techTalk: The Blu-ray/HD-DVD war is over

The high-definition format war is finally finished. The battlefield has been cleared and there is only one survivor. Luckily for us, this is a great thing.

Since the first half of 2006, eager consumers have found themselves in a quandary over whether to dedicate themselves to HD-DVD or Blu-ray high-definition media formats. One of these formats would be the successor to our old faithful friend, the DVD.

The promise of crystal clear movies and video content on a high-definition screen in our homes has allured many, many consumers. Until now, however, early adopters have been forced to make a choice between the cheaper HD-DVD devices or the beefier technical specs of Blu-ray.

HD-DVD emerged in early 2006 into the consumer market. Toshiba, the main supporter of HD-DVD, contracted a large portion of movie studios to distribute films on the format. Sales were lackluster at best due to the high prices of the players and media discs.

In June 2006, Sony's Blu-ray made its debut, but the hype had lost steam since there was already a high-definition format on the market.

Again, sales of the even more expensive Blu-ray equipment left many scratching their heads as to which would lead the way into bringing high-definition movies and videos into the home.

Since the later half of 2007, Blu-ray sales have pulled far ahead of HD-DVD. The movie industries were switching one by one to Blu-ray-only contracts with Sony. Toshiba held fast, but received a major blow in the beginning of 2008, when its largest supporter, Warner Bros., threw its hat in with Sony.

Toshiba held a press conference Tuesday reporting it would no longer produce or support the competing format to Blu-ray. The war was over.

For you, the consumer, the decision has been made. The next home media player you will probably purchase will be a Blu-ray disc device.

But don't think you need to get on the bandwagon now. Prices are still high, and it will be a while before we see Blu-ray players below the $200 price point. Rest assured, Blu-ray is here to stay a long while. No new formats worth mentioning are heading to market any time soon.

Blu-ray movies are similarly priced to DVD discs when the DVD emerged in the late '90s, but should see a price drop all around since more manufacturers will be dedicated to the Blu-ray format.

Also, don't fall for retail trickery. Many retail chains are having seemingly extraordinary sales on HD-DVD players and media. But since the format is no longer supported, retailers will be pushing a dead format on unsuspecting consumers.

If you've held out this long in waiting to buy a high-definition solution to your movie enthusiasm, congratulations! Other than spending $500 on your next home media player, the decision to upgrade to high-definition never was so easy.