Blockbuster Prefers Blu-Ray

Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:53AM EDT

See Comments (2)

This format war is a real nuisance. Why can't there be a clear winner already? I have both formats thanks to the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 HD-DVD player, but in order to enjoy the latest high-definition movie, I have to either purchase the $30 high-def disc or rent it at the local Blockbuster. The video rental store currently offers both formats, but today they've announced their preference for Blu-Ray leaving HD-DVD fans out in the cold.

In a press release, Blockbuster said 1,700 stores will be carrying more than 170 titles in Blu-ray format by mid-July, and continue to add new titles in this format as they're released. That means HD-DVD is out of the picture unless you rent them online or live close to one of the original 250 Blockbusters that currently offers both formats. Their decision was based on customer trends, "Blu-ray rentals are significantly outpacing HD-DVD rentals," said the company.  

I personally think it's too early for them to decide which format to carry, and I think they do too, "While it is still too early to say which high-definition format will become the industry standard, we will continue to closely monitor customer rental patterns both at our stores and online, so we can adjust our inventory mix accordingly and ensure that Blockbuster is offering customers the most convenient access to the movies they want, in the format they want." At least they're open to bringing HD-DVD back, if the trend changes.

Honestly, I think this decision puts HD-DVD fans at a disadvantage, who will now have to purchase expensive movies in order to enjoy new releases.

Does this mean Blu-Ray is winning the format war? Slightly. In a recent post, Ben says Nielsen VideoScan reported that 844,00 Blu-Ray discs have been sold since their introduction to the market, compared to 708,600 HD-DVD discs. The competition is tight, and will only get tighter now that Sony is talking about price cuts on the Playstation 3.

What's your personal format preference and why? Better picture quality, cheaper equipment, higher capacity? Sound off in the comments below.

Related:
Blu-ray and HD-DVD: What You Need to Know
Xbox 360's HD-DVD Versus PlayStation 3's Blu-ray

 

Top 5 Posts

Comments on Blockbuster Prefers Blu-Ray

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 1 Posted by johncatral on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think this will be a very crushing blow to HD-DVD. Blockbuster is a very well known chain that people trust when it comes to renting movies. I think Blu-Ray is closer to beoming the standard Hi-Def format.

  • 2 Posted by bod.hi15 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't understand the logic of this move: if blockbuster drops support of HD-DVD, won't the company lose money from HD-DVD consumers.

More Posts: 1

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.