There are more indications this weekend that primary HD DVD backer Toshiba is close to conceding defeat to rival high-def format Blu-ray.

Though there was no official comment from Toshiba Saturday, an unnamed company rep told Reuters that an official announcement could come from the company as early as this coming week.

"We have entered the final stage of planning to make our exit from the next generation DVD business," the source told Reuters in a just-published story.

In a separate report filed earlier in the day, Japanese broadcaster NHK said that although Toshiba is expected to continue selling HD DVD players at stores for the time being, it will cease production of all HD DVD-compatible equipment and will close its HD DVD factories in Northern Japan.

Today's stories from Reuters and NHK follow a similar report late Thursday from the Hollywood Reporter. A Toshiba spokesperson denied the report at the time, reiterating the company's support of HD DVD, calling it "the best format for consumers, given the value and consistent quality inherent in our player offerings."