Toshiba releases statement about WB announcement to go Blu

[jadedeath]

You know what sucks?

In Japanese culture, it's the WORST thing to lose in ANY way possible. I feel sorry for Toshiba. For a while, I thought they had the format war in their hands.

Crappy deal for them

Good deal for us.

Logan

[HomerJay]

You must have selective amnesia. Did you forget about Paramount?

Both sides had their own interests at heart, and at the end of the day, it is all about money.

Unlike the Warner decision, the Paramount decision made logical sense. HD DVD is the only format ready for mass production and also the only one with a complete player at affordable prices for the consumer.

Warner's move is anti-consumer, the Paramount move was not.

[zombieflanders]

Unlike the Warner decision, the Paramount decision made logical sense. HD DVD is the only format ready for mass production and also the only one with a complete player at affordable prices for the consumer.

Warner had more facts than you, and they obviously made their choice. Your "logic"=Lashing out with no basis in reality.

[airwedge1]

How does the press release lead to the conclusion "Toshiba has issued a statement in response to Warner's announcement that it plans to drop HD DVD support, and back Blu-ray exclusively."

It doesn't say that in the press release, it says "
We will assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps. We remain firm in our belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer."


It seems to me they are saying they are not giving up...

[DaveS1138]

What he said

"Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.'
decision to abandon HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray"

What he was thinking

"Oh C**P. We are SOOOOO F***ED!"

[nexpos]

I do feel bad for Toshiba, they are a decent company who gave us DVD. I have a feeling they got suckered in to supporting HD DVD instead of compromising with the BDA by Microsoft. I hope this sells millions of PS3's and while Sony and Toshiba make money off of it, MS loses many more billions for its crap software and hardware.

Wow, that's an interesting statement. I can't agree more.

I think MSFT did a lot of bullying in this whole format war.

[TheBrandon]

I personally would like to see how Microsoft would respond.

Announcing a Blu Ray add on would suffice.

[cyberlaz]

I don't think Toshiba was surprised by this at all. The top brass I am sure knew it was coming or was already a done deal probably weeks ago.

The rumor floating around is that Warner got $450 million to go exclusive which was $70 million more than what Toshiba or HD DVD or whoever offered.

I am sure Toshiba realizes that Warner go BD exclusive is almost certainly the end of HD DVD. So, either they would counter on another front with something else like wooing other studios, Xbox 360 HD DVD player, etc. or cut their losses and bail. So, things will be interesting in the coming days if Toshiba does not bail.

But, then again, maybe their research has told them that HDM will be a niche market and they figure to invest in other markets.

I sure hope someone writes a book on all this someday to get all the behind the scenes action.

[mic]

Unlike the Warner decision, the Paramount decision made logical sense. HD DVD is the only format ready for mass production and also the only one with a complete player at affordable prices for the consumer.

Warner's move is anti-consumer, the Paramount move was not.

Oh, please! I'd like to think that the first consideration of every major corporation is the consumer, but I'm not that naive! At the end of the day, money talks, and that's that.

[Fredster]

Wow what a total BS statement.

Actually, just as reliable as Paramounts $150 Mil deal statement, no difference here and just as reliable source!

[Gr00v3r]

I'm sorry but Paramount decision was against the market. Warners decision is made to end the war and allow HDM to thrive and replace DVDs.

[DaveS1138]

We were particularly disappointed that this decision was made in spite of
the significant momentum HD DVD has gained in the US market as well as other regions in 2007. HD DVD players and PCs have outsold Blu-ray in the US market in 2007.

What planet are they on?

Blu-ray sold more players in 2007 (Yes the PS3 is a Blu-ray player)....Blu-ray sold more software in 2007 and was increasing the gap in software sales every week.

Where was this 'significant momentum' exactly?

[nexpos]

We all know money is always involved. Yes, we all criticized the HD DVD "payoff" of Paramount/Dreamworks, and now a probable payoff by BDA to Warner Brothers.

Either way, what next for the XBOX 360? Will they really still want to build in an HD DVD drive into the XBOX Ultimate?

[Fredster]

Against the market?? WTF are you talking about? What if Warner would have gone HD DVD exclusive?

[Blu-News.com]

It's called spin, every company does that. I just feel bad for all those Wal-Mart shoppers who opened their HD DVD players for Christmas and just bought some movies they can't return. lol.