Onkyo dropping HD-DVD support?
Is Japanese home theater specialist Onkyo is the latest to abandon the HD-DVD ship? An Onkyo spokesperson has revealed that no more of the Onkyo HD-DVD players will be stocked in the UK.
"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," said the spokesperson. The AV company starting shipping standalone players towards the end of 2007. During that time, Onkyo was listed as a major HD-DVD supporter in promotional literature produced by the HD-DVD Promotion Group.
Speculation is that the price game Toshiba has been playing could be the reason behind Onkyo’s decision. In a statement to HCC an Onkyo representative stated, "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."
There was no indication that any changes to shipments of the players to the US would occur. Onkyo also teased that they would "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".
With the latest blows to the HD-DVD camp, is it possible that Onkyo will continue their support at a later date? Maybe Onkyo just wants to ride the pine for a little while.
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February 9th, 2008
The UK office say they aren’t going to bring the Onkyo into the UK.
Not exactly surprising stuff considering they did little more than take a Toshiba HD XA2/XE1 and changed the face-plate, stick their own badge on it and jack the price up considerably making it a ridiculous buy compared to the original Toshiba (which remains an excellent player).
Maybe they ought to look to their own actions & strategy before crying publicly about what they are going to or are not going to do?