HD DVD comes at the point of no return, as hardware manufacturers announce plans to support Blu-ray

With the abandonment of the vessel studies in the field of HD DVD, Samsung became one of the first hardware vendors publicly sabotaging its HD DVD interests.

The Korea Times, a publication considered by close ties of Samsung, received word of officials of the companies yesterday afternoon. “Samsung is expected to show more interest in the products of rival Blu-ray HD DVD,” claimed a company representative.

The high-definition format war raged from 2006 until the first week of 2008, when Warner Brothers announced its intention to cease plans dual format of the media, followed by the proclamation of Blu-ray exclusivity.

Samsung is committed to HD DVD can be described as little more than empty words. The company announced plans to unveil dual format HD-DVD and Blu-ray players 18 months ago, only to enact delays for the next year. When the company finally introduced its player BD-UP5000, Korean rival LG practically owned the dual-format player market.

Samsung never released a stand-alone version of HD DVD.

Toshiba, the largest manufacturer of hardware HD DVD denies its intention to withdraw from the market for HD DVD. However, news of Japanese NHK public broadcasting claims Toshiba has taken the decision to leave the market will come later this week.

The HD DVD Promotion Group still supported by Paramount and DreamWorks, two major Hollywood studios committed to HD DVD exclusive.