Well, I can't say that it was a surprise to read today that Toshiba has officially announced that HD DVD is over. Dead. Kaput.

In a press release immediately released after a live press conference in Tokyo, Toshiba announced that it will no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and HD DVD recorders. This announcement officially ends the high-def format war between Blu-Ray and HD DVD that has been raging since early 2006. Blu-Ray is now the standard for high definition media, players and recorders. Toshiba will begin to reduce shipments of HD DVD players and recorders to retail channels, aiming for cessation of these businesses by the end of March 2008.

For all those early adopters who chose HD DVD, the only consolation is that the Toshiba line of players are still excellent choices for upconverting standard DVDs. So, there is no reason to go out and toss your HD DVD player into the garbage just yet. There is still a real use for them as upscaling players in a bedroom, living room or secondary home theater system.

More details about the announcement and Toshiba's future plans can be found in the official press release.

My favorite picture from the announcement? The folks over at Engadget put together a very nice picture that Monty Python fans will especially enjoy:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/19/official-hd-dvd-dead-and-buried-format-war-is-over/