Pioneer Drops Out of DVD Business, Focuses on Blu-Ray

Faced with stiff competition and dwindling revenues, Pioneer Corp. has announced it will cease producing standard DVD recorders but will continue to focus on Blu-ray products, the company told international newspaper Nihon Keiza Shimbun over the weekend.

In 1999, Pioneer became the world's first company to commercial DVD recorders, and is currently the fourth-biggest supplier of the devices in the world.

The company also says it is looking to line up with fellow leading electronics manufacturer Matshushita to cut costs, by purchasing its key microchips and software to help develop Pioneer Blu-ray players.