Toshiba 'Surprised' By Warner Blu-ray Announcement:
Chief HD DVD format-backer Toshiba has issued a statement in response to Warner's announcement that it plans to drop HD DVD support.
The unusual statement, which lacks the familiar bluster of so many previous press releases issued by both camps, appears to suggest that the HD DVD camp had no advance warning of Warner's decision to exclusively back Blu-ray, and goes on to say that the company will "assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps."
The text of the statement follows below:
TOKYO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.' decision to abandon HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray, despite the fact that there are various contracts in place between our companies concerning the support of HD DVD. As central members of the DVD Forum, we have long maintained a close partnership with Warner Bros. We worked closely together to help standardize the first-generation DVD format as well as to define and shape HD DVD as its next-generation successor.
We were particularly disappointed that this decision was made in spite of the significant momentum HD DVD has gained in the US market as well as other regions in 2007. HD DVD players and PCs have outsold Blu-ray in the US market in 2007.
We will assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps. We remain firm in our belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer.