Toshiba's response to WB move, we are shocked but not lost

Shortly Warner announcement on Blu-Ray exclusive endorsement, the HD DVD Consortium canceled their press conference at CES 2008. It wasn't a silent retreat, perhaps a regrouping of new strategy destined to fail turn the format war around. Toshiba has spoken and acknowledged Warner shocking move to its rival but they have not lost the battle just yet.

The president of Toshiba America Consumer Products, Akiyo Ozaka is very disappointed with Warner Warner Bros.' decision but stated that they have not lost the war. Jodi Sally, Toshiba's vice-president of digital audio-visual marketing told the media that Friday was a surprised and difficult day for her. She said "It's difficult for me to read that HD DVD is dead, but we've been declared dead before,"

Toshiba did little to reveal what they will do next but claimed that HD-DVD still has the best technology in the Format war, they will prevail. In Far East, David Gibson, consumer electronic analyst at Macquarie Securities in Tokyo said Warner's deal changed the game outcome and "it's game over for HD DVD". In Tokyo trading Sony shares ended 0.7% higher while Toshiba fell 2.3%.

photo credit REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Toshiba says HD DVD has not lost out to Blu-ray [via reuters]