Betamax has a new friend in the tech boneyard. HD DVD is dead.

Toshiba's HD DVD has long duked it out with Sony's Blu-ray Disc in the high-definition format war. But in a recent one-two-three punch, retail giants Best Buy and Wal-Mart and online video-rental service Netflix threw their support behind Blu-ray — major blows that all but put HD DVD down for good.

Toshiba issued a statement saying it will “no longer develop, manufacture and market HD DVD players and recorders” but will still “provide full product support and after-sales service for all owners of Toshiba HD DVD products.”

Toshiba looks to cease HD DVD players and recorders by the end of March.

That's fine for Blu-ray buyers and high-def fans uncertain what format to get, but what about those who already bought into HD DVD tech? Bjorn Dybdahl of Bjorn's Audio Video Home Theater says HD DVD players still are “great machines” that can up-convert standard DVDs with an improved picture.

As for the big picture in high-def video, Blu-ray looks headed for greener pastures while HD DVD is headed for a dirt nap.

René A. Guzman | 210SA Contributor