Blockbuster supports Blu Ray exclusively

[Icarusintel]

Yes, folks, you read that right.

Blockbuster has decided to rent and sell Blu Ray movies only. I don't personally think this will be that huge of a factor to start, but it may very well help push even more people towards Blu ray, especially with recent and future price drops for hardware. As a PS3 owner, this makes me very happy, since I'd like to be able to rent movies to watch in HD.

 

[-Psy-]

Meh. I couldn't care about who wins the format war as long as there is only one format left standing.

 

[Warbie]

Agreed - this is a big deal (and one of the main reasons I picked up a PS3). On the other hand, this is shit news.

HDDVD:

Far better selection of movies: Check
Cheaper: Check
Region free: Check


Blu-ray:

Ok/poor selection of movies: Check
Expensive: Check
Region locked: Check


Once again business screws over the consumer.

 

[Asus]

I tend to agree.

As a PS3 owner, this makes me very happy, since I'd like to be able to rent movies to watch in HD.

Although they have been renting both Blu-ray and HD-DVD in 250 of their stores (and will continue to do so).

 

[Icarusintel]

Agreed - this is a big deal (and one of the main reasons I picked up a PS3). On the other hand, this is shit news.

HDDVD:

Far better selection of movies: check
Cheaper: Check
Region free: Check


Blu-ray:

ok/poor selection of movies: Check
Expensive: Check
Region locked: Check


Once again business screws over the consumer.

If Blu Ray ends up looking to dominate you can rest assured the selection of movies will expand greatly. Universal is the only holdout in the HD DVD exclusive camp, but there are rumors that won't last past the end of the year, if that long.

And hardware prices have been coming down for Blu Ray. Even the PS3 is supposed to have a holiday price drop by the end of the year.

 

[Warbie]

That's not really the point though.

Right now HDDVD has a very decent lineup with great movies on the way. It's cheaper and region free. If there was any justice it would be kicking Blu-ray's ass all over the world.

 

[-Psy-]

I hate region-locking.

 

[VirusType2]

Even if Blu Ray were to make a comeback against HD DVD that they are losing against at the moment, they'll never get rid of HD DVD. If it were to 'lose' the format war, it will eventually become an extremely cheap alternative, and eventually be really useful and cheap for PC's for movies and data storage/backup.

Not to mention HD DVD movies have the same 1080p video quality and sound quality as Blu Ray.


BTW haven't gone to blockbuster since I used to rent super Nintendo games.

Blockbuster has been going through a downsizing for the past 10 years as I can tell, their rental prices have always been high, and their competition with Netflix might have been the only thing that can save them. I've seen them close a few Blockbuster's down.

HD DVD is cheaper anyway. You can probably buy a brand new copy of a movie for the price of a few rentals at Blockbuster, plus the discs will definitely play perfectly and won't be all scratched up/skipping. Rental movies end up in terrible condition real fast.

 

[Barney Fife]

Blockbuster is closing all stores (Thanks to Hollywood Video), and will do business exclusive online, where Netflix awaits.

 

[-Psy-]

Huh? Link me.

 

[VirusType2]

Even the PS3 is supposed to have a holiday price drop by the end of the year.

Where did you hear that? From what I've heard there is no price drop in sight. They are still losing a lot of money on the PS3.

I remember rumors from a Microsoft employee that the 360 was to have a price drop before the end of the year last year. Still waiting... the price hasn't come down yet for the 360 in the US.

 

[Barney Fife]

Huh? Link me.

Get your own link.

 

[smwScott]

Get your own link.

Translation: I just made shit up.

Anyway, this is great news for me. Now I can get all the Blu-Ray movies I want through their online service that I already subscribe to.

 

[Asus]

I just noticed they are only offering Blu-ray discs in 1400 of their stores. Are there not like 8000 Blockbuster stores? Not as much market penetration as I thought at first.

 

[VirusType2]

I just noticed they are only offering Blu-ray discs in 1400 of their stores. Are there not like 8000 Blockbuster stores? Not as much market penetration as I thought at first.

Yeah, from what I read, only the new stores will stock it exclusively. Probably had to make a choice due to lack of funds. The rest of the stores (the ones that haven't been closed down) will still stock HD DVD.

 

[DreamThrall]

Hollywood Video > Blockbuster.

 

[lePobz]

DivX - Cheaper.

 

[Barney Fife]

Translation: I just made shit up.

You think that I just made this shit up or, does this shit smell so bad; you think I made it up?

You watch. BB will soon close all 8000 and so stores, and fly into the virtual world we call Internet.

 

[-Psy-]

*hands over tin-foil hat*

 

[smwScott]

You think that I just made this shit up or, does this shit smell so bad; you think I made it up?

You watch. BB will soon close all 8000 and so stores, and fly into the virtual world we call Internet.

Uh huh. Sure. I would ask for a link but it's been established you don't have one.

Yeah, from what I read, only the new stores will stock it exclusively. Probably had to make a choice due to lack of funds. The rest of the stores (the ones that haven't been closed down) will still stock HD DVD.

No ... the only Blockbuster stores stocking HD-DVD is the few that were used in the trial to decide which one to stock. These 1400 stores are the only ones that will stock any HD format, and it will be Blu-Ray. The others will have neither. The Blockbuster online service only offers Blu-Ray.

 

[Barney Fife]

Uh huh. Sure. I would ask for a link but it's been established you don't have one.

You think I don't have one or you wish I dint?


Oh! If I could only Google the darn thing my integrity would be as whole as a new born. :afro:

 

[Xendance]

I read this news on my mobile phone.

 

[Asus]

the only Blockbuster stores stocking HD-DVD is the few that were used in the trial to decide which one to stock. These 1400 stores are the only ones that will stock any HD format, and it will be Blu-Ray. The others will have neither. The Blockbuster online service only offers Blu-Ray.

Blockbuster will continue to rent HD DVD titles in the original 250 locations and online, the Dallas-based company said.

I'm confused.