Toshiba "disappointed" by Woolworths HD-DVD decision

Well, it was hardly going to be particulalrly pleased about it, was it? UK retailer Woolworths dumped HD-DVD today, meaning Blu-ray will be the only next generation disc movie format stocked in its 800-plus high street stores. In a statement issued to GI this afternoon, HD-DVD player manufacturer Toshiba was less than thrilled, but managed to spin the situation all the same.

"While we're disappointed by Woolworths' decision, it is extremely early to spot which format will eventually win," commented Oliver Van Wynendaele, euro assistant general manager of Toshiba's Consumer Products Division. "We have been hugely successful in expanding the number of consumers owning HD-DVD players. UK consumers can now pick-up an HD-DVD player for less than GBP 150, around half the cost of other HD formats. Even before pricing reached this level, HD-DVD represented more than 60 per cent of the overall standalone high definition market."

Woolworths noted that PlayStation 3's inclusion of Blu-ray was a driving factor in making its decision to dump HD-DVD.