Blockbuster to withdrawn HD-DVD and expand Blu-ray

AthlonXP1800 · 06-17-07, 10:39 PM

Today Blockbuster expect to make an announcement that Blu-ray is the HD format to replace DVD, they will expanding Blu-ray titles from next month and available to rent in Blockbuster's 1,450 stores.

More than 70% of Blockbuster customers rented Blu-ray titles over HD-DVD since late last year.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/entertainment/ci_6164939

This is the first massive defeat for HD-DVD. Take a look at DVDEmpire Hi-Def sales figures, Blu-ray now command 73% of Hi-Def sales. I suppose other video rental chains and retailers could quick follow suit with Blockbuster to announce withdrawn HD-DVD soon in the same footstep when video rentals and retailers announced Betamax withdrawn in around 1986 when VHS command 70% of video rentals.

Look like Hi-Def format war will be over this year sooner than people thought.

**nrdstrm** · 06-17-07, 10:45 PM

I hope so...Not because I prefer one to the other, but I bought a PS3...

So if BR wins, that would be a + for me purchasing the PS3. On the other hand, HD DVD players are cheap enough now that I could just go buy one.

kev13dd · 06-18-07, 01:15 AM

I do see this as a major major blow. So many people are going to online rentals though, and since Blockbuster will keep HD-DVD online then maybe it can still survive? Hopefully one format wins just so we'll have one format. If Blueray is ganna be it... eh

K

superklye · 06-18-07, 06:53 AM

Blockbuster is still around?

ENU291 · 06-18-07, 07:50 AM

So how did Blockbuster make this decision? Did they just study the last 6 months of HD movie rentals? It makes absolutely no sense to pull the plug on HD-DVD movies by judging just 6 months of rental activity. Who the hell is running this operation?

Bman212121 · 06-18-07, 09:00 AM

I helped contribute to that.

I probably already rented 5 or 10 BR from them. Awesome news that they are going to bring them to the store.

FYI: The article doesn't say they are pulling out on HD-DVD, but they are just expanding their BR collection first since it is the most rented. So you can still get HD-DVD from them.

superklye · 06-18-07, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bman212121

I helped contribute to that.

I probably already rented 5 or 10 BR from them. Awesome news that they are going to bring them to the store.

FYI: The article doesn't say they are pulling out on HD-DVD, but they are just expanding their BR collection first since it is the most rented. So you can still get HD-DVD from them.

Everything Athlon says is slanted FUD.

superklye · 06-18-07, 10:55 AM

Oh, and rather than this being a huge blow to HD DVD, I think it's probably going to be an even bigger blow to Blockbuster.

I wouldn't spend $800 on a player so I could rent the format Blockbuster carries. I'd spend $20/mo and go to Netflicks if it was that important.

nopp0x00 · 06-18-07, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superklye

Oh, and rather than this being a huge blow to HD DVD, I think it's probably going to be an even bigger blow to Blockbuster.

I wouldn't spend $800 on a player so I could rent the format Blockbuster carries. I'd spend $20/mo and go to Netflicks if it was that important.

$800? Try 499, or cheaper on Ebay for a PS3, or 699 if you need Wi-Fi and the built-in memory card reader and the larger hard drive.

tornadog · 06-18-07, 11:32 AM

I am glad to hear this, the guy at my local blockbuster had told me this way back in January and I dismissed it as just FUD, but now I must say he was smart!!!

Its kinda ominous that I should see this post today. The whole morning I was browsing the deal sites to find a good deal on a 360 hd dvd so I can sell off my ps3, and get a second LCD TV for my bedroom

Ancient · 06-18-07, 11:41 AM

Blockbuster is willing to forego 30% of its hi-def business to cater to a single hi-def format? Something doesn't smell right about this. I suspect this might have less to do with the customer and more to do with BB being offered special pricing on their BD purchases as an incentive to drop HD-DVD.

I don't have any proof of that but I can't see BB completely dropping 30% of the hi-def revenue. Seems like a stupid business decision.

superklye · 06-18-07, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nopp0x00

$800? Try 499, or cheaper on Ebay for a PS3, or 699 if you need Wi-Fi and the built-in memory card reader and the larger hard drive.

Um...I'm talking about high-end AV equipment, not a children's toy that happens to play BD movies.

06-17-07, 10:39 PM	#1
AthlonXP1800 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4,352	Blockbuster to withdrawn HD-DVD and expand Blu-ray Today Blockbuster expect to make an announcement that Blu-ray is the HD format to replace DVD, they will expanding Blu-ray titles from next month and available to rent in Blockbuster's 1,450 stores. More than 70% of Blockbuster customers rented Blu-ray titles over HD-DVD since late last year. http://www.elpasotimes.com/entertainment/ci_6164939 This is the first massive defeat for HD-DVD. Take a look at DVDEmpire Hi-Def sales figures, Blu-ray now command 73% of Hi-Def sales. I suppose other video rental chains and retailers could quick follow suit with Blockbuster to announce withdrawn HD-DVD soon in the same footstep when video rentals and retailers announced Betamax withdrawn in around 1986 when VHS command 70% of video rentals. Look like Hi-Def format war will be over this year sooner than people thought. __________________ Intel Core i7 3770K, Corsair H80 liquid cooler with Noctua S12-1200 fan, ASUS P8Z77V with UEFI 1606, 16GB Samsung Green 30nm DDR3-RAM, Pioneer DVR-217DBK 22x DVD-RW, Corsair AX850 PSU, Western Digital 2TB SATA3 hard drive, Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic, CanonScan N650U scanner, Microsoft Internet Keyboard, ASDA Wheel Mouse Optical, Sirus's 2 3D speakers, 32inch Sharp LC32LE600 LED TV, EVGA Geforce GTX 670 SC 4GB with Geforce 306.23 driver, 30Mb broadband Virgin Media VMDG480 Super Hub, Aspire Xplorer Midi Tower, Windows 8 Pro 64bit.

06-17-07, 10:45 PM	#2
nrdstrm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Staples Center Posts: 1,677	Re: Blockbuster to withdrawn HD-DVD and expand Blu-ray I hope so...Not because I prefer one to the other, but I bought a PS3... So if BR wins, that would be a + for me purchasing the PS3. On the other hand, HD DVD players are cheap enough now that I could just go buy one. __________________ On Any Given Sunday!

06-18-07, 06:53 AM	#4
superklye Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MKE Posts: 13,629	Re: Blockbuster to withdrawn HD-DVD and expand Blu-ray Blockbuster is still around?

06-18-07, 09:00 AM	#6
Bman212121 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,726	Re: Blockbuster to withdrawn HD-DVD and expand Blu-ray I helped contribute to that. I probably already rented 5 or 10 BR from them. Awesome news that they are going to bring them to the store. FYI: The article doesn't say they are pulling out on HD-DVD, but they are just expanding their BR collection first since it is the most rented. So you can still get HD-DVD from them.

06-18-07, 10:55 AM	#8
superklye Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MKE Posts: 13,629	Re: Blockbuster to withdrawn HD-DVD and expand Blu-ray Oh, and rather than this being a huge blow to HD DVD, I think it's probably going to be an even bigger blow to Blockbuster. I wouldn't spend $800 on a player so I could rent the format Blockbuster carries. I'd spend $20/mo and go to Netflicks if it was that important.

06-18-07, 11:32 AM	#10
tornadog Keeper of the Faith Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,446	Re: Blockbuster to withdrawn HD-DVD and expand Blu-ray I am glad to hear this, the guy at my local blockbuster had told me this way back in January and I dismissed it as just FUD, but now I must say he was smart!!! Its kinda ominous that I should see this post today. The whole morning I was browsing the deal sites to find a good deal on a 360 hd dvd so I can sell off my ps3, and get a second LCD TV for my bedroom __________________ i7 950 @ 4.2Ghz w/ Venomous-X, Asus Sabertooth x58, 8gb DDR3 GSkill 1600Mhz,MSI N670 PE, Win 7 Ult. x64, Samsung PN50C7000, Pioneer VSX 920-K, Polk Monitor 5.0 Speakers, Bic H100 Sub

06-18-07, 11:41 AM	#11
Ancient Occasional User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Too far from the beach Posts: 619	Re: Blockbuster to withdrawn HD-DVD and expand Blu-ray Blockbuster is willing to forego 30% of its hi-def business to cater to a single hi-def format? Something doesn't smell right about this. I suspect this might have less to do with the customer and more to do with BB being offered special pricing on their BD purchases as an incentive to drop HD-DVD. I don't have any proof of that but I can't see BB completely dropping 30% of the hi-def revenue. Seems like a stupid business decision. __________________ "You know the difference between cannibals and liberals? Cannibals only eat their enemies."