HD-DVD dead as Toshiba confirms format war exit

Electronics manufacturer to cease shipments by end of March; Blu-Ray reigns victorious

Toshiba has announced that it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD-DVD players and recorders – leaving the way clear for Blu-Ray to become the dominant high definition DVD format.

The firm will cease shipments of HD-DVD players and recorders into retail by the end of March. It also plans to end production of HD-DVD disk drives for such applications as PCs and games consoles in the same timeframe.

"We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop," said President and CEO of Toshiba Atsutoshi Nishida.