iamitman
03-04-08, 06:04 PM
If you go to circuit citys home page there is link that says, "Whats goin on with HD DVD?"
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/genericContent.do?oid=197457&plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a43329ae7-dd15-478e-a6e0-1c47604211faPost%3a0340a436-10ab-4710-95fa-7ff9e6ca163f
Last Tuesday, Toshiba stated that "it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders." Production of players will stop at some point next month, as will large-scale production of drives for desktop computers. Movie studios will also stop production of HD DVD software.
I’ve heard from a number of you about the implications of this announcement, and it seems that there’s a good bit of confusion out there about what it means. So let me take this opportunity to address some of the finer points and answer a few questions.
1. What’s the difference between HD DVD and Blu-ray? How about regular DVDs?
HD DVD and Blu-ray are two different types of high-definition video formats. They differ from standard DVDs in that they are capable or producing true high-definition video, whereas standard DVD can only produce a lower-quality standard definition picture.
2. Does this mean the computer / portable DVD player / home theater system I bought recently is no good? Do I have to buy a Blu-ray player now?
No. This announcement only applies to HD DVD. It has no bearing whatsoever on the standard DVDs that most of us have been using for the past decade. The only people affected by this announcement are those who bought HD DVD players. Your standard DVDs and players will continue to serve you well for years to come.
3. Are HD DVD and Blu-ray discs interchangeable?
Unfortunately, no. HD DVD discs will not play in a dedicated Blu-ray player, and vice versa. There are a few companies who make combination players that will play both kinds of discs. These players are typically more expensive than single-format players.
4. I own an HD DVD player. Will I be able to upgrade it to play Blu-ray discs?
No. There is no way to do this.
5. Does this mean that my HD DVD player is useless now?
Not exactly. Your HD DVD player will still be able to play any HD DVD movies you may already own, and it will also work as an excellent upconverting player for all of your standard DVDs. You can also use it to play CDs if you like.
6. My computer has an HD DVD burner built in. Is blank media still going to be available?
Toshiba isn't planning to leave anyone with a currently-installed burner out in the cold. They plan to stockpile blank media and make it available through the Toshiba website, and have even stated that " the company will continue to assess the position of notebook PCs with integrated HD DVD drives within the overall PC business relative to future market demand," which could mean that while the format is dead with regard to home entertainment, there may continue to be future demand for mobile computing purposes.
7. I bought a first generation HD DVD player. Can I get a refund?
Toshiba is not currently planning to make refunds available to early adopters of the hardware.
8. What does this mean for my player's warranty? How about technical support?
Toshiba has committed to supporting all existing hardware through the remainder of the warranty period. This applies to hardware currently on retailer shelves. Customers can contact 1-888-MY HDDVD (1-888-694-3383) for answers to general questions.
9. I own an HD DVD drive for my Xbox. Am I in the same situation?
With regard to using the drive for movies, yes. Microsoft has announced that they are ceasing production as well, although they will continue to provide warranty support for players currently in homes and on store shelves.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/genericContent.do?oid=197457&plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a43329ae7-dd15-478e-a6e0-1c47604211faPost%3a0340a436-10ab-4710-95fa-7ff9e6ca163f
Last Tuesday, Toshiba stated that "it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders." Production of players will stop at some point next month, as will large-scale production of drives for desktop computers. Movie studios will also stop production of HD DVD software.
I’ve heard from a number of you about the implications of this announcement, and it seems that there’s a good bit of confusion out there about what it means. So let me take this opportunity to address some of the finer points and answer a few questions.
1. What’s the difference between HD DVD and Blu-ray? How about regular DVDs?
HD DVD and Blu-ray are two different types of high-definition video formats. They differ from standard DVDs in that they are capable or producing true high-definition video, whereas standard DVD can only produce a lower-quality standard definition picture.
2. Does this mean the computer / portable DVD player / home theater system I bought recently is no good? Do I have to buy a Blu-ray player now?
No. This announcement only applies to HD DVD. It has no bearing whatsoever on the standard DVDs that most of us have been using for the past decade. The only people affected by this announcement are those who bought HD DVD players. Your standard DVDs and players will continue to serve you well for years to come.
3. Are HD DVD and Blu-ray discs interchangeable?
Unfortunately, no. HD DVD discs will not play in a dedicated Blu-ray player, and vice versa. There are a few companies who make combination players that will play both kinds of discs. These players are typically more expensive than single-format players.
4. I own an HD DVD player. Will I be able to upgrade it to play Blu-ray discs?
No. There is no way to do this.
5. Does this mean that my HD DVD player is useless now?
Not exactly. Your HD DVD player will still be able to play any HD DVD movies you may already own, and it will also work as an excellent upconverting player for all of your standard DVDs. You can also use it to play CDs if you like.
6. My computer has an HD DVD burner built in. Is blank media still going to be available?
Toshiba isn't planning to leave anyone with a currently-installed burner out in the cold. They plan to stockpile blank media and make it available through the Toshiba website, and have even stated that " the company will continue to assess the position of notebook PCs with integrated HD DVD drives within the overall PC business relative to future market demand," which could mean that while the format is dead with regard to home entertainment, there may continue to be future demand for mobile computing purposes.
7. I bought a first generation HD DVD player. Can I get a refund?
Toshiba is not currently planning to make refunds available to early adopters of the hardware.
8. What does this mean for my player's warranty? How about technical support?
Toshiba has committed to supporting all existing hardware through the remainder of the warranty period. This applies to hardware currently on retailer shelves. Customers can contact 1-888-MY HDDVD (1-888-694-3383) for answers to general questions.
9. I own an HD DVD drive for my Xbox. Am I in the same situation?
With regard to using the drive for movies, yes. Microsoft has announced that they are ceasing production as well, although they will continue to provide warranty support for players currently in homes and on store shelves.