HD DVD Nearing End?

Could it be game over for HD DVD? We here at HDDVDFreak feel like of late it has been nothing but negative news to report. Now comes word from industry sources Toshiba could be killing the format altogether some time shortly.

The Hollywood Reporter, citing sources, said Toshiba is "widely expected to pull the plug on its HD DVD format sometime in the coming weeks...after a rash of retail defections that followed Warner Home Video's announcement in early January that it would support only the rival Blu-ray Disc format after May."

Speculation suggests substantial losses related to HD DVD hardware production, dips in HD DVD disc sales and defects from the HD DVD camp may have made Toshiba finally cash in its chips. Toshiba denied it was planning to end HD DVD, but did say it is continuing  "to study the market impact."

Microsoft Cuts Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Price

It looks as if Microsoft has shaved a little off of the price tag for its Xbox 360 HD DVD Player accessory. It was reported this morning by Major Nelson, aka Larry Hryb of Microsoft, the company was dropping the retail price from $179.99 to $129.99 and that the drop was immediately effective in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

There was no immediate word on why the price drop was made, but one has to think with the recent Toshiba HD DVD player price drops Microsoft is just trying to stay up with the pack.

Interview Reveals Interesting HD DVD Thoughts

A recent interview published by BetaNews focuses in on thoughts of executive vice president for Universal Studios and co-president of the HD DVD Promotional Group Ken Graffeo about the recent turbulence in the HD DVD camp. It provides HD DVD fans some interesting insights into how things are looking for the disc format.

Graffeo talks openly about how Warner's abrupt move to jump ship impacted the planned flow of the annual HD DVD CES press event, resulting in its cancellation. He also states firmly that Universal continues to back HD DVD, backing up earlier statements, and, perhaps most interestingly, the door is never closed to the possibility of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc coming together to unify under one standard.

[via High-Def Digest]

Paramount Announces 1st Quarter 08 HD DVD Titles

Panasonic Home Entertainment has detailed its HD DVD line up for the first quarter of this year. 10 titles are expected to be released over the next few months.

Highlights of upcoming releases include Zodiac, Beowulf and The Kite Runner. You can get the full details via Panasonic's press release after the jump.

Toshiba Dropping HD DVD Player Prices

Toshiba revealed some new HD DVD marketing initiatives today to help bolster sales of the HD DVD format. These moves come as the company declares "record-breaking unit sales in the fourth quarter of 2007."

Toshiba says it had "#1 sales volume in the next generation DVD category with an approximately 50 percent market share in 2007" as well as having an 80 percent plus market share in next generation DVD notebook computers.

In order to entice consumers more into HD DVD, Toshiba dropped prices on some of its players. The entry-model HD-A3 will be $149.99, the HD-A30, with 1080p output, $199.99, and the high-end HD-A35, $299.99. The company will also be conducting "an extended advertising campaign" across multiple media channels.

Universal, Paramount: We Are Staying Put

A post we put up earlier today over at BluRayFreak reported how the last two major studios backing HD DVD, Universal and Paramount, might be thinking about departing for the Blu-ray camp. Breaking news and further digging has in fact revealed those two studios will not be departing the HD DVD side anytime soon:

• Paramount told Bloomberg its current plan is "to continue to support the HD DVD format."
• Universal just issued a statement as well saying "contrary to unsubstantiated rumors from unnamed sources, Universal's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format."

There you have it - no more defections from the HD DVD camp. Those cries of happiness in Japan just got louder.

ACER Joins the HD DVD Camp

Only a week after ACER joined the Blu-ray camp, they officially announcing that they also join the HD DVD camp. ACER mentioned their intention to continue to support HD DVD in their laptops.

"Acer is pleased to join the North American HD DVD Promotional Group to help bring the freshest technology to more consumers worldwide," said Campbell Kan, Vice President, Mobile Computing Business Unit, Acer Inc. "We are confident that our comprehensive HD DVD notebook offers will meet consumers' demand and expectation for true high definition experience. I look forward to further promoting the merit of HD DVD, in close collaboration with the Group."

Source

About Toshiba

Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high technology products with subsidiaries worldwide. Toshiba is a pioneer in DVD and DVD Recorder technology and a leading manufacturer of a full line of home entertainment products, including flat panel TV, rear and front projection and direct view televisions, combination products and portable devices. Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. For additional information please visit www.tacp.toshiba.com.

About HD DVD Promotion group

Established on December 22, 2004, the HD DVD Promotion Group is a voluntary organization dedicated to promoting development and assuring the early impact and long-term success of products and content based on the new HD DVD formats. Membership in the Group is open to any company or organization that is engaged, or will engage, in the development and/or manufacture of any HD DVD content or hardware products. As of today, the Group has 110 member companies.

Website : http://www.hddvdprg.com

About DVD Forum

The DVD Forum develops and defines DVD formats. Its more than 200 strong membership brings together leaders in movies and entertainment, computing, consumer electronics and software. In November 2003, the DVD Forum adopted the HD DVD format as the next- generation, post-DVD standard for high capacity, high definition optical discs.
The North American HD DVD Promotional Group, Inc. is an organization established to promote the HD DVD format and educate consumers in North America.

About Acer

Acer ranks as the world's No. 4 branded PC vendor, designing easy, dependable IT solutions that empower people to reach their goals and enhance their life. Since spinning-off its manufacturing operation, Acer has focused on globally marketing its brand-name products: mobile and desktop PCs, servers and storage, LCD monitors and high-definition TVs, peripherals, and e-business solutions for business, government, education, and home users. Acer's unique Channel Business Model has been instrumental in the company's latest success. The model encourages partners and suppliers to collaborate in a winning formula of supply-chain management, allowing Acer to provide customers with fresh technologies, competitive pricing, and quality service. Established in 1976, Acer Inc. employs 5,600 people supporting dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. Revenues in 2005 reached US$9.7 billion.

Website: www.acer.com

About Thomson

Thomson (Euronext:18453) (NYSE:TMS) provides technology, services, and systems and equipment to help its Media & Entertainment clients - content creators, content distributors, and users of its technology - realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly-changing technology environment. The Group is the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA, and Thomson brands.

Website : http://www.thomson.net.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2003 parent company sales of US$36.4 billion and net income of US$5.0 billion.

About Sony

Sony is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of consumer electronic equipment. Co.'s principal products include home audio, portable audio, car audio, and car navigation systems; video cameras, digital still cameras, video decks, and DVD-video players/recorders; CRT-based televisions, projection televisions, and PDP televisions, LCD televisions; PC, printer system, and portable information PC; LCDs, and CCDs; optical pickups, and data recording systems; Aiwa products, entertainment robots, and cellular phones; and home game. Co. is also engaged in the production of recorded music and videos, motion pictures, and TV programs as well as in the provision of insurance and financial services. Sony is one the founding members of the Blu-ray disc association.

About LG ELECTRONICS

LG Electronics (KSE: 06657.KS) is a global leader in providing cutting- edge, convergent electronics, information and communications products designed to meet the diverse needs of fast- changing consumers.

About Warner Home Video

With operations in 89 international territories, Warner Home Video commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace.

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise which includes Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, The Walt Disney Studios, ABC, Inc., ESPN, Disney Channel, Disney Consumer Products, television and radio stations and Internet web sites.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is involved in the development of Blu-ray dvd players as a member of the Board of directors of the Blu-ray disc association. Website : www.panasonic.com

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS and DVD as well as video acquisitions and original productions. The company is involved in the development of blu-ray films and is a member of the blu-ray disc association.

About Pioneer

Pioneer Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the leading manufacturers of consumer and business-use electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics on a global scale. Pionner is a member of the Board of Directors of the Blu-ray disc association.

About Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment

Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment is part of Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom Inc. is involved in the development of blu-ray films.

About the Blu-ray Disc Association

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) is responsible for promoting and further developing business opportunities for Blu-ray Disc -- the next-generation optical disc for storing high-definition movies, games, photos and other digital content.

About Avid Technology

Avid Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games, and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively, and creatively. Website : www.avid.com.

About HP

HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally.

About Verbatim

Verbatim? Corporation, a Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Company, is an international organization that develops and markets innovative, high-quality products for storing, moving and using digital content.

About Broadcom

Broadcom offers manufacturers a range of broadband communications and consumer electronics SoCs that enable voice, video and data services over residential wired and wireless networks.

About NVIDIA

NVIDIA Corporation is the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies.

About Imation

Imation Corp is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of magnetic and optical removable data storage media.

About Technicolor

Headquartered in Camarillo, California, Technicolor is part of the Services division of Thomson (Euronext Paris:18453) (NYSE:TMS). Along with being the world's largest film processor, Technicolor has evolved to become the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of videocassettes, DVDs, and CDs, and a leading provider of production, postproduction, and visual effects services to film studios and cable and television networks. Technicolor is involved in the development of blu-ray products.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

About Intel

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/ pressroom.

About CyberLink

CyberLink Corp. is the maker of award-winning applications PowerDVD, PowerDirector, PowerCinema, and DVD Solution.

About CustomFlix

CustomFlix Labs, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., is the leader in DVD on Demand services for enterprise and independent media content owners.

About Sipex Corporation

Sipex Corporation is a semiconductor company that designs, manufactures and markets high performance, value-added analog integrated circuits (IC).

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion picture, television, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content.

About InterVideo, Inc.

InterVideo is a leading provider of integrated digital and high- definition multimedia and audio/video content solutions in the PC, CE and wireless industries.

About Fujifilm

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and delivers technology solutions to meet the imaging and information needs of retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's largest music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations.

About Sigma Designs, Inc.

Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM) specializes in silicon-based MPEG decoding for streaming video, progressive DVD playback, and advanced digital set-top boxes.

About Memorex

Memorex, a division of Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), is the U.S. market-share leader in optical media and media accessories at retail. Since the early 1970s, Memorex has been one of the most widely recognized and respected names in the consumer electronics industry. Today, it is an influential brand in CD and DVD media, optical drives and USB flash drives. Memorex is involved in the development of blu-ray discs. Website : www.memorex.com

About Nero

Nero provides state-of-the-art software solutions for the global digital media market. Nero is involved in the development of blu-ray softwares.

About Sonic Solutions

Sonic Solutions is the leader in digital media software, providing a broad range of interoperable, platform independent software tools and applications for creative professionals, business and home users, and technology partners. Sonic is involved in the development of blu-ray products.

About TDK

TDK Corporation (NYSE: TDK) is a leading global electronics company based in Japan.

About Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., is a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension, ABC, ESPN and Buena Vista products which includes an array of direct-to-video properties.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories creates technologies that intensify and enhance the entertainment experience. For nearly four decades, Dolby has been instrumental in defining high-quality audio and surround sound in cinema, broadcast, home audio systems, cars, DVDs, headphones, games, televisions, and personal computers. Based in San Francisco with European headquarters in England, the privately held company has entertainment industry liaison offices in New York and Los Angeles, and licensing liaison offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. MLP Lossless is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.