Is Onkyo planning to abandon HD DVD?

[EatMeCool]

As if the recent Warner Home Video decision wasn’t enough of a blow for the format, the HD DVD camp now appears to be losing the support of one of its few hardware supporters outside of Toshiba. Regularly listed as a major supporter of the format on literature produced by the HD DVD Promotion Group, specialist Japanese hi-fi/AV manufacturer Onkyo finally debuted a standalone HD DVD player towards the end of 2007.

Based around Toshiba’s HD-XE1, Onkyo’s DV-HD805 almost went unnoticed by many in the UK due to the limited numbers of machines brought to the UK market and the fact that, according to the company, the vast majority of these were sold through pre-orders. And it looks like that will be the lot. A spokesperson close to the company has revealed that no further stock will follow, stating, ‘given the current, multiple uncertainties surrounding the Blu-ray vs HD DVD issue Onkyo has decided against bringing any further DV-HD805s to the UK’. This isn’t particularly good news for a format struggling to demonstrate industry support in the wake of recent desertions to the competing Blu-ray format.

But the bad news for the HD DVD camp doesn’t stop there. Toshiba’s strategy throughout the winter of slashing player prices has had a series knock-on effect for other manufacturers. It appears that it is this, more than any other situation that is causing Onkyo to re-evaluate its position in the hi-def format war. Speaking exclusively to HCC, a representative of the company claimed that ‘Onkyo brings its talents to bear where it thinks it can add value to a given product category. If a category becomes commoditised – as this sector shows signs of becoming – there’s less reason to commit huge resources to it when they may be better employed elsewhere’. So it seems that Toshiba’s desperate attempts to drive sales of its HD DVD players to customers by reducing retail prices are also driving hardware manufacturers away from the format, as they see less opportunity to make money in the sector.

The only real silver lining for HD DVD is that, while it might seem unlikely, the company refuses to completely rule out the possibility of another Onkyo player hitting shelves during 2008. All the company will do is tease that it will ‘unveil a new HD source later this year, but cannot confirm at this stage whether it will be a HD DVD, Blu-ray or combi device’.

http://blog.homecinemachoice.com/pag...ing_to_abandon

[Muad'Dib]

Onkyo finaly realised there's little profit to be made competing againt Toshiba who's only goal is to sell players at any cost.

Lets hope we see Onkyo switch to developing Blu-ray players soon.

[chelsea.tone]

Not a surprise tho, given Onkyo's price for this player, and the fact that Toshiba cant shift theirs at a third of the price.

[Virtual Terror]

I hope so

[gandley]

Cosider Onkyo now blu. feel sorry for then a little, in that Toshiba pulled the pricing level down around there ankles before they even got to market with there player.

[Muad'Dib]

Nice to see you on HCC Gandley. :thumbsup2: Did anyone even see an Onkyo player? I mean I don't even recall a photo of the player reaching the net.

[Kensui]

i diont know why but i have a certain aversion to the brand onkyo

[Dark Knight]

i diont know why but i have a certain aversion to the brand onkyo

My 875 is the First bit of Onkyo kit i have ever had, and i must say i can not fault it... have you had a bad experience with them ???