Samsung to scale back HD DVD support

Samsung will de-emphasize HD DVD support in the near future, the company said today. The Korean electronics firm has currently been developing dual-format Blu-ray and HD DVD movie players such as the UP5000 but has now said it will show "more interests" in Blu-ray devices above the HD format's rival. No plans have been announced to phase out dual-format players, though the gradual end to the HD DVD format is likely to reduce the chances of any HD DVD-capable players in the future.

Samsung has primarily backed Blu-ray since opting to produce HD movie players and presently offers only Blu-ray movie players in stores. This in addition to help from fellow Blu-ray supporters Pioneer and Sony have often been credited as a blow to HD DVD, which has rarely counted more hardware supporters than Microsoft and Toshiba.

The Samsung commentary is likely prompted by both official Toshiba statements and rumors that have hinted Toshiba will withdraw the HD DVD format entirely, potentially removing it from the market within weeks after losing most support from studios and retailers.

Filed under: gadgets