HD DVD Still Alive in the U.S

[nekrosoft13]

The stocked HD DVD players and HD DVD movies in the inventory of some retailers in the U.S combined with their very low price have breathed new life into Toshiba's HD DVD format.

It is hard to believe that buyers would ever choose to purchase an HD DVD player of disc now, provided that Toshiba and Hollywood have abandoned the format since last January. However, tough economic conditions as well as aggressive price cuts have maintained the market for HD DVD players, which also perform exceptionally as standard DVD players.

The last HD DVD movie releases - which include some recent blockbusters, such as American Gangster - are currently cost as little as $10, while players can be picked up for less than $60. This has maintained some demand for the format, which continues to be supported by online retailers, smaller electronics chains and second-hand stores.

"We expected to see a huge increase in Blu-ray sales and HD DVD dying [when Blu-ray won the format war] but it just hasn't happened," said Jeff Wisot, vice-president of marketing with Buy.com, in a statement released to Financial Times.

"HD DVD sales are still very strong," he added.

Distribution Video & Audio, the largest buyer of excess video and audio inventory, has reportedly bought millions of unsold HD DVDs that were returned to the studios by big retailers. More than 1m units have been resold to online retailers and discount stores and expect to sell another 2m-3m in the run-up to Christmas.


http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=24104

[mullet]

Blu Ray movies are to damn high!!!! I have picked up some good HD DVD's for 10.00 as well.

[Bman212121]

When HD-DVD players cost less than an upconvert DVD player and the movies cost less than the DVD version, it definitely helps. Kind of funny how that works out.

[crainger]

Blu Ray movies are to damn high!!!! I have picked up some good HD DVD's for 10.00 as well.

Same here. Beagle and I grabbed 20-30 HD DVDs at 10.00 each. The players however, any place that actually has stock of them is still charging full price. ::(:

[mullet]

I knew once Blu-Ray won they were gonna jack all there prices. Does anyone know where is the best place to get cheap Blu-Ray movies or is it non existent.

[nekrosoft13]

netflix, why buy them.

i stoped collecting movies, went through a lot of VHS, then started collecting DVDs. no more. no more money waisting.

[six_storm]

If Blu-Ray movies would drop down to $10-$15, BR sales would skyrocket. $30 is just ridiculous unless you are buying some Ultra Edition with 500+ features.

[Monolyth]

If Blu-Ray movies would drop down to $10-$15, BR sales would skyrocket. $30 is just ridiculous unless you are buying some Ultra Edition with 500+ features.

Aye prices are way too high, I have a list that I only buy when they go on sale somewhere, I'm starting to think about going to netflix though, their selection is quite nice and the idea of collecting loses its luster if formats change every 5 years and you have to keep re-buying the same movies.

IMHO the features are also part of the problem. HD DVD's you just pop in and the movie starts. No stupid menu's, transitions, etc. And I loved the in-movie menu. I've only seen a couple Blu-Ray's follow this.

Now we get 15 minute previews, commercials, GAH!

[npras42]

If Blu-Ray movies would drop down to $10-$15, BR sales would skyrocket. $30 is just ridiculous unless you are buying some Ultra Edition with 500+ features.

I agree. I'm amazed at these business decisions sometimes. They could take a hit on price like they do with games consoles and make the films cheaper and just take over the market. Surely in the long term the video business is a better bet than the console business for profit making?

I dunno. I don't know the ins-and-outs of the finances involved so I could be totally wrong.

[|JuiceZ|]

I agree. I'm amazed at these business decisions sometimes. They could take a hit on price like they do with games consoles and make the films cheaper and just take over the market. Surely in the long term the video business is a better bet than the console business for profit making?

I dunno. I don't know the ins-and-outs of the finances involved so I could be totally wrong.

I'm with you on that man. BR prices frustrate me to death. Netflix is the way to go nowadays, gone are the days of building big movie collections its a waste of money because media is so easily accessible in this day and age. We only buy BR when its on a sale and its a movie we really love. Studios are dumb if they think consumers are gonna pay $30/disc for old movies that have already been re re re re released again with the same content :rolleyes:

[nekrosoft13]

If Blu-Ray movies would drop down to $10-$15, BR sales would skyrocket. $30 is just ridiculous unless you are buying some Ultra Edition with 500+ features.

i never watch any of that extra crap, give me just a movie for less then half the price

[crainger]

I'm only interested in special features on pr0noes.

[NaitoSan]

I'm amazed some of you don't know how to shop around for cheapest Blu-ray movies. Amazon.com sells them really cheap if you keep checking and also other sellers behind Amazon sells (blu-ray boxset.com or something I think) them for like less than $20 or so. Also go to Blu-ray.com forum, some sellers have movies for pretty cheap also they have thread on hot deals. That's where I check there often. It saved me a lot of $$$.

I got several movies for $17 or less. I got Starship Trooper Blu-ray for $12 new. :) You just gotta keep checking because prices changes all of the time. Last time at Tower.com they were selling Dark City Director's Cut for Blu-ray for $10! I missed it. :(

[evilchris]

Netflix still rents HD DVD. You can't add it to your account, but if you already had it added before it lost they will still send you the HD DVD movies they have. Children of Men etc isn't on BD yet so you can get it that way.

[XDanger]

Same here. Beagle and I grabbed 20-30 HD DVDs at 10.00 each. The players however, any place that actually has stock of them is still charging full price. ::(:
360 Drives are cheap on ebay, Not as cheap as they were when it lost though SELL SELL SELL!!! lol