Microsoft officially ends HD-DVD production

Microsoft has officially canned its HD-DVD peripheral, but will continue to offer product and warranty support to those that have bought the Xbox 360 movie player.

Toshiba officially announced the discontinuation of its HD-DVD business last week, following decisions by leading retailers and movie companies to back the rival Blu-ray format.

"As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD-DVD," read the Microsoft statement.

"Xbox will no longer manufacture new HD-DVD players for the Xbox 360, but we will continue to provide standard product and warranty support for all Xbox 360 HD-DVD players in the market."

"As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace," the statement continued.