Microsoft-backed HD DVD snubbed
By Seattle Times technology staff
Feb. 18

HD DVD, the high-definition video format Microsoft was backing, felt four possibly fatal blows last week.

Netflix, Best Buy and Wal-Mart all announced their support for the competitive format, Blu-ray Disc. Then the Hollywood Reporter quoted anonymous sources saying that even HD DVD's prime backer, Toshiba, is expected to give up the format fight "sometime in the coming weeks."

So where does that leave Microsoft, which sells a $130 add-on HD DVD player for its Xbox 360? Sony's PlayStation 3 has a built-in Blu-ray player.

We asked a spokeswoman with the PR firm that handles Xbox for comment on Microsoft's plans if HD DVD should officially bite the dust. The company is sticking with it for now, but with caveats:

"Microsoft's plans for HD DVD won't change as long as they continue to see strong consumer interest and their partners remain committed. Sales of HD DVD players have remained brisk and there is a healthy catalog of more than 400 HD DVD titles offered at retail," she wrote in an e-mail Friday.

What about the possibility of switching to a Blu-ray player as an add-on?

"It's too premature to say, but as Microsoft has long stated, Xbox is focused on delivering great high-definition experiences to consumers — whether it's through HD gaming, digital downloads through Xbox Live Marketplace, optical media or IPTV."

Well, that's not a "no."

i can see the XBOX fire sale now!!!

Fire??   Did you say fire?   Stand by for tones.  

Toshiba has announced today the they will no longer be making  Hi Def machines.

While Toshiba has lost this round of the DVD wars to Sony, with Bill Gates in their corner they'll be going back to the drawing boards to "invent" the next generation of hi-def discs.  Microsoft stands to lose a bundle in lost XBOX sales...they won't take this one lying down.  

Unless they're going to radically reinvent the format altogether (and by radical I'd expect nothing less than the IMAX experience in your living room), leave DVDs well enough alone.  I am not looking forward to the day that movies/TV-DVD box sets are released in Blu-Ray format ONLY, forcing consumers to shell out for yet ANOTHER piece of technology.  

I thought they already had a cure for Blue-Balls.

What....?! Oh..... never mind.