Now Netflix abandons HD-DVD

In a further blow to Toshiba’s beleaguered HD-DVD hi-def disc format, giant US DVD rental service Netflix has announced that it to phase out the format this year in favour of Sony’s Blu-Ray format.

Tech blog Engadget says the mail rental service cites the dissipating studio support of HD-DVD as the main reason. Netflix will continue to carry HD-DVD titles until stock is phased out toward the end of the year.

It seems that barely a day passes without another piece of bad news for Toshiba’s high-capacity disc.

The year started badly for the firm, with the news that Warner (who at the time was HD-DVD’s most high profile supporter) is to cease production of the discs, instead shifting its focus to Blu-Ray.

More recently, UK retailer Woolworths declared that it was to stop stocking HD-DVD. And considering Blockbuster has already pledged its allegiance to Blu-Ray, it’s becoming harder and harder to see a way back for it.

Last week Microsoft announced that it had slashed the price of its HD-DVD Xbox 360 add-on in North America, mirroring Toshiba’s price cuts on its standalone HD-DVD player range.