! They created the MultiMedia Compact Disc, which didn't gain much support, so they scrapped it and backed Toshiba's Super Density disc, which became DVD.

  • Gameboy2k

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 7:13 pm PT

    Boys II Men sing....
    It's so harrd..... To say goodbye...... To yesterday............eeeeeee

    In memory of HD-DVD. RIP 2006-2008

  • andrius45

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 3:53 pm PT

    who made HD-DVD anyway

  • HeathO

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 2:20 pm PT

    Hey Vampire turtle, You say do we really want sony in charge of our DVDs. Sony Invented the DVDs we all have been using Since the first DVD was released. Get a clue! HD-DVD is DEAD!

  • Autolycus

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 1:42 pm PT

    since when does the media announce the truth. what if they are getting profits for blu-ray just like everyone else in the blu-ray camp? what would stop them from making news up? its unethical?! ha, yeah right, wake up.

  • runstalker

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 1:17 pm PT

    Klugenbeel man, it's ovah.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/technology/18toshiba.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

  • Burnout_Avenged

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 1:10 pm PT

    Hmm. There's only one thing I can say-

    Go Blu-Ray!

  • klugenbeel

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 1:10 pm PT

    The war is not over, don't listen to the media just yet. Never beleive anything until it is official. Never think its 100% because they said the company is/could announce something tomorrow/next week/ect. The war is just moving into a new direction, check out my blog on the HD-DVD Blu-Ray War if you are interested in where the war is going, but it is not over!

  • TAEnemy

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 12:53 pm PT

    That's too bad. I was rooting for HD.

  • Vampire_Turtle

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 12:45 pm PT

    The only reason that blu-ray is being backed so much, is that it is harder to copy. However here is some interesting facts about Blu-Ray DVDs.

    1) Blu-Ray DVDs do not offer as much content as the HD DVD does, and they will upgrade this in the series 2 of Blu Ray.

    2) People who have bought Blu-Ray player, excluding PS3s and PC Blu-Ray Drives. Will not be able to play the latest tech in the Series 2 of Blu-Ray, due to the fact the Series 1 Blu-Ray Players have no internet connection, and so cannot update. Unlike HD DVDs'.

    3) Do we really want Sony in charge of our DVDs? All of them?

    - Vampire Turtle

  • markd751

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 12:39 pm PT

    wow that was quick

  • thekey

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 12:34 pm PT

    HD DUD.

    Rust In Peace!

  • Franzkill

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 12:12 pm PT

    To hardcore gamer:

    I'm glad you like to call your mates 'dumb'.

  • decoy1978

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:59 am PT

    Consumers hate Add-On technology.... will companies ever learn!

  • fluffebunnie

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:56 am PT

    R.I.P. HD-DVD. You... won't be missed actually.

  • nobeaner

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:56 am PT

    Well so long HD-DVD.

  • runstalker

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:32 am PT

    By the way, CNN is about to air a news segment (Monday 2:35 eastern) about Blu-ray vs. HD DVD.

    *Well that was underwhelming. CNN's biz reporter essentially said that Toshiba would officially announce as early as tomorrow that they're pulling out of the HD DVD business, stranding just over 1 million HD DVD owners with discarded hardware.

  • slammedc

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:31 am PT

    To Autolycus:

    You wrote: I don't mean to sound all knowing cause I am not, but Windows Vista is not in the future of business desktops, which carries over to home desktops. Vista home premium (the only one you can get from a box computer) doesnt not work on domains (if you know what that is). That is the number 1 reason it sucks. the second reason is simple. even @ idle, the fastest laptop available (which i have personally tested and verified), runs 25% at idle. That means that vista is using 25% of your system resources all the time. the only difference is its "pretty" which you can make xp look identicle to vista if you want, and run faster. And to your friends, just because their are ignorant (no offense) does not mean its a good O/S --- You are correct, you are not omipotent, but you want to seem that way. Again, you are saying that Vista sucks because it won't work on a domain (unsure if this is true) and that it uses a hefty amount of resources all the time no matter how good of a system you have (unsure if this is true). This counter still sounds like a strong opinion, where have you gotten this information? You have the fastest laptop available right now, what is that laptop, I may want to purchase it.

    You wrote: Who cares? Paying extra (which is exactly what will happen once hd-dvd dies) for left over space is a waste. Blu-Ray requires more money to manufacture, more energy, more planet resources and for what? So some forum can try to control what is copied and what isnt? --- Autolycus, where do you get such facts regarding Blu-Ray? You are also assuming prices will increase, they might decrease once the other media has disappeared as there will be no competition and they won't have to "pad" prices in order to make their money back "in case it fails".

    You wrote: You are obviously mistaken. Consumers didnt choose that, big business did. All my friends have HD-DVD players, (then again non have a PS3) and they support the free market, unlike Sony and their money hungry tactics. Me personally, I'll just download from here out because I don't support Big Business making my decisions for me. From here out, if its not Universal or Paramount, I will simply download it illegally and yes you can quote me on that cause I am not afraid of them --- Another strong opinion, with no facts. Also, I don't find it wise to openly promote piracy. If you can't afford it out right than you shouldn't steal it, what does that say of your root character?

  • wingnut99

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:29 am PT

    I dont care who wins. I just want this thing over. I also want to see the price dop some more.

  • runstalker

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:26 am PT

    Toshiba appears to make the HD DVD exodus official--and ever-so-costly, set to cost them 400-500 million, public broadcaster NHK (Japanese national TV) reported on Saturday.

  • avsfan7733

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:22 am PT

    blue ray winning is just another reason the PS3 is looking so enticing right now...

  • AtlanticRock

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 11:04 am PT

    I hope by next year all games come in those SEXY little blu-ray/hd-dvd cases... I hate DVD cases... too bulky... the high def discs come in those sleek slim cases... I love 'em...

  • klugenbeel

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 10:59 am PT

    condemned100, That doesn't even make sense there was no war on format between the 2, but say what you want. Here is a fact for you, more people buy Xbox 360s than PS3s, so whos winning the CONSOLE war....oh yeah, Xbox 360! The "Console" war is the only war 360 and PS3 are fighting, and from the numbers, the PS3 is lossing, and lossing bad. Where's your exclusives that don't suck or tank in projected sales?

  • Calmed_Fury

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 10:53 am PT

    its about time

  • Autolycus

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 10:48 am PT

    space-q --- what makes you think the other half of the people without the internet are even watching movies?

  • Threesixtyci

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 10:25 am PT

    Boy... when somthing dies, it dies quickly.

  • condemned100

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 10:22 am PT

    it is clear that PS3 beat the Xbox 360 in the Blu-ray Format

  • Space-Q

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 9:58 am PT

    "So stop fighting for Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Both are going to be obsolete and replaced by downloadable and streaming technology, and of coz in HD too."

    not for a loooonnngggg time. most (notice the word most. not some. not half. MOST) people still have no internet access or a 56k connection. we are nowhere near downloads being the norm. not even close.

  • SemiMaster

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 9:56 am PT

    You know what??? I don't care. I own a PS3 and 360 to play games on them. Anyone else here do the same?

  • Space-Q

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 9:51 am PT

    "High def bangin is why i wear my glasses to bed."

    HAHAHA congratulations on having the best post ever. I really started laughing out loud at work when I read that.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 9:06 am PT

    Thank goodness! I don't think too many hi-tech people will be disappointed with their HD-DVD purchases because they got to enjoy the hi-def video market at a low price for a little while. It's not like the quality of the video was bad or anything. They just have to give in a purchase a BD player now if they want hi-def outside of what cable and satellite offer.

    I don't ever use my Laser Disc player, but I love watching Moral Kombat on it still because the quality is still as good as DVD.

    I'm glad that Toshiba is going ahead and stepping down on this. They really didn't need to drag it out any further.

    Best Buy employees suck. They are paid to be walking, talking advertisements. I just tell them to bug off unless I need them to get something for me. I feel sorry for those people who make bad purchase decisions based on a BB rep.

    At least NetFlix is going to carry the HD-DVD videos that are already available for a while. They just aren't adding any new titles to their library.

    Congratulations Sony! You did it this time!

  • starcher5150

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 8:48 am PT

    We are just one more day closer to the rumored 360 Blu-Ray add on.

    http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/rumor-xbox-360-blu-ray-player-could-be-out-by-may/

  • FATMAN87

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 8:35 am PT

    wow, that was a really bad move for people who purchased an hd dvd player. i feel sorry for those people and the companies or retailers better have a solution for those who purchased a dying format.

  • Paul_TheGreat

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 8:26 am PT

    HD-DVD R.I.P 2006-2008

  • runstalker

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 8:20 am PT

    One of the nice gaming side effects of Blu-ray winning early in '08 (instead of dragging the HD disc battle into another holiday season) is how studios are starting to talk about including PS3 content on Blu-ray film releases. Either way, I'd like to see more features in the Blu version of Transformers coming in April.

  • RakinR

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 8:20 am PT

    this is the dam reason why more ps3s are going to be sold. PS3s are going to oversell 360 >.

  • bottaboomstick

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 6:54 am PT

    High def bangin is why i wear my glasses to bed.

  • slammedc

    Posted Feb 18, 2008 6:26 am PT

    To Autolycus:

    A- Your Windows Vista sucks comment is just an opinion, with no facts to support it. I don't have Vista myself, but a few of my friends do and they don't hate it.

    B- They may have the same codec and look almost identical but which one holds more data?

    C- America has a free market and thus America has chosen to allow the better format to win. HD DVD had a fair chance and even started first, Toshiba should have done more research they made their money with the standard DVD format. Time for them to step aside.

    D- No comment.

    You have to remember this is the same country that allows our professional athletes to make ungodly amounts of money for playing a game that is merely for entertainment, while allowing men and women of our armed forces to live and die for our country with minimum pay.

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