Today's High-Def Headlines

Toshiba to Give Up on HD Format, Ceding Field to Sony - Reuters
The Toshiba Corporation is planning to give up on its HD DVD format for high-definition DVDs, formally conceding defeat to the competing Blu-ray technology backed by Sony, according to a company official. A source at Toshiba confirmed a report by the public broadcaster NHK that it was getting ready to pull the plug. He said an official announcement could come as early as this week.

Toshiba Considering Quitting HD DVD - AP
Sony's Blu-ray technology is emerging as the likely winner in the format battle for the next generation of DVD players after Toshiba appeared ready to ditch its HD DVD business. Such a move would help consumers know which system to invest in and would likely boost sales in Blu-ray gadgets, analysts say. But it will disappoint the 1 million people around the world estimated by Toshiba who have already bought HD DVD players.

Wal-Mart To Back Blu-ray - TWICE
Wal-Mart will back Blu-ray exclusively in its 4,000 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in the United States by June, the chain said in a statement on its Web site Friday. The Wal-Mart announcement is the third blow to HD DVD this week, the other two being decisions by Best Buy and Netflix to back Blu-ray. Wal-Mart will continue to sell through remaining HD DVD product, but in less than 30 days customers will see a more predominant move toward Blu-ray in stores, clubs and online, the chain said.

MGM HD Roars Into Second City - MCN
RCN launched MGM HD in Chicago, the biggest of several recent rollouts and carriage contracts for the studio's dedicated high-definition service. MGM HD, which earlier had reached carriage contracts with DirecTV and Verizon's FiOS TV service, is up and running in the Windy City via a company-wide distribution deal with RCN.

Half Of UK Men Would Swap Sex For 50 Inch TV - Reuters
Nearly half of British men surveyed would give up sex for six months in return for a 50-inch plasma TV, a survey -- perhaps unsurprisingly carried out for a firm selling televisions -- said on Friday. Electrical retailer Comet surveyed 2,000 Britons, asking them what they would give up for a large television, one of the latest consumer "must-haves." The firm found 47 percent of men would give up sex for half a year, compared to just over a third of women.