Microsoft Drops HD-DVD Support For Xbox 360

Following the news that Toshiba had officially admitted defeat in the next-gen video format wars, Microsoft has announced it is officially discontinuing its HD-DVD addon for the Xbox 360, promising to still offer standard product and warranty support. The company reiterated in a statement that it does not believe Toshiba's conceit to Sony's Blu-ray format "will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace." "HD DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers," said the statement, referring to its Xbox Live Marketplace digital download service, "and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own." Microsoft had repeatedly and firmly previously stated that it had no plans to switch its allegiance and offer a Blu-ray player once studios and retailers began dropping the format, though Xbox group marketing manager Albert Penello, speaking to Reuters at CES, said, “Should be consumer choice; and if that's the way they vote, that's something we'll have to consider."