Audio Video News

Throwback Thursday: Remember HD DVD?

Bob Ankosko  |  Nov 19, 2015

Nothing quite like a good old format war. Ten years ago this month we reported on Toshiba’s decision to postpone the U.S. launch of HD DVD from December 2005 to early 2006.

Jim Willcox wrote: “The decision sparked speculation that it was designed to give backers of HD DVD and the Blu-ray Disc more time to discuss unifying the two incompatible formats, reportedly at the behest of Hollywood studio executives.”

We all know the end to that story… Toshiba pulled the plug on the format in early 2008.

Here’s the full text of our report from November 2005:

In the latest episode of the prime-time soap that is the high-definition format war, Toshiba announced that it will postpone its U.S. launch of HD DVD from December until early next year.

The decision sparked speculation that it was designed to give backers of HD DVD and the Blu-ray Disc more time to discuss unifying the two incompatible formats, reportedly at the behest of Hollywood studio executives. But members of the HD DVD camp say the extra time will instead allow them to coordinate a major, attention-grabbing launch event. [And that it was.—Ed.]

News of the delay follows recent pledges of Blu-ray support from 20th Century Fox and Lions Gate (The format is also backed by Sony and Disney.) But according to Mark Knows, adviser to Toshiba’s HD DVD Promotions division, studio support for HD DVD remains unchanged, with commitments from Warner Bros, Paramount, Universal, and New Line. “What is being determined now is simply timing. We are discussing how best to achieve an optimized launch with all of our partners, including studios, retailers, and other interested parties.”

So HD DVD and Blu-ray remain headed for a showdown. But wait, soap fans, there’s a new cliffhanger: Samsung has just announced that sometime next year, it will market a machine that can play both formats. —James K. Willcox

COMMENTS
JustinGN's picture
Submitted by JustinGN on November 19, 2015 - 10:16am

I still have my Xbox 360 HD DVD drive hooked up, even! I'm amazed it still works with the system after all these years and firmware updates. I also have a combination BD/HDDVD reader in my gaming PC for the odd movie that works brilliantly.

I've come to love Blu-Ray, even if it means putting up with Java (UGH, GO DIE IN A FIRE ALREADY). I eagerly await 4K next year!

trynberg's picture
Submitted by trynberg on November 19, 2015 - 3:39pm

Still have my Toshiba HD player in the media rack. The typical HD-DVD still loads and navigates faster and smoother on this 8 year old machine than BD does on a recent Oppo BD player. Sigh.

jnemesh's picture
Submitted by jnemesh on November 19, 2015 - 4:17pm

My hatred for HD-DVD knew no bounds! I really enjoyed making signs promoting the fire sale clearance of the players when they finally stuck a fork in it!

I really felt betrayed when MS put their weight behind HD-DVD and when Paramount put their films on the format. Glad it's dead.

sleepyninja's picture
Submitted by sleepyninja on November 20, 2015 - 12:59am

Just as I still have my Pioneer dual-side LD player and a couple dozen discs, I also have my two HDDVD players and about 50 titles. And yeah, I too recall that dark day when WB announced that they were no longer supporting HDDVD, and therefore driving the nail in the coffin...come to think of it, I still have my SuperBeta Hifi...

mtymous1's picture
Submitted by mtymous1 on November 20, 2015 - 5:20am

...NEVER, EVER buy v.1.0 of ANYTHING. Not a car, nor media player, nor even a toaster, PERIOD.

prerich45's picture
Submitted by prerich45 on November 20, 2015 - 5:50am

I've still got my LG combo player, but it's not seeing any duty. I went PC for HDDVD initially then went BD for PC...never looked back. I keep it around for nostalgia's sake.

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