http://www.gamebump.com Video gaming news blog. en-us Copyright 2006-2008 Gaming Horizon Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/toshiba_slashes_hd_dvd_player_costs_to_fend_off_bluray http://www.gamebump.com/go/toshiba_slashes_hd_dvd_player_costs_to_fend_off_bluray http://www.gamebump.com/go/toshiba_slashes_hd_dvd_player_costs_to_fend_off_bluray#
CNN Money is reporting that Toshiba is slashing HD DVD player costs and pairing the price drops with an "extended campaign of TV, print and online advertising to promote the format."

Toshiba has lowered the cost of its HD-A3, its cheapest player, to a mere $149.99 from $299.99; the HD-A30 has received similar treatment, going from $399.99 to $199.99 while the HD-A35 has dropped from $499.99 to $299.99.

You can bet that the price drops are Toshiba's attempt to bolster the HD DVD camp, now backed by two studios - Paramount and Universal (and shakily at that) - while Sony's Blu-ray format has received a recent surge of support from Warner Bros. abandonment of the HD DVD format as it moved to join four other studios in the backing of Blu-ray.

Said Yoshi Uchiyama, group vice president of digital audio and video at Toshiba America Consumer Products, "While price is one of the consideration elements for the early adopter, it is a deal-breaker for the mainstream consumer."]]> Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:59:43 -0600 Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/microsoft_to_consider_bluray_support_if_consumers_want_it http://www.gamebump.com/go/microsoft_to_consider_bluray_support_if_consumers_want_it http://www.gamebump.com/go/microsoft_to_consider_bluray_support_if_consumers_want_it# In more Blu-ray news, Reuters is claiming that Microsoft would "consider" switching to the Blu-ray camp if "consumers want it".

Said Albert Penello, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware, "It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider."

As far as the rumor of Paramount switching sides in the Blu-ray/HD DVD format war, Penello stated that he didn't think that Paramount's decision (to abandon HD DVD) would have a "significant impact" on the Xbox 360 as it continues to go up against Sony's PlayStation 3.

I find this humorous because the PlayStation 3's 40GB model looks a hell of a lot more attractive as the most affordable Blu-ray player on the market. Plus it plays games, too (surprise!) and the PlayStation brand is still powerful despite the PS3's lackluster first year.


]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:41:44 -0600 Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/paramount_not_ditching_hd_dvd_yet http://www.gamebump.com/go/paramount_not_ditching_hd_dvd_yet http://www.gamebump.com/go/paramount_not_ditching_hd_dvd_yet# Though yesterday we reported that The Financial Times broke a story on Paramount abandoning the HD DVD camp in favor of Sony's Blu-ray format, Paramount has since declared that "[its] current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format."

Funny, because it looks like the "current plan" is changing and that Universal Studios will be left as the sole film studio backing HD DVD.

]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:34:55 -0600 Shiva Stella http://www.gamebump.com/go/bluray_hd_dvd_format_war_coming_to_an_end http://www.gamebump.com/go/bluray_hd_dvd_format_war_coming_to_an_end http://www.gamebump.com/go/bluray_hd_dvd_format_war_coming_to_an_end# Various sources, including the Financial Times, are reporting that Paramount will soon be following Warner in abandoning HD DVD support whilst turning to Sony's Blu-ray format.

The rumor goes that Paramount is relying on a "get out" clause in its exclusivity deal with the HD DVD camp - a similar clause to the one Warner used in making its switch.

From the article, "Paramount is poised to drop its support of HD DVD after Warner Brothers’ recent backing of Sony's Blu-ray technology, in a move that will sound the death knell of HD DVD and bring the home entertainment format war to a definitive end."

The news follows Sony's holiday sales announcement and lots and lots of PlayStation 3s getting off those shelves and joining the user-base since Christmas.

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