Blockbuster to focus on Blu-ray
lakes
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6762621.stmbbc news
Film rental firm Blockbuster is to rent high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray format at 1,450 US stores.
The move is viewed as a blow for the rival Toshiba-backed HD DVD format - which has been battling against the Blu-ray format, supported by Sony.
Blockbuster said that consumers have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD in the 250 stores where both were available.
The limited choice of titles in the HD DVD format was also a factor in focusing on Blu-ray, Blockbuster said.
"The consumers are sending us a message. I can't ignore what I'm seeing," Matthew Smith, senior vice president of merchandising at Blockbusters, told the Associated Press news agency.
Mr Smith added that most studios were offering films on Blu-ray, with the exception of Universal which has been supplying films on HD DVD alone.
The North American HD DVD Promotional Group said Blockbuster's move was short sighted, and had been prompted by the success of films released exclusively in the Blu-ray format in early 2007 such as Casino Royale and Spider Man.
"I think trying to make a format decision using such a short time period is really not measuring what the consumer is saying," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the group.
The HD DVD format will still be available at Blockbuster in 250 of its stores as well as via the internet.
Film rental firm Blockbuster is to rent high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray format at 1,450 US stores.
The move is viewed as a blow for the rival Toshiba-backed HD DVD format - which has been battling against the Blu-ray format, supported by Sony.
Blockbuster said that consumers have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD in the 250 stores where both were available.
The limited choice of titles in the HD DVD format was also a factor in focusing on Blu-ray, Blockbuster said.
"The consumers are sending us a message. I can't ignore what I'm seeing," Matthew Smith, senior vice president of merchandising at Blockbusters, told the Associated Press news agency.
Mr Smith added that most studios were offering films on Blu-ray, with the exception of Universal which has been supplying films on HD DVD alone.
The North American HD DVD Promotional Group said Blockbuster's move was short sighted, and had been prompted by the success of films released exclusively in the Blu-ray format in early 2007 such as Casino Royale and Spider Man.
"I think trying to make a format decision using such a short time period is really not measuring what the consumer is saying," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the group.
The HD DVD format will still be available at Blockbuster in 250 of its stores as well as via the internet.
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Comments
I think the Blockbuster decision is just a short term cash in on the PS3 buyers who may want to sample HD movies,and will have little bearing on the eventual outcome of the format war.
There are still no affordable Bluray players bar the PS3 so mass market sales are still a long way off.
But the HDDVD camp should start releasing some quality titles.
With Universal the sole HDDVD only company ,they have some real classics they could get out into the shops to help the format along
Apart from the Samsung Blu-ray player £399 that we talked about for hours on end yesterday.
Yes ,we can see everyone rushing to pay £400 for an HD player without full studio support cant we?:rolleyes:
Im not falling for your bait.
You put -
"There are still no affordable Bluray players bar the PS3 so mass market sales are still a long way off."
The Samsung Blu-ray player is £399 the same as the PS3 which you you said was affordable. Like i said im not falling for your bait. If i can cleary see what you putting and contridicting yourself, everyone else can.
I'll try to make it clear for you.
There are no affordable Bluray players available.
£399 is not affordable.
The PS3 is a games console ,not a Bluray player.
Ill repeat what you said -
"There are still no affordable Bluray players bar the PS3 so mass market sales are still a long way off."
Either you include the Samsung Blu-ray player into that or retract the statement.
No the PS3 isnt just a games console. Its an Entertainment system which is a games console AND a Blu-ray player.
To clarify.
The Samsung is not an affordable player as its £399.
Ok,I will retract that as a Bluray player the PS3 is NOT affordable.
But it IS the most attractive offering that Bluray has for the price if you take into account thats its primarily a games console.
For members of the general public the PS3 is a non starter.
As for all its hi tec wireless internet and associated features ,I think the amount of interest that has resulted from those types of features on the PSP shows that even gamers are not that into it in big numbers
Thank you.