HD DVD ceases to exist

Last one out, turn off the lights.

That was essentially the tone of the note that the HD DVD Promotional Group sent to its members Friday. The obituary for the format was short and to the point:

(Credit: Crave UK)

HD DVD Managing Members

March 28, 2008

The HD DVD Promotion Group was dissolved as of March 28, 2008, and the website was closed accordingly.

Please access to DVD Forum for HD DVD formats, and DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation for format books and its license. Regarding the HD DVD products, please contact each selling agency directly.

It was also a bit late. The battle between HD DVD and its nemesis format, Blu-ray, ended as soon as HD DVD's biggest backer, Toshiba, announced it would stop making HD DVD players. That was almost six weeks ago.

So, again, we bid adieu to a failed format. If you're finding it hard to let go, hit up your local Best Buy for some HD DVD titles. We hear they're desperate to get rid of them.

[gsmiller88]

I almost bought a HD DVD player last week

I was in need of a DVD player and no one had any by Toshiba, <br />except Kmart but they were out of stock. So I was in Wal-Mart <br />browsing and noticed they had their lone HD DVD player on sale for <br />only $75. I nearly bought it too but it was pretty big and the box <br />had two baseball-sized punctures in it. Sad to see ya go HD DVD, <br />but don't fret Toshiba, unless Sony can literally kill DVD overnight <br />they don't look to gain very much from the "victory."

[nicmart]

The wise man

You are obviously right on top of this with astonishing market <br />savvy. I'm sure Sony should consult with your before making its <br />next move.

[alchemistmuffin]

eventually, ALL DISCS WILL cease to exist....

Well, that's the end of HD DVD....<br /><br />And sooner or later, so will Blu-Ray...<br /><br />Because Apple TV is taking over the world folks...<br /><br />Because downloads win in the end....

[cancerman1013]

On Demand Streaming Video

AppleTV my ass, that will just be one provider...there will be plenty to choose from, including cable-providers' On Demand, and primarily Netflix, which will be integrating into set-top boxes w/ no additional fees besides subscription...Of course, perfection is still years away as bandwidth and user-friendliness are hurdles. But there will always be people who still like to have a physical (HD) media collection to showcase!

[pgp_protector]

Streaming Media

Except for anyone that want to take there media to another location, camping, road trip, friends house, ect.<br /><br />Streaming Media is ok, but the DRM kills it if you want to watch it on more than the "allowed number" of devices.

[perfectblue97]

Better get a move on

Wellllll, speaking as somebody who lives in an area where you can't even get Tivo's on demand service, I beg to differ.

[david__B]

Funny...

I just played a "non-exsistant" HD-DVD, and enjoyed it a lot!<br /><br />Learn to write headlines please..

[gerrrg]

wisdom comes from age.

The length of time between change in technology has shortened, such that each subsequent technological feat has had a shorter lifespan. The VHS had stood for nearly 2 decades, the DVD for the past decade, the Blue-laser for...? This is not just limited to the video recording market.<br /><br />CBS is experimenting with HD broadcasts over the internet, short-length HD content is all over the internet from Hulu to Apple's Quicktime gallery and Daily Motion.<br /><br />Bluray might be around for awhile....but I think the people that want a hard copy might consider buying and storing their data onto flash memory cards instead. Flash memory prices are dropping much faster than bluray disks.<br /><br />Come to think of it, why don't they offer movies and music on a flash card? The read/write rate of flash cards is high enough to steam HD content.

[stopher2475]

30 prcent off is not a blow out sale.

The movies and shows are STILL too expensive.

[perfectblue97]

Not so fast

I wouldn't write off DVDs and CDs just yet The Media-less film/album is the new paperless office.<br /><br />Downloads are only just coming of age in developed countries such as the US where PC ownership is high and internet access is fast. However in countries such as China PC ownership is low and internet access is limited in speed and supply. It will be a couple of decades before Africa, Asia and India have even close to enough of the tech needed to make downloading a threat to hard media. At present the only reason why downloading has any real hold in places like these is piracy, and even then the downloads are often put to hard format such as VCD to be viewed in the home.<br /><br />People also often feel more secure owning a hard format. It has a psychological edge to it. I wouldn't feel nearly the same paying out $100 for a session of lost on download as I would if I were buying a box set.<br /><br />There's something deeply satisfying about owning a complete season with an artbox and a free poster or other collectible inside. Download just can't replicate that feeling.