The first HD DVD and Blu-ray format discs were released back in 2006. Since then it's been a long and grueling war. Both sides have dished out and taken hits, and for a while there, some thought the format war would end in a stalemate. However, the HD DVD camp started losing backers in the last few months, a movement that probably started when Warner Bros. decided to go Blu-ray exclusive. Now, HD DVD has lost one of its biggest supporters, Toshiba, signaling what may be the end of the war. Read the full article to recap some of the biggest events that led to this point in the format war.

Originally posted on February 20, 2008 at 1:34 p.m.

With Toshiba leaving the HD DVD format, we see the first signs of its effects on the console wars. Analysts agree that with HD DVD format out of the way, PlayStation 3 consoles will get a great boost in sales. Analyst Michael Pachter also gives his take on what's in store for Microsoft with the loss of HD DVD. Details in the full article.

Jeff Bell, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing for Interactive Entertainment, was interviewed at the tail end of the Consumer Electronics Show 2008 a few weeks ago. During the interview, he commented on what the future may hold for Mass Effect's exclusivity. He also touched on the format wars (Warner Bros.' decision to go Blu-ray), and IPTV for the Xbox 360. Read more in the full article.

The December sales report from the NPD Group was published, and it's been quite a turnout. Analysts were right in predicting that the industry will experience a sales growth, but now that the numbers are out they have even more to say. Check out the full article for reactions from analysts Michael Pachter and Jesse Divnich on the December sales numbers.

Whether Warner Bros' decision to go exclusive to Blu-ray can turn the tides for the Sony PlayStation 3 or not, there's one thing that's certain - analysts always have something to say, and they have their own sets of predictions. Find out what top analysts think about Warner Bros. support at the full article.