Toshiba, HD DVD to finish business at the end of March

As I reported in the morningToshiba announced a press announcement at 17 o'clock on February 19 and comprehensively reviewed the business strategy, it seems that he decided to end the HD DVD business. Development and production of players, recorders and new products will be canceled, but support and after-sales service will be continued.

Details are as follows.
Toshiba: Press release (2008.2.19) About the end of HD DVD project

Toshiba's release is as follows.

We have been developing global business of players and recorders based on HD DVD standards so far but as a result of comprehensive consideration of future business strategies in the drastic changes in the business environment in the beginning of this year , We decided to terminate this project.

The HDDVD standard is formulated as a next-generation DVD standard that inherits the current DVD at a DVD forum composed of more than 200 international companies, and it has high compatibility with the current DVD and advanced technology such as network connection function It is a standard, and we have keenly worked on promoting business. However, due to the simultaneous existence of different standards, not only the influence on the Company's business due to the prolongation of the so-called next-generation DVD debate but also the Company's attitude is clarified at an early stage in consideration of the impact on the market including consumers and others It was decided that it was important to make it, and this decision was reached.

By this decision, HDDVD players and recorders will stop developing and production of new products in the future, product shipments to distribution channels from our company will shrink in the future, we will close our business around the end of March this year intend to do something. We will continue to support our products and after-sales service for users around the world who are using our products with confidence so that we can use it with confidence.

We also decided to terminate mass production for HD DVD drives for PCs and games as well while paying attention to the customer's demand.

Regarding current DVD players and recorders, we will continue our business as usual.

We will consider the position of our notebook PC with HD DVD drive in the whole PC business based on future market needs.

In the future, while maximizing market trends, we fully utilize our storage technologies such as semiconductor NAND flash memory, large capacity and compact HDD, next generation CPU, image processing, wireless technology, encryption processing technology etc , We will rebuild the mid- to long-term new strategy of the next-generation image business suitable for the new digital convergence era.
In addition, we will continue to contribute to the development of the DVD industry as a member of the DVD Forum, an organization that discusses and develops optimal optical disc standards for consumers and industry.

With partners representing IT industries such as Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, Dreamworks Animation, domestic and overseas video content companies, Microsoft, Intel and HP, which we have been collaborating with in launching the HDDVD market, Continue good cooperative relationship and utilize various technologies cultivated in the development of HDDVD, we are planning to consider the possibility of collaboration with various business opportunities in the future.

In short, the development and production of new products end, the shipment of goods ends by the end of March. However, it is said that we will support you properly about the products we've placed. Strangely six years ago today, February 19, 2002 is the day we announced the creation of the next-generation optical disc standard "Blu-ray Disc".

Held a recital on next generation optical disc "Blu-ray Disc"

Despite coincidence, I feel somewhat obsessive ....

Inquiries regarding HD DVD player and recorder are as follows.

Toshiba HD DVD Information Center

* Toll-free number (use from general line)
0120-13-1353
* Navi dial (use from mobile phone, call charges will be charged)
0570-00-1353
* Reception period
Monday to Saturday 10: 00-20: 00 (Our designated holiday is excluded)
Sunday · Holidays 10: 00 ~ 16: 00