Blockbuster To Push Blu-ray Starting This July

[msmith855]

I finally broke down and got an HD-A2 with the current promotion from Toshiba making it an affordable $300. But I did so not only because of the price but because after reading a LOT of articles on the format war it seemed that in every aspect (other than generic capacity) it was the more mature format.

Having said that, I knew in buying it that I was taking a risk. With PS3 in the mix, HD-DVD would never have a clear victory like VHS did over Betamax. My hope though, is that the two can exist peacefully in the same marketplace. The camps on both sides seem to have almost a religious following and it's unlikely either will go down quietly. In the gaming industry most titles are released on the three major formats and everyone seems to have accepted that. Why does this have to be any different?

In the end, only the consumers lose no matter what side you go with.

[mcraghead]

Originally Posted by pchoothesa

Why couldn't Blockbuster follow good example of NetFlix. Netflix offers both formats to their members, I would watch both only if I had a player that can play Blu-ray and HD DVD. If blockbuster chose to leave out HD DVDs they also leave out half of the market share.

No one goes to Blockbuster anymore.

If I remember correctly Blockbuster will still offer HD-DVD to their online subscribers, so in that situation they are still the same, so to speak. That doesn't take into account how many HD-DVD titles they will offer or how many of each title they will have available.

Netflix isn't brick-and-mortar, so in that situation it's an apples to oranges comparison.

Michael K. Craghead

[Westcoaster]

Originally Posted by deacongreg

Your right, BlockBuster will have some explaining to do. But, Jerry, you know where I stand on this. We have consumers that invested money, some thousands of dollars on HDTV. Then, for each ones individual reasons, they chose either Blu - Ray, or HD - DVD for a player. Two formats, consumers on two different sides once again.
We saw what has happened with DVD - A, and SACD. BlockBuster made its choice, kudos for making one. Now, we will see.

Well, they haven't really made a choice, yet.

They continue to carry HD-DVD and Blu-Ray at many stores, my local one included.

I for one like the idea of choice, especially from a rental company, they should not be the one to decide which format should prevail.

[kennyt]

I went to my local BB the other day and found a whopping 20-30 titles on the Blu-ray rack... Gladly I found all of them except the weakest of films out!!!!

Good to see some local folks have embraced the new format(s)!

I for one buy many from Amazon as they are super cheap and rent from Netflix for the ones I don't know if I want.

[mcraghead]

Originally Posted by Westcoaster

Well, they haven't really made a choice, yet.

They continue to carry HD-DVD and Blu-Ray at many stores, my local one included.

I for one like the idea of choice, especially from a rental company, they should not be the one to decide which format should prevail.

Still carrying HD-DVD could have something to do with whether it's a corporate or franchise store. Many, many years ago when I worked at BB they often gave the franchises a bit of leeway as to how they wanted to run their stores. The corporate store had to all march to the same beat. Then again it could be that the aren't trying to get rid of what they already have. Just two possible options.

[Westcoaster]

Originally Posted by mcraghead

Still carrying HD-DVD could have something to do with whether it's a corporate or franchise store. Many, many years ago when I worked at BB they often gave the franchises a bit of leeway as to how they wanted to run their stores. The corporate store had to all march to the same beat. Then again it could be that the aren't trying to get rid of what they already have. Just two possible options.

Not sure of the 'type' of store they are, but I do know that they list all of the 'test' stores on the Canadian website that carry both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD's.

I was told in response to an email I sent to corporate head office that for the time being they would continue to carry the HD-DVD's at these stores to try and determine the demand for the different formats.