By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Samsung Electronics is expected to accelerate its ongoing efforts to strengthen Blu-ray products since Toshiba virtually pulled the plug on its HD DVD products.
``Samsung is expected to show more interests in Blu-ray products than rival HD DVDs,’’ according to a Samsung official on Sunday.
Industry sources have said Toshiba is highly likely to shut down its HD DVD business early this week, ending the ``survival game’’ over the next-generation format against Sony- and Samsung-led Blu-ray technology.
Samsung officials have declined to further comment. However, industry insiders said the company has secured a solid momentum to propel its products armored with next-generation formats.
``Samsung, which has been adopting a dual-strategy for both Blu-ray and HD DVD products, is likely to cut the HD DVD portion because of aggressive marketing and closer industry connections over the technology,’’ a market expert said.
Samsung Electronics has been introducing Blu-ray players and recorders and it has a competitive edge over the advanced technology with its patents.
Since major media contents moguls including Warner Bros. have recently decided to release HD DVDs exclusively in Blu-ray backed by Sony and Samsung Electronics, Toshiba fired back by cutting its HD DVD player prices by as much as half in the United States _ the world’s largest consumer electronics market.
However, the hoped-for consumer sales increase was never realized as larger U.S. retailers supported Blu-ray format products.
HD DVD players are less costly and is more advanced in implementing new features such as Internet content, while Blu-ray players are just strengthening new interactive features, Internet connectivity and picture-in-picture capability.
The fight between Blu-ray and HD DVD, including Microsoft and Intel, has mirrored the struggle between Betamax and VHS to dominate video tapes.
yckim@koreatimes.co.kr
1 | Korea to ease entry rules to boost tourism, domestic spending |
![[INTERVIEW] Can art become stable investment source?](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/d9b4b117e5b74f4c931de724ebd2ee68.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Choi Min-sik, Lee Dong-hwi on creating Korean-style noir with 'Big Bet'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8b795a8f6b42492db4e8fdc47e9abd8d.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Ahn Jae-hong on playing underdog basketball coach in 'Rebound'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/fe381342632c46bfa6d3245cb475676e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
