Has Toshiba had enough of the pain?

The Hollywood Reporter says that the manufacturer could be pulling the plug on the HD DVD format in just a few weeks. Despite the company slashing player prices, others seem to be avoiding the flailing format like the plague, giving Toshiba no other choice.

It’s tough to take the information with a grain of salt. However, the rumor is based on “reliable industry sources.” We need names!

Toshiba, on the other hand, isn’t saying anything—at least about letting it go. “Based on its technological advancements, we continue to believe HD DVD is the best format for consumers, given the value and consistent quality inherent in our player offerings,” says Jodi Sally, Toshiba’s VP of marketing. Would you expect anything less?

Despite the marketing speak, it sounds like something else could be coming soon.

Since Warner Bros. announced its Blu-ray exclusivity in January, bad news has become the norm for the other side. Studies keep showing slow sales for both hardware and software. Just this week, we’ve seen Best Buy and Netflix make announcements that point in Blu-ray’s favor.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.