Gartner: Blu-ray Wins In 2008
The research group says HD DVD's new price cuts may just prolong the battle.
By Swanni
Toshiba recently slashed prices on HD DVD players, but Gartner says that will likely prove to be "useless resistance" in the battle.
However, Gartner does say the price cuts could prolong the battle for several months. Toshiba's entry-level HD DVD player is now just $127 at Amazon.com.
Warner Bros. this month announced that it's endorsing Blu-ray over HD DVD, giving the format a 5-2 'major studio' advantage.
Since then, many analysts have speculated that Blu-ray will ultimately emerge as the winner in the high-def disc war. In a new report released today, Gartner echoed that sentiment.
"Gartner believes that Toshiba's price-cutting may prolong HD DVD's life a little, but the limited line-up of film titles will inflict fatal damage on the format. Gartner expects that, by the end of 2008, Blu-ray will be the winning format in the consumer market, and the war will be over," the report said.
Despite the skeptics, Toshiba is planning to run a 30-second commercial for HD DVD during Sunday's Super Bowl contest between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots.
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Swanni (Phillip Swann) is
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