CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 11:57 am**

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6762621.stm

Blockbuster to focus on Blu-ray

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.

While I think that Blockbuster investing in Blu-Ray may cause some significant change, I'm not sure if that'll actually be a deciding factor yet. Anyway, discuss.

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:19 pm**

HD loooooooses!! And yet, due to that whole porn issue about HD going to have some and Blu Ray not, looks like they are still in the lead. Interesting too, how some movies have come out on both formats...

Personally, I have YET to see either Blu Ray or HD, though I will prob in a month when my guy picks up his 300 on Blu Ray. Watch how even Universal will move over...

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:29 pm**

I'm personally not touching either of them until a few years after one of them is stabilized. I also don't even own an HD-TV yet.

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:33 pm**

I don't give a porcelain rat's butt about HD DVD or Blu-Ray. This format war is totally lame. I mean, I don't even have an HDTV either...

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:49 pm**

I have both a hd dvd and a blueray. *the ps3 and the 360* My impression is that the blueray got a bit better quality, but it also has a much higher price.

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:50 pm**

Something tells me they just did it for alliteration purposes. XD

Blockbuster carries Blu-Ray!

Anyways, I'm not interested. XD I'll stick with good ol' DVDs on my normal television screens and DVD players, thanks. XD

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:32 pm**

Guess I'm "siding" with Blu Ray only because I have the chance to actually watch them with the PS3. I have looked to see what special features they even have and really, they come with bare basics for alot, which sucks (I'm a fan of things like "the making of" and a decent amount of extra footage, alternate endings, etc). I have hardly even had a chance to update my VHSs so my thought it "well might as well go for Blu Ray with the best quality possible" even though the list of movies are small, but growing. Either than the slightly better quality pro, I think my favorite part is how SKINNY the disks are! 2 make up one DVD and that's saving alot of shelf space (too bad PS3 games aren't the same :/) Still the cons of a slightly higher price (although heck, DVDs are still too much for new releases, methinks) and very little bonus features :/ I think they'll get better though^^

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:09 pm**

I think the price of DVDs depends on where you shop. Some places sell new releases for like 15 bucks. Should something new come out that I actually want to buy, I usually just wait a little while for the price to go down...doesn't take long.

PostPosted: **Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:06 pm**

ShiroiHikari wrote:I think the price of DVDs depends on where you shop. Some places sell new releases for like 15 bucks.

Wow I wonder where that would be? In Canada, releases go for between $23-$25ish (so about 22-24 USD) and it takes around several months to almost a year for them to go down to around 15. And yeah... basically this goes for any store that sells a new release. Except Blockbuster. With already extremely expensive rentals with some blah policies, their DVDs are around $28 each >_< Anyone else have that too?

CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Blockbuster sides with Blu-Ray

Blockbuster sides with Blu-Ray