Sources: Toshiba rethinking HD DVD focus

TOKYO, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Industry sources say Japan's Toshiba Corp. is reviewing its focus on High Definition DVDs in light of the success of Sony's Blu-ray technology.

With the U.S. department store chain Wal-Mart deciding to only sell Blu-ray products in the future, industry sources say Toshiba has been forced to rethink its stance regarding the evolving DVD world, the Kyodo news agency reported Sunday.

Wal-Mart's move toward Blu-ray products followed moves by Best Buy Co. and other retailers to focus on Blu-ray rather than Toshiba's HD DVD products.

The U.S. trend has led to twice as many sales of Blu-ray players and software than their Toshiba counterparts.

The Kyodo News said the growing success of Blu-ray essentially means HD DVDs are all but a thing of the past and the sources say Toshiba will examine its sales abroad before making a final decision on the matter.