High-def DVD beats Blu-ray to market
Toshiba to begin selling next-generation players in U.S. next month.
TOKYO - Toshiba began selling the first players using the next-generation HD DVD video format Friday, beating the rival Blu-ray disc format to market in a high-stakes competition to deliver theater-quality movies to living rooms.
Japanese electronics maker Toshiba Corp. said its HD-XA1, priced at about 110,000 yen ($936) is the world's first commercially available HD DVD player. The product, which has no recording function, is being promised for the United States in April at about $799.
The HD DVD format, also backed by NEC Corp. of Japan, competes against the Blu-ray disc format, supported by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which makes Panasonic brand products, and Sony Corp.
Of course anything with Sony's backing is doomed to failure. With the exception of 8mm, Sony's selection of format is the kiss of death. Nice pairing with Panasonic, whose selection of VHS-C was its kiss of death.
