In a move to jockey for position in the new format DVD race, Toshiba has slashed the price of its HD DVD players in the US.

The move has been labelled a "strategic reduction" and is effective immedietly.

All the manufacturer’s HD DVD players have been price ajusted, with the cheaper HD-A2 reduced to $399 (EUR299/£203) and the new HD-A20 model out at $499 (EUR374/£254).

Supporters of the HD DVD format include Warner, Paramount, Eagle Rock and, of course, Microsoft which carries the format in its Xbox 360, though rumours do abound of a Blu-ray unit for their console.

"The spring is ramping up well for HD-DVD, with an incredible list of movies and the best priced hardware on the market", commented Ken Graffeo, executive VP of marketing at Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

>> Link - Official Site/Toshiba HD-DVD