Toshiba Applies to Join Blu-ray Disc Association

[Ben]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/business...127685075.html

Press Release
Toshiba Applies to Join Blu-ray Disc Association
08.10.09, 03:01 AM EDT

BusinessWire - Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) announced today that the company has applied for membership of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and plans to introduce products that support the Blu-ray format.

As a market leader in digital technologies, Toshiba provides a wide range of advanced digital products, such as DVD recorders and players, HDTVs and notebook PCs that support a wide range of storage devices, including hard disk drives (HDD), DVD, and SD Cards. In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA.

Toshiba aims to introduce digital products that support the Blu-ray format, including BD players and notebook PCs integrating BD drives, in the course of this year. Details of the products, including the timing of regional launches, are now under consideration. We will make announcements in due course.

SOURCE: Toshiba Corporation

[bettzysdaddy]

First response! I'm hoping for a dual format support player. Even if it's not advertised, I'm hoping Toshiba throws this in so I can get rid of one of my back ups.

[CaptainCanuck]

I'm surprised it took so long.Can't imagine the shareholders standing for this big a market to be left unexploited.

[Indy_aka_Rex]

It's about time they swallowed that bitter, bitter pill and manned up.

[Thulsadoom]

From a business perspective, it's probably the notebook/drive market they can't ignore, and which has likely been their primary incentive. And of course once they've decided that, then it doesn't make any sense not to make SAs too.

I'm looking forward to their first player! It makes sense that for their first entrance into this market, after the war, they'll do their best to make something that really impresses.

[The_Doctor]

What was all the hoopla about earlier? They weren't even fricken members

Let see what they actually do. I'd hope that they'd at least show their HD buyers some consideration.

Far as their share holders go, I can't imagine they were too happy with them throwing in the towel. The Blu market is still small but the dropping Blu player prices are forcing the DVD upconverter market prices lower and so it makes a certain amount of sense to bundle it with a blu player and charge more.

[The_Doctor]

Originally Posted by Thulsadoom

From a business perspective, it's probably the notebook/drive market they can't ignore, and which has likely been their primary incentive. And of course once they've decided that, then it doesn't make any sense not to make SAs too.

I'm looking forward to their first player! It makes sense that for their first entrance into this market, after the war, they'll do their best to make something that really impresses.

It will be interesting to see if they go the JVC rout or do it in house.

I suspect the Laptops will get their first attention. That is a much more competitive market.

[xboxboi]

Ultimate Disk Recorder.

Plays

BD profile 3.0
HD DVD
CBHD
SVCD
VCD
CD
DVDA
SACD

at $299

[xboxboi]

Originally Posted by Thulsadoom

From a business perspective, it's probably the notebook/drive market they can't ignore, and which has likely been their primary incentive. And of course once they've decided that, then it doesn't make any sense not to make SAs too.

I'm looking forward to their first player! It makes sense that for their first entrance into this market, after the war, they'll do their best to make something that really impresses.

well the cheapest BD drive is more than 10x the price of DVD drive where i am from. Good luck!!

I suspect the first product will be a BD Recorder for Japan only.

[Pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by The_Doctor

What was all the hoopla about earlier? They weren't even fricken members .

The hoopla was about something that was initiated nearly 18 months ago. This is just a formal announcement.

Pro-B

[friedchicken]

Originally Posted by The_Doctor

What was all the hoopla about earlier? They weren't even fricken members

All the hoopla was about insiders hearing buzz about Toshiba supporting bluray.

Smoke before the fire.

All the earlier hoopla was the smoke....now we see the fire.

[furriballs]

Originally Posted by Indy_aka_Rex

It's about time they swallowed that bitter, bitter pill and manned up.

Now that the mothership is about to swallow, maybe the few holdouts (and we all know who they are), will do the same.

[motion]

I know it's a stretch for some but perhaps this time a more gracious aknowlegement of this milestone would be more suitable.

So far, the in-your-face, nose-thumbing, raspberry-making approach has only served to create and further fuel the "few holdouts" to continue to be "holdouts".

If you want peace, then act like people who want peace. Not antagonistic war mongers.

[furriballs]

Originally Posted by motion

I know it's a stretch for some but perhaps this time a more gracious aknowlegement of this milestone would be more suitable.

So far, the in-your-face, nose-thumbing, raspberry-making approach has only served to create and further fuel the "few holdouts" to continue to be "holdouts".

If you want peace, then act like people who want peace. Not antagonistic war mongers.

Yeah, let's all hold hands and sing songs of peace and love.

[chris gerhard]

Originally Posted by bettzysdaddy

First response! I'm hoping for a dual format support player. Even if it's not advertised, I'm hoping Toshiba throws this in so I can get rid of one of my back ups.

Toshiba has announced the company will not make another HD DVD player and the additional cost to add HD DVD would place their Blu-ray player at a disadvantage in this highly competitive market. There is a slightly greater than zero chance Toshiba will make a Blu-ray/HD DVD player, approximately the same odds that you will hit a unicorn on your way to work today.

Chris