Blockbuster chooses Blu-ray: is the war over?
By Evan Blass 
posted June 17th 2007 6:51PM
posted June 17th 2007 6:51PM
In a huge blow to Toshiba, Universal, and the rest of the HD DVD devotees, rental giant Blockbuster has decided to stock only Blu-ray discs in the vast majority of its nationwide locations, although HD DVD titles will continue to be offered online and in the 250 (out of 1,450) stores that have been testing both formats since last year. Blockbuster VP Matthew Smith revealed to the AP that the decision to go with Blu-ray -- which will reportedly be announced tomorrow -- stemmed from an overwhelming customer preference for those titles in the test markets, accounting for over 70% of all HD discs rented. Interestingly enough, it seems that content -- and not price -- was the deciding factor for consumers, with Blu-ray-only hits such as the Spiderman and Pirates of the Caribbean films apparently outmatching equivalent HD DVD exclusives. While it's still a little too soon to declare Blu-ray the outright winner, this Blockbuster decision only contributes to the momentum that Sony's darling has had of late -- momentum that at this point, might be too difficult for the other guys to counter.[Via AVS Forums, thanks Simple Panda]
Who cares? Seriously, who does? I still DVD quality is perfectly fine for my eyes. I have a 42" projection TV that supports 1080i, and my mythtv box feeds it HD from free broadcasts. The quality difference between that and a DVD isn't spectacular enough to make me spend $500 on a new player.
Agree with everything you say except block buster , they will stock blu ray in stores , but will rent both online . As far as home theater versous game players , I agree all the way . $17000 worth . And do up grade every few years . And hd was first on the list . Luckily I got mine cheap , but now that I see what this can do .I will up grade this in the future. . Sometimes I think the fight is between PS3 and Xbox in these blogs. GREAT PICTURE , GREAT SOUND is what it is about
I read brochure's??? That's new to me. As far as i know your a blind moron. How can you not tell the difference between dvd and hddvd. Unless your tv is a piece of junk and then you shouldn't even be writing on here. And I got my training in Niagara Falls and the event was 4days long. And by the way blockbuster is still renting and selling both formats IN STORE and ONLINE. And in 2 days I sold 6 more HDDVD players and still no blurays. And my store is #1 in canada for HDDVD players and number 1 in Monster Cables and Monster Power. So now i hope a storm comes so your $20 wallmart surge bar doesn't do it's job and you tv blows up.
some people seem to be confused about pricing.
Blue Ray - $500 +
HD DVD - $199 +
Its just me personally (in the western U.S.) but I dont know a single person who owns a Blue Ray player. Its a big risk to take as the "Format Wars" havent been won.
My ONLY issue with Blu Ray is Sony's DOUBLE INCRYPTION that "attempts" to stop the backup copying of my collection. I am sure its just me, but I LOVE that I can "backup" any regular DVD I currently own. Sony is going to let you do this (as they are one of the biggest proponents of DRM)????
Geeks unite and pick the format that does you best, and dont just pick it because you own a PS3....lame.....
WOOOHOOOO GO Blockbuster. Blue ray is clearer and has more space. Sony knew this was going to happen. They knew blue ray was going to be better hence the Sony PS3 which is the best system on the market. You get what you pay for and the price of it will eventually fall weve seen it before. I think the idiots at paramount saying that they are going to release Transformers on HD-DVD only is a last cry for the HD-DVDs. And im almost positive that in the future they will end up releasing it on Blue Ray. There stupid but not that stupid. If you check numbers Blue ray is in higher demand and is outselling because of its quality. Plus it plays dvds as well so people who still are buying dvds there not losing anything. Not to mention it actually makes regular dvds look a little more crisp as well. The games which are on blue ray offer more A.I. with the characters in the game as well as more characters and background activity. Blue Ray will win. Another reason Transformers is doing this right now is because Microsoft sponsored the film hence the part with the X-box coming to life in the film. Once the contractual agreement is up you will see it on Blue Ray. Not to mention if they didnt want Blue ray at all they wouldnt have even released a transformers game for ps3. Makes you wanna see hmmmmmmmm.
With WalMart selling a Toshiba HD player for less than $100, I think the HD will soon be the choice of most people. Remember the Beta and VHS format war on video cassetts. Beta was thought to be the better format, but the cheaper product VHS won the war. Same with Blu-ray and HD. The cheaper will win the war