In recent news, Toshiba announced in a February 19, 2008 press release that the company will be pulling out of HD-DVD -
"TOKYO--Toshiba Corporation today announced that it has undertaken a thorough review of its overall strategy for HD DVD and has decided it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders. This decision has been made following recent major changes in the market. Toshiba will continue, however, to provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products...
" 'We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop,' said Atsutoshi Nishida, President and CEO of Toshiba Corporation...
"Toshiba will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players and recorders to retail channels, aiming for cessation of these businesses by the end of March 2008. Toshiba also plans to end volume production of HD DVD disk drives for such applications as PCs and games in the same timeframe...
"This decision will not impact on Toshiba's commitment to standard DVD, and the company will continue to market conventional DVD players and recorders."
You can read the entire press release here: Toshiba Announces Discontinuation of HD DVD Businesses
Whether this is a sign of Blu-ray's impending world domination or simply reduces by one the number of HD competitors ready to wage war against conventional DVD format is yet to be seen. Please follow the links below for further discussion -
Forum: Good Bye HD-DVD
Blog: DVD Format War OVER!!! Toshiba Quits
DIGITAL TV
In other news, analog TV broadcasts (rabbit ears and antennas) in the United States will end next year - midnight, February 17, 2009. The nation will switch overnight to digital broadcasting only. In order to keep watching television a year from now, you may need to take action; here are your options, according to the official government site dedicated to making sure all Americans get the high quality, patriotic broadcasting that you deserve -
"Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program.
Consumers have a variety of options. Options to explore include:
- Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box. A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
- Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
- Purchase a television with a digital tuner."
For more details, the latest information, and a nifty countdown timer, please bookmark and refer to the dedicated government site: https://www.dtv2009.gov/
Remember, if you do not fulfill one of the above requirements, chances are you will not be able to watch television in your own home! The U.S. government is making the cost of the switch as easy as possible for consumers, so don't forget. Otherwise, you may be left out in the dark.