<![CDATA[Kotaku: Hd Dvd]]> http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: Hd Dvd]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/hd dvd http://kotaku.com/tag/hd dvd <![CDATA[Keeping The HD-DVD Dream Alive]]> The other day while watching my high-definition copy of Blade Runner on my Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive, I received an Xbox Live message thanking me for keeping the dream alive. Oh come on, where else can you buy a copy of The Bourne Identity for $2.39? More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5782493&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Ballmer: You'll Be Able To Get Blu-ray Drives As Accessories]]> In the format wars, Microsoft supported HD DVD in the battle against Sony's Blu-ray. The company even released an HD DVD player for the Xbox 360. But, HD DVD lost. Blu-ray won. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5387275&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Orlando Sentinel: Blu-Ray is a Needless Expense]]> The Orlando Sentinel took at look at the now years-old tech of Blu-ray players, trying to determine whether it's worth investing in a new player. Their conclusion: Yes and no. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5120711&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[What Percentage of Some Japanese People Own Blu-ray Playing Devices (Game Machines Included!)]]> Remember that format war? Good fun. Blu-ray battling it out with HD DVD. Sony pinning its hopes and dreams for dominance on the PS3, while Microsoft released an HD DVD player for its console. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5117496&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[360 HD-DVD Drive Down To $30]]> Web clearance joint OverStock Dealz are, *ahem*, overstocked with 360 HD-DVD drives. You're no doubt aware why. So they're offloading them for the ridiculous price of $30 a pop. I only post this because, well, $30 is a steal, and with HD-DVD movies also at rock-bottom prices there are worse ways to blow a rainy weekend than stocking up on obsolete high-definition movie discs and indulging in the shiny future that never was. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=385040&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Shane Kim Can't Quit HD DVD]]> The dust has settled. Long ago. HD DVD is way dead, way dead. But Micrsoft Game Studios boss Shane Kim hasn't given up! The man is an optimist. He can see the bright side of a train wreck. Bless him. According to Shane Kim: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=380760&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player To Get Software Update As A Painful Reminder]]> Still saddled with that Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on? You know, the "most affordable way to jump into the next generation of DVD technology" that was recently discontinued? Studio support may be down the toilet, but the thrill of downloading software updates for the thing isn't over yet, as Larry Hryb noted on his blog that the accessory will get at least one more update, just for kicks. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=377572&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Didn't Back The Wrong Format Horse, Yo]]> That little HD DVD experiment was pricey! But when you are Microsoft, what are trivial things like money? Nothing! Just look how smug Xbox 360 UK boss Neil Thompson is. Think the death of HD-DVD keeps him up at night? No way. This guy sleeps like a baby. No, he sleeps like two babies. Says Thompson: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=375937&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Senior Citizen Claims Blu-ray Patent Infringement]]> With HD DVD done and dusted, you'd think Sony would have time to chill out, max and relax. Nope! The U.S. government is investigating Sony and other companies that developed Blu-ray (Samsung, Sharp, Hitachi, Nokia, Panasonic, among others) for patent infringement. The investigation kicked off due to a compliant by senior citizen Gertrude Neumark Rothschild who claimed that Blu-ray infringed on one of her patents and will focus on "certain short-wavelength light emitting diodes, laser diodes, and products containing same." Rothschild isn't just some old lady, she's some old lady who's a Professor Emeritus at Columbia University and has done pivotal research into blue and violet LEDs. This could get interesting. Then again, it could get really, really boring. Who knows! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=371715&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Best Buy Offers Gift Cards for HD-DVD Players]]> Are you one of the unfortunates stuck with a now useless HD-DVD player? Did you purchase it at Best Buy before February 23rd? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you can return that old door stop to Best Buy and get a $50 gift card in return. According to CNN it is estimated that upwards of $10 million in US Gift cards. HD-DVD owners will be found through Best Buy's Reward Zone program, service plans and online orders. The gift cards will automatically be mailed out to qualifying folks at the beginning of may. If you are not a Reward Zone member you can bring in your BB receipt or credit card info. They will also be offering an online trade-in center where customers can unload their unwanted players beginning March 21. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=369843&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Toshiba To Lose $666 Million (Cue Scary Music)]]> Man, losing is hard. Not only that, it's expensive. Back in February, Toshiba pulled the plug on its HD DVD, thereby ending the format war. That, along with the falling price of flash memory chips, means that profits are expected to drop 125 billion yen, compared to the 137.4 billion yen profit it recorded last year. The decision to stop making HD DVD players alone will cost Toshiba 65 billion yen. That's US $666 million dollars. 666? That's certainly an omen! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=369551&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Circuit City Taking HD DVD Trades For PlayStation 3s]]> This week there's been a juicy rumor that Circuit City is taking back HD DVD players in exchange for Blu-ray players. Now our sister site Gizmodo has confirmed it from a variety of sources. If you purchased an HD DVD player—even if opened—in the last 90 days at Circuit City, you can turn in your HD DVD player for original credit on a Blu-ray player purchase. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=364618&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Xbox 360 HD DVD Emulator Drops From $2,999 To Free]]> In December, Microsoft released a $2,999 Xbox 360 HD DVD emulator that allowed developers to test HD DVD projects on the 360 from a USB drive or networked PC. It was an easy way to check how a project would run on the console without printing endless discs (aka coasters, aka microwave fun). More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=364152&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[HD DVD, redux]]> My dogs have expressed little interest in my lamentations on the subject of HD DVD and my brother even less. While I don't realistically expect more from this audience, the allure of large numbers compels me to share these final thoughts on the demise of HD DVD. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=362677&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Japanese HD DVD Shrine]]> With retailers slashing Xbox 360 HD DVD Player prices, now is a good time to pick one up! (Thinking of doing that myself.) But what about those who paid full price? They must be kinda bummed out. Or worse yet, those who paid full price for a lot of HD DVD stuff. Those like this poor bastard. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=362115&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Xbox Japan Finally Kills Off HD DVD Player]]> While Microsoft struck down its Xbox 360 HD DVD Player last week, Xbox Japan was still milling things over last we heard. But today, no more! As of today, Xbox Japan has decided to wash its hands of the HD DVD Player. Surprised? No one is! This just, you know, makes it all official and shit. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=360719&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Xbox 360 HD DVD Drops To $50]]> Now that Microsoft has officially announced the death of their HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360, the only thing left to do is to sweep the technological corpses out of warehouses. So here's the big deal we warned you about back in January—Microsoft is officially dropping their HD DVD add-on price to $50 starting tomorrow (though many retailers have already jumped the gun). So buy one, keep it sealed and in 100 years, you might have a collector's item (or just a very nice e-paper weight). More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=360408&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Kills Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player]]> Let there be no more speculation about Microsoft's stance on HD-DVD. The company issued a statement today that it would no longer manufacture the Xbox 360 add-on following Toshiba's decision to bail out on the high definition disc format. It reiterated that the death of the HD-DVD format would not "have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform" but it surely scuttles any talk that the Redmond giant has plans for a 360 with a built-in HD-DVD drive. We expect fantastic deals on the accessory and discs to flood Cheap Ass Gamer within hours. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=360069&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[You Can Still Use That Xbox 360 HD DVD Player (For Other Things)]]> Don't trash those Xbox 360 HD DVD players just yet! You can use them for other things. Site TeamXbox has a lighthearted look at ways to get the most out of your obsolete peripheral. They include: paper weight, cup holder, chair leg balancer, door stop, mouse pad, Xbox 360 Power Supply platform, straight edge ruler and book end. This list makes us feel way better and happy that all Microsoft's effort was not in vain. Click through the gallery below to see the HD DVD player in action. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=359465&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[360 HD-DVD To Drop To $50]]> Ars Technica's Microsoft mole, who's been largely on-point in previous rumours, has another bad case of the whispers, telling the site that the 360's HD-DVD player is - for some reason - in line for a rather hefty price-cut. He reckons that the add-on movie player will be slashed to $50. Cheap, sure, but while $50 wasted is less than $130 wasted...it's still money wasted. Only thing I'm wondering about is the fact it was meant to start today: any of you lot able to verify this? More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=359482&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Continues to Pimp HD DVD Player]]> So, HD DVD is dead. But, Microsoft is having a hard time moving on, it seems. Soon after the Toshiba announcement, Xbox Japan said the death of HD DVD is something it "will examine from now." By "examining," Microsoft must mean continuing to push its HD DVD player! Reader Nathan sends us these pics of Microsoft's out-dated peripheral pimping via Xbox Live — at at the "new, low price" of US$129.99. What a deal! Just think, buy one now and watch the same HD DVDs over and over again for the years to come. Thanks, Microsoft! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=358496&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sony Shares Up, Because Blu-Ray Victory Means More PS3 Sales]]> Sony's shares are up by almost 5% from yesterday. And whaddya know, it's mostly to do with Blu-Ray's victory over HD-DVD yesterday. But it's also because of the effect that victory will have on PS3 sales. With Blu-Ray now the only HD home video format on the market, it's going to look a lot more attractive to consumers than it did while the "format war" was in full swing. And what's one of the cheapest Blu-Ray players on the market? Why, the PS3, of course. You...you don't think Sony's whole strategy with the machine has been leading up to this very moment all along, do you? More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=358369&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[What Does HD DVD Death Mean For Xbox 360 Player?]]> Think that Toshiba's killing off HD DVD means curtains for Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD DVD player? Probably! For those who cannot put one and one together, Xbox Japan is here for you. To be vague. And evasive. Regarding Toshiba's decision to kill off its HD format, the console's PR mouthpiece says this about the future of its Xbox 360 HD DVD player: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357971&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[HD DVD Is Dead, Please Move On With Your Life]]> Gaming's biggest diversion of the last year has finally come to an end. Today, after the stock markets in Tokyo and Osaka closed, Toshiba announced that HD DVD was no more. The company will cease developing, manufacturing and marketing HD DVD players and recorders. Yes, the format war is finally over, and Sony's Blu-ray has emerged victorious. From the press release: More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357959&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[HD-DVD Deathwatch: GameStop Edition]]> We've been tipped off by a number of GameStop employees that, commencing tomorrow, the company will no longer be accepting HD-DVD gear for trade-in. That means you won't be able to trade in your HD-DVD movies, and more importantly, you won't be able to get anything for that soon-to-be-useless 360 HD-DVD player, either. Sorry. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357925&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Not Worried About HD DVD]]> Sure, HD DVD is pretty much dead, but that doesn't bother Microsoft one bit. Their official statement:
"We do not believe the recent reports about HD DVD will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace. As we've long stated, we believe it is games that sell consoles and Xbox 360 continues to have the largest next-gen games library with the most exclusives and best selling games in the industry. We will wait until we hear from Toshiba before announcing any specific plans around the Xbox 360 HD DVD player. HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room along with playback of the DVD movies they already own."
I suppose they are right. Not like the failure of HD DVD will suddenly drop them below last place. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357697&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Forget Wal-Mart: Toshiba Giving Up On HD-DVD?]]> Well, I guess we can't blame the domination of the Blu-ray format on everyone's (least) favorite superstore, at least according to some sources: Toshiba is supposedly conceding defeat and withdrawing from the next gen DVD market. It should be noted that Toshiba has not made any official comment. A number of Kotakuites have sent us the Japanese source NHK and Reuters articles that are brief and to the point, citing an (anonymous) internal Toshiba source: Toshiba's been losing the war and is giving up, with official details to follow later. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357312&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Wal-Mart Chooses Blu-ray]]> From CNN.Money comes the news that ubiquitous retailer Wal-Mart has decided to go exclusively Blu-ray. According to a statement by Wal-Mart's Senior Vice President of Home Entertainment Gary Severson, More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=357303&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Netflix Drops HD-DVD, Too]]> Followers of the high definition disc wars will probably care about online movie rental outfit Netflix putting all of its eggs in the Blu-ray basket, just like everyone else who isn't Microsoft has. The company announced today that, "as of now," it will only purchase movies in the Sony-backed format, phasing out HD-DVD by the end of the year. Subscribers, including yours truly, have already been informed of the change, but a handy press release from Netflix lays the whole thing out. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=355109&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Xbox 360 HD DVD Price Plummets]]> In case you're still holding out hope that somehow, someway HD DVD will make a last minute comeback and triumph over blu-ray as the high definition DVD format of choice, then has Microsoft got the deal for you. Effective today, the MSRP of the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on is dropping from $179.99 USD to $129.99. The price drop effects the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As Microsoft's Larry Hryb points out, once you figure in Microsoft's ongoing five free HD DVD movie offer, which is still in effect until the end of this month, they you've got one hell of a good time to get in on the Betamax of the 21st century! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=353257&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Woolworths Drops HD-DVD, Praises PS3]]> Woolworths may be dead in the states, but the retail establishment lives on across the pond, though without the famous soda fountains, crappy American discount items, and - come March - without HD-DVD. The High Street retailer has announced that come March they will no longer be stocking HD-DVD titles at their retail locations, selling off their remaining stock and any new titles that might pop up via their website. They cite the large number of Brits now Blu-ray ready as the reasoning behind the move, and it's largely due to Sony's latest console.
"The main reason is the success of Sony's PlayStation 3 machine. Because it plays Blu-ray discs, there are over three quarters of a million homes in the UK that can view the new high definition format."
Another nail in HD-DVD's coffin as the first major UK retailer drops them like a bad habit. Sad to see it go, but glad to see a clear winner finally emerging. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=349564&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Seriously Everyone, Don't Buy The 360's HD DVD Add-on]]> Transforming from my week with Gizmodo covering CES, I bring a little perspective from the buzz of the CES press rooms, several high ranking media journalists and at least one adult film director of the year: HD DVD really is dead. Microsoft may not be going Blu-ray just yet, but Warner is gone from HD DVD and it really will cause a ripple through the industry. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=344309&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Universal No Longer HD-DVD Exclusive Bound]]> Is this the final death blow for HD-DVD? Variety is reporting that Universal Studios will follow Warner Bros., New Line and possibly Paramount toward the cooling blue light of Blu-ray allegiance, as the studio's commitment to supporting HD-DVD exclusively has ended. That doesn't necessarily mean that Universal is abandoning the HD-DVD format as Warner plans to, however, as Variety writes that the company still has plans to support the Toshiba backed hi-def discs. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=343616&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[HD DVD Exclusive Transformers Running on PS3]]> Haven't tried this, but apparently a Japanese gamer was able to rip HD DVD exclusive, burn it on Blu-ray and get it running on a PS3. What was used:
More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=343170&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft: We're Still Committed to HD-DVD]]> Yesterday when Reuters reported that Microsoft will consider going to Blu-Ray if consumers demand it some people sort of freaked. Among the list? Microsoft. Today the company reached out to us to "clarify" a story they say was missing some much needed context. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=342908&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Microsoft Will Consider Going Blu-Ray, If Consumers Demand]]> Responding to news that Warner Bros. opted to put its eggs in the basket of Blu-ray exclusively last week, Microsoft execs told Reuters that the company would consider a Blu-ray player add-on for the Xbox 360, should consumers show interest in such a product. Group marketing manager Albert Penello said the decision would be up to "consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider." Penello said that he didn't consider that Warner's decision to drop support for HD-DVD would have a "significant impact" on the console war. He also confirmed, in a way, that it was a "bummer." More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=342485&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[CES HD DVD Press Conference Canceled]]> In light of yesterday's announcement that Warner Bros. will be going exclusively Blu-Ray, the HD DVD Promotion Group has canceled it's press conference for this year's CES. The news came in an email sent around to CES attendees yesterday. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=341012&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Warner Bros. Goes Blu-ray Only, Format War Lingers On]]> In another "win" for "consumers" Warner Bros. Entertainment announced today that it would be going exclusively Blu-ray for hi-definition movie releases as of May 2008. This point in the W column for fans of the Sony-backed, PlayStation 3-approved format will probably help in calming those still basking in the furious red glow of rage born of Paramount's decision to go HD-DVD only. Consider that HD disc format war "stalemate" now over, Sir Stringer! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=340842&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Hackers Join Next-Gen HD Format Wars]]> In a sense, the next-generation HD battle of blu-ray versus HD DVD closely parallels the current generation console battle between Sony and Microsoft. Both have clear advantages and disadvantages over the other, and every time I try to choose between the two, something happens to cloud my judgment. Transformers on HD DVD. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. Over the holiday season the battle grew more heated, as both formats tried to out special deal the other and forums broke out into the verbal equivalent of fisticuffs, escalating to the point where hackers threw their hat into the ring, redirecting visitors to Blue-raydisc.com to HD DVD's "The Look and Sound of Perfect" website. Nasty! The hack was quickly fixed, but the message is clear. This is still very much a war, and perhaps "Hack the Planet!" Makes you wonder if all industries have fights like this, and somewhere on a craft site a knitter is calling a crocheter a little bitch. F***ing crocheters. More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=338266&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Michael Bay Slams Microsoft Over HD-DVD, Calls Blu-ray "Superior"]]> Director Michael Bay, the director of thought-pausing summertime fare like Transformers and Armageddon, whose latest blockbuster is available exclusively on HD-DVD and DVD, took a swipe at Microsoft in his official forums today. In the "Ask Michael Bay" sub-forum, a user complained about the unavailability of Bay's movies on the Blu-ray format, one backed by Sony and standard on PlayStation 3s. Fanboy Bay fired back! More »
]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=329967&view=rss&microfeed=true