View Poll Results: POLL: Which DVD format will become the standard?
HD-DVD/AOD 376 57.06%
Blu-Ray 259 39.30%
EVD 0 0%
FVD 2 0.30%
Other 22 3.34%
The public is speaking. History tells us that the lower cost one wins.
Posted on 06/17/2007 10:29:06 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
In another blow to HD DVD, the giant Blockbuster video rental chain has thrown its weight behind Blu-ray in the fight to see which format is the high definition successor to the humble DVD.
After renting Blu-ray and HD DVD titles in 250 stores since late last year, Blockbuster has decide to stock only Blu-ray in its other 1250 US stores. Customers were choosing Blu-ray titles more than 70 percent of the time, reports Associated Press via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
The release of Sony's Blu-ray-enabled PlayStation 3 games console was also a factor in the decision, said Blockbuster senior vice president of merchandising Matthew Smith. Smith's comments comes after Microsoft conceded that the Xbox 360 games console may eventually support Blu-ray.
While Blockbuster is following market trends, its backing of Blu-ray as the format winner is possible a self-fulfilling prophesy - with other retailers likely to follow Blockbuster's lead. Blu-ray also has some heavy-hitting backers in Australia, with entertainment retail chain JB Hi-Fi declaring it will only stock Blu-ray.
It's true that Blu-ray players are more expensive than their HD DVD counterparts, but at this point I don't think price is a factor. Early adopters aren't too concerned about price tags. In 12 months time when prices fall and the tag becomes important, it will probably already be too late for HD DVD.
Things are staring to look grim for HD DVD, but the format war could drag on due to the release of dual format Blu-ray/HD DVD players from the likes of Samsung and LG. While this is might seem to be a good thing, it's just going to delay mass adoption of one format and thus stop hardware and movie prices falling. Blu-ray v HD DVD is a battle to the death, and the sooner one dies the better off consumers will be.
HDMI should be boycotted, unless you want your system hobbled by DRM.
The key is getting the marketplace to force Universal to give in and start supporting Blu-Ray. Then it’s all over for HD-DVD as a video format, though it may persist for many years as a viable data storage format.
Nobody, but again, when they’re both starting within $100, that’s about what you’ll find on the street.
They don’t call that web site Digital “Blu” Bits for nothing.
On the street prices are coming down for both formats. IMO $399 is still too high. Most people don’t want to pay more than about $150 for a DVD player, so I think HD DVD is still a little high. I suspect this format war is going to be long and drawn out. Neither format is selling as well as some hoped. I thought this would take years for the market to develop and the formats are doing about as well as I guessed a year ago.
HDTV in general is a high end market for the next 2-3 years. I’m not sure a $100 difference will make a bit of difference (and it hasn’t) in this case. It’s about where the movies are and where the capacity is.
(I'm still waiting for one my old regular tvs to die so I can get a flat tv)
They are both high definition video formats. They both play regular DVD’s as well.
The main difference is 6x the resolution over regular DVD and improved high-definition sound.
I will be buy HD-DVD. It is not dead yet.
Can I ask why? You’ll have less movies and a far more uncertain future with hd dvd. The prices aren’t that different. Do you just want to support the underdog?
Just like VHS, cost.
The movies cost about the same. At worst you’ll have a $100 upfront difference.
Isn’t it worth paying another $100 up front for something that’ll last longer and have more movies?
I’m not talking about the movies. It’s the hardware.
It’s a standard not a monopoly. Think Edison’s direct current vs. Westinghouse/Tesla’s alternating current.
Ok, well for $100 less you can get a paperweight..
I’d invest the extra for something that’ll last.
And why buy either if you don’t care about movies to watch on them?
My money says Sony will do everything necessary to win the Blu-Ray vs HD-Dvd war.
A loss in this war would shake consumer confidence in Sony for decades.
LLS
I recall that Circuit City fired all it's "experienced" employees....that could explain the decision.
It is nice to not have to go get them or return them (always late too.)
View Poll Results: POLL: Which DVD format will become the standard?
HD-DVD/AOD 376 57.06%
Blu-Ray 259 39.30%
EVD 0 0%
FVD 2 0.30%
Other 22 3.34%
The public is speaking. History tells us that the lower cost one wins.
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