“A man should never be ashamed to own up that he was wrong” – Alexander Pope

For the last couple of years I have been forecasting in ERT Weekly that Blu-ray would win the so-called “Format war” between it and HD-DVD. 

Fortunately, I did pick the winner otherwise I would now be eating humble pie and telling my customers that unfortunately HD- DVD has been abandoned by Microsoft and Toshiba.

None of my customers were advised to buy the HD-DVD hardware that will soon be redundant. However there are many dealers who did recommend and sell HD-DVD and they must now be deciding what is best to tell their customers.  So far,l there has been no word of refunds from the manufacturers.

One large retail chain in Japan, Edion with over 700 shops, has publicly stated that it was “Deeply ashamed” to have sold HD DVDs. 

 It is giving a full refund against the purchase of any brand of Blu-ray player.  It sold seven Toshiba HD DVD models some of which were more expensive at launch than the present Blu-ray players – so a number of “early adopters” will not only get a new player, but also some money back.

Especially when one Toshiba model sold for £1700.  Now that is being “deeply ashamed!”

Will any UK retailer be brave enough to make the same offer?