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Posts with tag dead

Samsung kills BD-UP5500 combo player before it ever truly lived

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 6th 2008 at 11:49AM Breaking News


Given the finality of the format war, we can't say we're totally shocked to hear that Samsung will be pulling the plug on its recently announced BD-UP5500 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player, but still, it's not good news for folks planning to pick it up for kicks (or watching their library of HD DVDs). Interestingly enough, Sammy had already planned to axe its current flagship hybrid player -- the BD-UP5000 -- this May, just months after it went on sale and began taking heat for not meeting expectations. On the plus side, the firm's latest BD-only player was a real gem, so hopefully we'll see lots more where that came from in the future. Oh, and if you're weeping this very moment at the thought of never getting to see one in person, feel free to click here and live vicariously through us.

Sony bids adieu to Trinitron CRT sets

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 3rd 2008 at 2:04PM Breaking News

Just months after Sony hauled its RPTV production business off to the graveyard, the firm is now bidding a fond farewell to the Trinitron CRT. Believe it or not, the first Trinitron became a reality in 1968, and here we are some 40 years later shedding a tear as LCDs and OLED displays steal the thunder. Reportedly, the firm has moved some 280 million units worldwide between televisions and computer monitors, but we suppose all good things must eventually come to an end. So long, Trinitron -- it's been a mighty impressive run.

[Via Slashgear]

DivX shutting down Stage6

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 25th 2008 at 3:18PM Breaking News


In a somewhat sudden announcement, DivX has decided to close the door on its Stage6 service. Reportedly, upload functionality has already been halted, but videos will still be available for viewing / downloading until February 28th. According to a DivX employee, the service simply became too unwieldy (and expensive) to manage, and while it did toss out the option of selling the service to someone else, things evidently didn't pan out. Adios, Stage6 -- 'twas a fun ride.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Toshiba pulling the plug on HD DVD already? - Yup it's over.

by Richard Lawler, posted Feb 16th 2008 at 8:29AM Breaking News

Japan's NHK has followed up The Hollywood Reporter's earlier indications Toshiba was ready to dump its money-losing HD DVD business, with news that the company is prepared to cease manufacturing software and hardware, at a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars. This caps the worst week ever for red, when HD DVD was dumped by Netflix and Wal-mart, pushed to the background by Best Buy and put on -- an apparently incredibly short -- deathwatch right here. Toshiba is mum on the subject right now, but we hear there's plenty of cheap players and movies in a dumpster around back of the HQ.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in; via Reuters; warning, Japanese read link]

Update: Along with an English translation of the NHK's article (Thanks sfditty!) comes additional confirmation from Reuters sources, it's a wrap. Toshiba is shutting down its DVD manufacturing facilities in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, while official word is expected "soon".

Toshiba gearing up to drop HD DVD?

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 14th 2008 at 8:34PM Breaking News

We're not exactly sure what's going on in Toshiba land, but shortly after not-exactly-believable whispers made the rounds of the firm suddenly deciding to try its hand at making a Blu-ray player, we're now seeing reports stating that it will pull the plug on its beloved format "in the coming weeks." Citing unnamed industry "sources," The Hollywood Reporter is suggesting that the end may be nigh for the HD DVD format. Jodi Sally, VP of marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products, was quoted as saying that "given the market developments in the past month, Toshiba will continue to study the market impact and the value proposition for consumers, particularly in light of its recent price reductions on all HD DVD players." Of course, we aren't exactly equating said statement to waving the white flag or anything, but whatever the case, it seems the death watch is in full effect.

[Via Home Media Magazine, thanks to everyone who sent this in]




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