Toshiba will no longer develop, make or market HD DVD. This makes Blu-ray (backed by Sony & Panasonic and five major Hollywood movie studios) the winner in the battle over high-def. The HD DVD camp included Microsoft, Intel Corp and NEC Corp. So you could also conclude the consumer electronics boys outmaneuvered the IT guys in this war.
Toshiba says the pivotal point was when Warner Bros. decided to release movie only in Blu-ray, so content was a key factor. Retail played its role: WalMart’s decision to go exclusively with BluRay and Netflix (the US rental king) also created critical mass for Blu-Ray.
Every war has victims: an estimated 1 million people already bought HD DVD machines and videos. Other victims included the entire channel as we all suffer when vendors can’t agree on standards.