Microsoft Officially Cans HD-DVD

Xbox 360

Following Toshiba's announcement of the retirement of the HD-DVD format, Microsoft has followed suit by discontiuing all production of the HD-DVD add-on for the Xbox 360.

"As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own."

Whether or not a Blu-Ray add-on is in the works (they did mention a while back that they would consider supporting the platform if the market showed interest) remains to be seen.

Reader Comments:

Posted by Sliced Robot 25/02/2008 9:52pm

Following Toshiba's announcement of the retirement of the HD-DVD format, Microsoft has followed suit by discontiuing all production of the HD-DVD add-on for the Xbox 360.

"As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD. Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD DVD Players in the market. As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own."

Whether or not a Blu-Ray add-on is in the works (they did mention a while back that they would consider supporting the platform if the market showed interest) remains to be seen.