“Microsoft said it will stop making HD DVD players for its Xbox 360 video game system after Toshiba ceded the high-definition video format battle to Sony’s Blu-ray,” The Associated Press reports.
“Microsoft said Saturday it would continue to provide standard warranty support for its HD DVD players,” AP reports. “Toshiba President Atsutoshi Nishida last week estimated about 300,000 people own the Microsoft video player, sold as a separate US$130 add-on for the Xbox 360.”
“Microsoft was one of HD DVD’s main backers, along with Intel and Japanese electronics maker NEC, and its support for the format was seen as a big win for Toshiba’s format,” AP reports. “But support for the HD DVD waned as major movie studios — Sony Pictures, Walt Disney, News Corp.’s Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros. Entertainment — picked Blu-ray to distribute high-def DVDs. Wal-Mart Stores struck what seemed to be the final blow just over a week ago when it said it would only sell Blu-ray players and discs.”
“The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker said the decision to stop selling HD DVD players won’t have a material impact on its video game business,” AP reports.
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “JadisOne” for the heads up.]
So, supposedly, HD DVD’s death won’t hurt Microsoft, but what about your customers who’re stuck with obsolete HD disc players? Oh, right, they’re screwed again; par for the course! “300,000 suckers at $130 a pop! Next, we’ll sell ’em Blu-ray replacements!” – that’s sure to generate some more laughs over cocktails during executive lunches up in Redmond.