Redmond (WA) - widely expected for about two weeks, Microsoft has officially announced it will stop production of its HD DVD player add-on for the Xbox 360.

"As a result of recent decisions made by Toshiba, Hollywood studios, and retailers, Microsoft plans to withdraw from HD DVD," said Microsoft in a statement.

This month, virtually all the remaining HD DVD supporters decided to backpeddle and move to Blu-ray Disc, including former format cheerleaders Toshiba and Universal.

Microsoft will continue to offer warranty and other product support, but effective immediately, the Xbox 360 peripheral has been taken off the production lines. The company also noted, "As we stated earlier, we do not believe this decision will have any material impact on the Xbox 360 platform or our position in the marketplace."