Tipped to this during the call with Warner, Toshiba—one of HD DVD’s daddies—has released their statement on Warner’s Blu-ray defection. It reads like a letter from a jilted lover: “We have long maintained a close partnership with Warner Bros” and “Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.’ decision to abandon HD DVD in favour of Blu-ray.” The full screed of woe:
TOKYO, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.’ decision to abandon HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray, despite the fact that there are various contracts in place between our companies concerning the support of HD DVD. As central members of the DVD Forum, we have long maintained a close partnership with Warner Bros. We worked closely together to help standardise the first-generation DVD format as well as to define and shape HD DVD as its next-generation successor.We were particularly disappointed that this decision was made in spite of the significant momentum HD DVD has gained in the US market as well as other regions in 2007. HD DVD players and PCs have outsold Blu-ray in the US market in 2007.
We will assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and valuate potential next steps. We remain firm in our belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer.
Ben Anderson
January 6, 2008 at 10:28 PM
THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL TOSHIBA PRESS RELEASE!!!! CHECK THE RELEASES HERE: http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/index.htm
It also says “there are various contracts in place between our companies.” A standard press release is never written in first person, like it is all throughout this article.
Gizmodo, you should definitely repair the damage you’ve caused to HD-DVD through displaying this misinformation.
Report PermalinkBen Anderson
January 6, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Err is it just me or IS THIS A FAKE?
I have never seen a press release written in the first person. They are always talking about “we” here.
Also, check the Toshiba Press Releases on their website. This one doesn’t exist.
Sounds like some Bluray fanboy decided to further shame HD-DVD by writing this by themself (poorly.) No PR manager in their right mind would write an article like this admitting defeat.
Shameful, just shameful. And even worse that no one’s picked it up yet.
If you can prove me wrong please post a comment.
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