Why HD DVD Shouldn't Quit -- Yet
Toshiba owes it to its supporters to try something new.
By Swanni
The vultures are pointing out that the Blu-ray high-def disc format now has five major studios behind it compared to HD DVD's two.
And rumors are flying that Paramount and Universal may soon leave HD DVD and join Blu-ray.
Consequently, the vultures say, Toshiba, the leading backer of HD DVD, should bow out now because it can't possibly win.
Toshiba's announcement this week that it's lowering HD DVD player prices is just prolonging the inevitable, in their view.
Well, I agree that Blu-ray is the likely winner in this battle -- and that victory will probably become official by mid-summer.
However, I don't blame Toshiba for trying something new. The company has invested considerable money and time since the format's launch in the spring of 2006. It would be foolish not to give it another shot.
Toshiba owes it to itself -- and the hundreds of thousands of people who have purchased HD DVD players to date. Who knows? Maybe the lower prices will suddenly attract a mass audience. Not likely, but it's worth a shot.
So, kudos to Toshiba for not giving up. (Microsoft could learn a few lessons here; once an outspoken supporter of HD DVD, the software titan has suddenly gone meely-mouthed on the subject.)
If the effort fails, Toshiba will have plenty of time to bow out gracefully. If it doesn't, we still have a battle on our hands.
So, vultures, fly away and let the marketplace take over.
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Swanni (Phillip Swann) is
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