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HD DVD Group Cancels CES Press Conference, 1:1 Meetings

hd dvd group ces press conference meetings

The news just continues to sour for the HD DVD camp. Earlier today, Warner Bros. decided to go Blu-ray exclusive by the end of May 2008. Warner Bros. executives backed their decision by saying that the move was beneficial for consumers.

"A two-format landscape has led to consumer confusion and indifference toward high definition, which has kept the technology from reaching mass adoption and becoming the important revenue stream that it can be for the industry," stated Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group President Kevin Tsujihara.

Toshiba, clearly stunned by the announcement, issued a press release of its own stating its disappointment with the decisions by Warner Bros.

"We will assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and valuate potential next steps," said Toshiba in a statement. "We remain firm in our belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer."

It looks as though the fallout from the Warner Bros. move is coming fast and furiously. The DailyTech inbox was just moments ago greeted with the following message from a Toshiba representative regarding CES press meetings and the scheduled HD DVD press conference:

Based on the timing of the Warner Home Video announcement today, the HD DVD Promotional Group has decided to cancel 1:1 press meetings at CES, in addition to the press conference that was scheduled for Sunday evening. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause…

We are currently discussing the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluating next steps. We believe the consumer continues to benefit from HD DVD's commitment to quality and affordability -- a bar that is critical for the mainstream success of any format.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on new developments around HD DVD.

It looks as though HD DVD may be on life support considering this latest series of events. Many consumers have been disheartened by the whole HD DVD vs. Blu-ray format war, but it looks as though a white flag may soon be planted.

WOW! Looks like Sony are finally going to win a format war! Just don't mention Betamax or Minidisc!

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