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Blockbuster backs Blu-ray - HD DVD on the ropes?
iTWire ^ | Monday, 18 June 2007 | Adam Turner

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.


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: blockbuster; bluray; boycottviacom; cbs; hddvd; highdefinition; hitech; media; technology; viacom
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Sony has a history of coming out with a competing technology that is better but doesn’t make it due to licensing greed. VHS vs. Beta, Audio Cassette vs 4-track cartridge (anyone even remember the 4 track. I bought one because it was Sony, it died in 2 years (late 60s).)
The porn industry standardized on VHS and Beta died. They are backing the HD-DVD over of the Blue-Ray. Blockbuster has clout that wasn’t there with VHS vs. Beta. I wonder who will win.


21 posted on 06/18/2007 4:01:01 AM PDT by BuffaloJack
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Yeah, and Circuit City backs DivX


22 posted on 06/18/2007 4:02:24 AM PDT by sportutegrl
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To: Carbonsteel

Don’t worry, all Blu-ray players will play standard DVD’s.

The only advantage hddvd has is price for now, and only for the hardware. The discs are the same.

The thing is, the Blu-ray players have dropped by half in just 1 year in price. hddvd has dropped too, but Blu-ray is always pretty close behind.


23 posted on 06/18/2007 4:28:28 AM PDT by Tolsti
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To: conservativeinferno

I suggest you look at the BluRay consortium membership. There are dozens involved. HDDVD has miscrosatan and Toshiba and Universal.

LLS


24 posted on 06/18/2007 4:29:24 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
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To: puroresu

Yes, and most will upconvert them to 1080i, via HDMI interface.

LLS


25 posted on 06/18/2007 4:30:36 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
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To: LibLieSlayer

That’s what I don’t get.. People think Blu-ray is just Sony.

It’s a consortium much like DVD and CD’s were. The vast majority supports Blu-ray now, electronics firms and the movie studios.

I have the Xbox360 hddvd player, and I’m not such a fan of it. I really prefer my PS3.


26 posted on 06/18/2007 4:31:43 AM PDT by Tolsti
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To: LibLieSlayer

The PS3 will now upconvert standard blu-ray to 1080p.

Still looks near unwatchable compared to real Blu-ray movies on my 56” DLP though.


27 posted on 06/18/2007 4:32:29 AM PDT by Tolsti
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To: conservativeinferno

Maybe. But, most of the best movie titles are coming out on Blu-Ray. I say this as someone who has an HD-DVD player.


28 posted on 06/18/2007 4:34:15 AM PDT by Doohickey (Giuliani: Brokeback Republican)
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To: razorback-bert

Get a new remote. You’ll like the DVR.


29 posted on 06/18/2007 4:35:21 AM PDT by Doohickey (Giuliani: Brokeback Republican)
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To: MediaMole

I did the same thing. I figured it was a good way to have my cake and eat it too. I get an HD media format with minimal investment while I wait for a winner.


30 posted on 06/18/2007 4:37:14 AM PDT by Doohickey (Giuliani: Brokeback Republican)
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To: Tolsti

PS3 is mostly a game machine that does a stellar job of playing BD’s. My Pioneer and friends Sony BD players play DVD upconverted as well as a $5000.00 Denon or my $1700.00 Elite Pioneer DVD player.

LLS


31 posted on 06/18/2007 5:03:17 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
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To: Tolsti

PS3 has horsepower. I’ll bet before it is over, you get firmware that will do DVD justice also.

LLS


32 posted on 06/18/2007 5:04:32 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
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To: LibLieSlayer

It’s not that. It already does good for a regular DVD player. It’s just that 2megapixel 1080p looks a whole lot better than 500 thousand pixels 480p.


33 posted on 06/18/2007 5:14:50 AM PDT by Tolsti
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To: Carbonsteel
You’re right. Standalone HD-DVD prices are about $250 right now and you get one of the best DVD up-converters out there for that price.
34 posted on 06/18/2007 5:17:42 AM PDT by Varda
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To: Varda

The MSRP of the HD A2 as of 6/18/07 at 8:00 AM is once again $399. This is only $100 less than the new Blu-ray S300 which streets today.


35 posted on 06/18/2007 5:21:30 AM PDT by Tolsti
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To: rdb3; chance33_98; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; PenguinWry; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; Salo; Bobsat; ..

36 posted on 06/18/2007 5:21:43 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Of course it’s being reported on another web site that Sony struck a deal with Blockbuster. Exclusivity deals are common business deals and I’m not surprised Blockbuster would go for it. These are the same guys who wouldn’t stock DVD for the longest time.
37 posted on 06/18/2007 5:27:13 AM PDT by Varda
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To: Tolsti

And who pays MSRP?


38 posted on 06/18/2007 5:28:32 AM PDT by Varda
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To: capitalist229
My old 19" B&W TV I bought in 1981 just died so I upgraded to a 20" color model for less than half I paid in 1981.

Why do these threads attract so many "I'm a Luddite and proud of it!" type posts? ;)

39 posted on 06/18/2007 5:30:40 AM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ("Wise men don't need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: LibLieSlayer

HDMI should be boycotted, unless you want your system hobbled by DRM.


40 posted on 06/18/2007 5:30:50 AM PDT by Mark was here (Hard work never killed anyone, but why take the chance?)
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