CHUD.com Community › Forums › DVD, HOME THEATER, & GADGETS › DVD General Discussion › Blockbuster chooses Blu-Ray over HD-DVD.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Blockbuster chooses Blu-Ray over HD-DVD.

post #1 of 15
6/18/07 at 9:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Blockbuster will today announce plans to strongly back the Blu-ray high definition format at the expense of HD DVD. From next month 1,450 stores will stock Blu-ray titles only.

ImageSince late last year Blockbuster has been renting Blu-ray and HD DVD movies in 250 stores. However, Matthew Smith, senior vice president of merchandising at Blockbuster, told The Associated Press that the company couldn’t ignore the popularity of Blu-ray, which consumers have been favoring at a rate of 7:3, and that the company was developing its strategy accordingly.
http://www.gametab.com/news/938370/
Reply
post #2 of 15
6/18/07 at 11:59am
Does anybody still go to Blockbuster?
Reply
post #3 of 15
6/18/07 at 12:03pm
Just Ripoll.
Reply
post #4 of 15
6/18/07 at 12:06pm
I do because I'm in their Total Access service and there is a location down the street that I pass on my way to work.
Reply
post #5 of 15
6/18/07 at 12:10pm
I have a PS3 so it should be obvious which format I prefer. However, one has to wonder how much of an impact this will really have, if any. Anyone who has either format should be knowledgeable enough to avoid Blockbuster altogether.
Reply
post #6 of 15
6/18/07 at 12:15pm
Thread Starter 
I still go to BB once in a while, although that's mainly because of convenience (they have a store right around the corner from me).
Reply
post #7 of 15
6/18/07 at 12:26pm
Isn't their Netflix-like service becoming popular? That could have an impact.
Reply
post #8 of 15
6/18/07 at 12:33pm
Blockbuster Access has about 3 million customers (Netflix has 7 million).

Just by sheer numbers and that BB has grown its online by 33% since the beginning of the year, this can only help get Blu-Ray into the mainstream.
Reply
post #9 of 15
6/18/07 at 12:42pm
But Blockbuster still rents HDDVD online, no?
Reply
post #10 of 15
6/18/07 at 1:12pm
I can't speak for the rest of the country, but I haven't set foot in a Blockbuster since I rented The Devil's Advocate on April 5th, 1998.
Reply
post #11 of 15
6/18/07 at 1:54pm
This is interesting news. From a PR standpoint it is a huge win for Blu-Ray and Sony. Lots of people who don't know much about the formats or just read the news will hear this and think it's a big deal. That alone makes it a big plus for Sony and Blu-Ray camp. Kudos to them for a smart, smart move.

However, Blockbuster is a dinosaur. Like many others on these boards and elsewhere I haven't stepped foot in a BB in years. Hell, it's probably been close to 8-10 years now. That's a long time. Like 7 million others I have gone to NetFlix and would never consider changing back.

I honestly don't think this will drive many more purchases of new Blu-Ray players. Sure, the PS3 owners may pick up a flick while renting games at BB. But is Blockbuster carrying Blu-Ray enough for a casual fan to pick up a $500 player? Doubt it. Until prices of players and movies drop a bit, the HD format war will remain a war of early adopters and/or those with a lot of extra income. I would bet that many of those folks are Netflix subscribers or guys who like to buy and not rent movies.
Reply
post #12 of 15
6/18/07 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom = $1.05
But Blockbuster still rents HDDVD online, no?
It still rents both formats online.
Reply
post #13 of 15
6/19/07 at 12:50am
I wonder if this has something to do with The Weinstein Co. Don't they use Blu-Ray?
Reply
post #14 of 15
6/20/07 at 4:19am
No, oddly enough the Weinstein Company seems to be Hd DVD exclusive. And Blockbuster exclusive.

Someone probably feels kinda stupid right now.
Reply
post #15 of 15
6/20/07 at 4:47am
I havent used a Blockbuster since the 90's when I recieved a notice from blockbuster sayinhg if I did not pay the (months old) $2.50 late fee I would be sent to collections.

I wrote corp a nasty letter and they removed the charge and sent me like 12 free rental passes, I thru them out. Hollywood Video 4-life! (well Netflix now)

That being said this cant be good for HD-DVD or Harry.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: DVD General Discussion
CHUD.com Community › Forums › DVD, HOME THEATER, & GADGETS › DVD General Discussion › Blockbuster chooses Blu-Ray over HD-DVD.