Wal-Mart move may doom HD DVDs

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- HD DVDs may soon be history after Wal-Mart decided to only stock Blu-ray high-definition DVDs at the giant retail chain's U.S. stores.

The move by Wal-Mart was paired with its decision to only sell DVD players using a Blu-ray format, pioneered by Sony. Industry analysts see it as a strong indicator that HD DVDs are essentially doomed, The New York Times said Saturday.

"The fat lady has sung," technology industry analyst Rob Enderle said. "Wal-Mart is the biggest player in the DVD market. If it says HD DVD is done, you can take that as a fact."

Best Buy, Target and Netflix also have moved to Blu-ray products.

A Blu-ray Disc Association spokesman said the move represented an effort to eliminate the costs associated with carrying two DVD brands.

Spokesman Andy Parsons told the Times HD DVDs, marketed by Toshiba and embraced by three major Hollywood studios, simply lost out in an industry battle for DVD supremacy.

"It's pretty clear that retailers consumers trust the most have concluded that the format war is all but over," Parsons said. "Toshiba fought a very good battle, but the industry is ready to move on and go with a single format."