Toshiba Discontinues HD-DVD Business
The next-gen DVD format wars between Sony's Blu-ray & Toshiba's HD-DVD have finally come to an end after about 3 years of early adopters trying to decide which format to go with. & it's Blu-ray that comes out on top. That's right, you don't have to worry about deciding anymore because Blu-ray has won. Toshiba formally announced this week that they'll cease their HD-DVD business & within a few months HD-DVDs will probably no longer be around. The final nails in the coffin were probably due to Warner Bros & Wal-mart deciding to go with Blu-ray, which initially backed HD-DVD.
I had a feeling that Blu-ray would win in the end since the beginning, & when it was announced that Sony's PS3 would play Blu-ray discs that pretty much sealed it for me. But I don't think it was entirely the PS3 that made Blu-ray win, although I think it was a big part in it during these final months. I personally believe the name "Blu-ray" sounded cooler than "HD-DVD" & that its clear blue casing looked cooler than HD-DVD's red casing. Shallow as it may be, I think this is why more customers wanted to go with Blu-ray. I was actually pulling for Toshiba to win because I feel Sony's a greater evil between the two.
This effects the anime world too, as Blu-ray is now officially the future of releasing media & will one day be the only way for you to purchase it at stores. Despite this however, Bandai Visual USA announced soon afterwards that they'll continue to release their series Freedom on the HD-DVD format. Making it the only high-def anime in North America not to be on Blu-ray. Rest in Peace, HD-DVD.
Source: http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2008_02/pr1903.htm