A retail war is waging over the next-generation DVD, and so far most consumers are staying out of it. On one side is HD DVD, which is backed by Toshiba, Microsoft, Intel and others, as well as studios like Warner Bros. and Paramount.

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. said it will stop making HD DVD players for its Xbox 360 video game system after Toshiba Corp. ceded the high-definition video format battle to Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray.

November 30, 2004

Q: I’m having a problem with my Windows Media Player playing DVDs. I am able to play other video clips perfectly in the program but whenever I try to run a DVD it comes up with either an error message or the DVD will play without any video. - Ryan

Following Circuit City’s decision to extend its return policy for HD DVD players, Best Buy will give $50 gift cards to everyone who purchased one of the players from it before Feb. 23. Blu-ray beat HD DVD in the battle for next-generation DVD, and Best Buy said it regrets that consumers were forced to choose between the two formats and in many cases chose the losing format.

With HD DVD soon to be a thing of the past, consumers who purchased HD DVD players no doubt are feeling uncomfortable knowing the number of new releases in the format is winding down to zero.

February 14, 2005

December 7, 2004

TOKYO - Toshiba Corp. and NEC Corp. said Friday that the DVD Forum, an international association of electronics makers and movie studios, has approved the two Japanese companies' standard for next-generation DVDs.

Rest in peace, HD DVD.The battle for next-generation DVD has come to an end with Sony's Blu-ray beating Toshiba's HD DVD. This week, Toshiba announced it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders after nearly all major studios decided to abandon the format for upcoming DVD releases.

LOS ANGELES - Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG will offer next-generation DVDs in the HD DVD format and drop support for Blu-ray, further complicating the race between the competing technologies.

What started as a “fun project” to share his wizardry with the short game has gone beyond Phil Mickelson’s expectations.

LOS ANGELES - Blu-ray stomped HD DVD to become the standard format for high-definition movie discs, but years may pass before it can claim victory over the good old DVD.

LOS ANGELES - The battle to become the next-generation DVD standard has escalated, with Paramount Pictures becoming the first major movie studio to support both rival formats.

TOKYO - The war over the next-generation DVD standard is playing out full force at a sprawling electronics exhibition opening near Tokyo Tuesday with Japanese electronics companies on both sides expressing confidence for victory.

NEW YORK - If you just bought a DVD-burning drive for your computer and think that for once you're current with the latest and greatest, it's disappointment time. Manufacturers are soon launching drives that can store double the amount of data on a disc.

NEW YORK - If you just bought a DVD-burning drive for your computer and think that for once you're current with the latest and greatest, it's disappointment time. Manufacturers are soon launching drives that can store double the amount of data on a disc.

NEW YORK - The HD DVD is now the Highly Dead DVD. Toshiba Corp., creator of the HD DVD, dropped out of the battle Tuesday over the next generation of movie-disc technology and conceded to Sony's rival Blu-ray format.

LAS VEGAS - The International Consumer Electronics Show is turning out to be a celebration party for Blu-ray, the high-definition format that Sony Corp. backed, and a wake for a rival movie disc technology pushed by Toshiba Corp.

It doesn’t take long to figure out what high-tech electronic gadgets are among the most popular gifts for Christmas this year. Head into any electronics store, and you’re likely to see plenty of people gathered around the digital camera display.