Blockbuster chooses Blu-ray

[SS]

In a huge blow to Toshiba, Universal, and the rest of the HD DVD devotees, rental giant Blockbuster has decided to stock only Blu-ray discs in the vast majority of its nationwide locations, although HD DVD titles will continue to be offered online and in the 250 (out of 1,450) stores that have been testing both formats since last year. Blockbuster VP Matthew Smith revealed to the AP that the decision to go with Blu-ray -- which will reportedly be announced tomorrow -- stemmed from an overwhelming customer preference for those titles in the test markets, accounting for over 70% of all HD discs rented. Interestingly enough, it seems that content -- and not price -- was the deciding factor for consumers, with Blu-ray-only hits such as the Spiderman and Pirates of the Caribbean films apparently outmatching equivalent HD DVD exclusives. While it's still a little too soon to declare Blu-ray the outright winner, this Blockbuster decision only contributes to the momentum that Sony's darling has had of late -- momentum that at this point, might be too difficult for the other guys to counter.

Source: Engadget

[Rockmond]

Pwnt

[Viper]

Reminds me of Blockbuster's exclusive deal with Weinstein Co.

[Garfunkel]

In other news, i walked up to my local civic video today, saw a few BD shelves, not much, but spent a while looking for HD DVD discs...guess how many i found?

None.

[masteratt]

Yeah I was in Sony Centre the other day and there isn't a sign of HD-DVD....Oh wait.

War is slowly coming to an end, finally.
It ended ages ago in my eyes, we are just waiting for the word to spread.

[VG Aficionado]

Interestingly enough, it seems that content -- and not price -- was the deciding factor for consumers, with Blu-ray-only hits such as the Spiderman and Pirates of the Caribbean films apparently outmatching equivalent HD DVD exclusives.

DUH! The price argument is useless, and it shows. The price difference isn't that high to begin with anyway.

[scarecrow]

The Bluray exclusives are pretty terrible. But I suppose they have more blockbusters and that's what people need.

[Applefiend]

I'd think Universal will crack in the next 12 months. Only a matter of time before their shareholders start breathing down their neck.

And Spiderman isn't out on Blu Ray.

... but Hot Fuzz/Shaun of the Dead is coming out on HD DVD.

Knew there was a reason I bought that HD DVD add on for 360....

[Coded-Dude]

unless the "BD Rot" issues actually proves to be widespread and extremely problematic.

[masteratt]

Here is BBCs take on it.

"I think trying to make a format decision using such a short time period is really not measuring what the consumer is saying," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the [HD-DVD]group.

They really should realise, this should NOT be a long-term battle.

Consumers and stores want this crap to be over ASAP so this is one of those rare occasions where thinking in long term will leave you damaged and I'm surprised the HD-DVD camp isn't aware of that.

[curryking1]

^True say masteratt.

[OmniCloud]

I wish EVERYONE will just hop on already...I still see a few HDDVD movies I want on Blu-ray and it's so annoying...

and wtf is up with the price man? $30 for a freakin' Blu-ray??!!!

[Coded-Dude]

lots of movies are 19.99. I've even purchase several at 9.99(on sale)

[Garfunkel]

It's going to hurt universal when they switch back, "we were wrong! we're sorry faithful customers!"

[scarecrow]

I haven't seen one movie on either format above 20 USD...

[Garfunkel]

I need to go out in my free time and have a look at the price of BD's and HD DVD's here in sydney.

[scarecrow]

We probably get them cheaper because we can't appreciate paying more like other countries.

[Garfunkel]

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hd-dvd-on...les-270313.php

Blockbuster's decision to support Blu-ray in all of its 1,450 stores is having a bigger impact than it seems. A tipster at an unnamed retailer tells us they've had more HD DVD player orders canceled over the last few days than they've seen over the entire life cycle. The kicker? All of them were canceled because of the Blockbuster announcement.

Not only that, new sales of HD DVD players are nonexistent, with Blu-ray being the only things moving now.

The more tech savvy of us rent our stuff on Netflix or Blockbuster Online (which is still supporting both formats for now), but this announcement—covered in many mainstream media sources—had a big impact on people who actually rent at Blockbuster.

Any of you tipsters working at other retail outlets see something similar? Email us if you have. – Jason Chen

Thanks tipster!

[Coded-Dude]

ouch........

[Garfunkel]

yep, not quite worth it's own thread but that must hurt to see, i would hate to be Toshiba right now.