Editorials > Hard Times for HD DVD

Though they deny it, Toshiba Corp. is expected to make some sort of announcement regarding the future of HD DVD by the end of the week. Company spokeswoman Junko Furuta told the press, "There have been many reports in the media over the weekend, but Toshiba has not made a decision on the future of the HD DVD and we are currently assessing the market and reviewing future strategy."

Well, considering Wal-Mart announced this week that they would stop selling HD DVD players, as well as the fact that over the past few months 90% of sales have gone to Sony's Blu-Ray player over HD DVD, Toshiba is going to have to start preparing its unconditional surrender speech.

Reportedly, HD DVD's production costs are less than that of Blu-Ray, but the latter format has considerably more storage capacity. So congratulations to those who picked the victorious format, and condolences to those who did not. In a few years you'll be able to laugh about the whole thing, just like your parents did about Beta.

-David Morgan