Wal-Mart dumps HD DVDs to back Blu-ray

[MilesColtrane]

The war is over.

This should put the final nail in the coffin of HD DVDs.

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By Franklin Paul

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc has decided to exclusively sell high-definition DVDs in the Blu-Ray format, dealing what could be a crippling blow to the rival HD DVD technology backed by Toshiba Corp.

The move by the world's largest retailer, announced on Friday, caps a disappointing week for HD DVD supporters, who also saw consumer electronics chain Best Buy Co Inc and online video rental company Netflix Inc defect to the Blu-ray camp.

In a statement on its Web site, Wal-Mart said that over the next few months it will phase out sales of HD DVD systems and discs. By June, it will sell only products in the Blu-ray format which was developed by Sony Corp.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSWEN397220080215?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews&rpc=69