Netflix Goes the Blu-ray Way

Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:22AM EST

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The movies-by-mail giant says that from now on, it will only buy Blu-ray discs, and that it expects to "phase out" its inventory of HD DVD movies by the end of the year. Talk about a nail in the coffin.

In a press release, Netflix says that it will keep renting out HD DVD movies "until the discs' natural life cycle takes them out of circulation in the coming months." The statement goes on to say that the industry has "picked a winner" in the format war, and that "focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers" who want HD movies.

The news is the harshest blow for HD DVD since Warner Brothers announced it was jumping ship and going exclusively with Blu-ray. It's sure to have a chilling effect on already dwindling HD DVD player sales, and while Netflix still has a few hundred HD DVD titles for rent, HD DVD viewers will eventually be left with Blockbuster (which has by-mail HD DVD titles for rent) and local video stores (which may or may not have HD DVD movies on their shelves). Indeed, I've been renting my share of HD DVDs from Netflix, and I have several upcoming titles in my "Saved" queue; now it looks like I'll have to rent "I Am Legend" somewhere else—or just get the DVD version, until I give in and get a Blu-ray player myself.

OK, HD DVD fans, what's your take on Netflix's decision? And for those of you on the fence, how does the Netflix news factor into your decision?

Related:
Press release

Comments on Netflix Goes the Blu-ray Way

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  • 6 Posted by officerdebra on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    before reading any other comments and reacting only on the Netflix news.....it's blu-ray for me.

  • 7 Posted by jen122584 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't see how its a choice by the consumers of what to buy. All of the movie production companies and movie rental stores have picked sides. With all of the movie companies going blu-ray what sense would it make for anybody to buy a hd player if all the movies will be comming out in blu-ray only now. And the people who bought HD players (including me with a xbox 360 hd player) will be stuck with a player for nothing basically. I agree that blu-ray is better since they don't scratch as easily but then again its nicer to be able to have dual sided discs so that you can watch the movie on a regular dvd player if you don't have a hd player in every room of your house.

  • 9 Posted by danbfree on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    HD DVD was the natural progression of the DVD format... It is much easier to burn/produce and is NOT that much inferior to Blu-Ray at all. Sony simply used it's financial might to win the battle. They refused to agree on a format with everyone else so they simply could charge all the royalties they want. Sounds like a monopoly to me. They weren't content in overcharging consumers for their AV products, they feel they have to control the entire experience. Sad.

  • 10 Posted by danbfree on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    " agree that blu-ray is better since they don't scratch as easily..." Where did you hear that? it's actually the other way around. Blu Ray disks have a higher chance of becoming unplayable if scratched.

  • 11 Posted by dvannatta on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    It is sad to see that the HD-DVD has lost the war. I bought a HD-DVD because it was HD and was WAY cheaper than Blu-Ray. However, as someone who chose Betamax over VHS at first and then later jumped on the Laserdisc band wagon only to be kicked off later...I guess I have a habit of choosing the losing side. I just hope that when Blu-Ray is proclaimed the eventual winner of the war, that we don't see movie prices start to climb because there isn't any more competition.

  • 12 Posted by c_barry_run on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sony has too much power in the entertainment industry.

  • 13 Posted by galvangil on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well I haven't bought an HD -DVD player, nor do I have an HD TV, I can't afford one, I have 2 TV's at home, one 36" and one 40". They are both SANYO and have a great picture. I realize that I'll have to break down and buy an HD model eventually. Are there going to be any "converters" that will allow me tu still use my regular t.v.? Thanks, Gil. P.S. By the way, I used to have a Beta as well. I have a Sansui 10" reel to reel recorder/player that sounds real good, interested anyone?

  • 14 Posted by craiginnj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just got an email from Netflix saying "Toward the end of February, HD DVDs in your Saved Queue will automatically be changed to standard definition DVDs. Then toward the end of this year, all HD DVDs in your Queue will be changed to standard definition DVDs." So it appears that by the end of the year Netflix subscribers will no longer be able to view movies from Universal, Paramount (incl. Dreamworks), and Weinstein (incl. Dimension Films) in high definition, even if Netflix previously had them in inventory. And even if those major studios wanted to change formats, I don't think they could possibly manage to re-release a couple of hundred HD DVD titles in BD format in less than 2 years. Bottom line: it's a serious downgrade of Netflix's service for 2009, and not significant for 2010. In the near-term, it seems silly to push HD DVD customers to Blockbuster when they could easily have avoided this by pushing the cutoff to mid-2009 to give those major studios time to start re-releasing in BD.

  • 15 Posted by liljwolfpack on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    no offense but ----- u questholiday74 blu ray is better and stop bein so such a darn dramaqueen ----- go find a life or sumthin else to complain about u stuck up -----

  • 16 Posted by dan_z_2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    Re: BEST BUY SELLS USED AND DAMAGED PS2 IN A NEW PACKAGE WHEN YOU BUY ELECTRONIC PRODUT, OPEN THE BOX BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STORE! Dear Sir or Madam: The reason I write to you today is I want you to help me get the story to the public, to everyone, to let them know: WHEN YOU BUY ELECTRONIC PRODUT, OPEN THE BOX BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STORE! I bought a “new Play Station 2” game system from “Best Buy” on Feb 8, 2008 at 4PM, which located at: 8801 Queens blvd, Elmhurst”. But when I went back to home and open the package box, I found the system is not working at all, even the power could not be turned on, and also I found there is lots of dirt outside the PS2 and inside the CD tray, and lots scratches outside. I realize that the product I just bought and get out from that sealed box is a used, damaged item and switched. Then I want back to the store as soon as I can, want to get my money back. At almost 5PM on the same day, I get back to the store, and I showed them the box and the “PS2”, they told me that they can not take the product back, and they are not going to give me return or exchange, the reason is the label on the back of the “PS2” is been replaced, and the product is damaged. (I bought like that! Oh my god!). I just got that idea at that moment. I am in trouble! Then I looked on that label, it was scanned and printed by some printer. Oh my god! Who did it? … I made lots of phone call to the Best Buy customer service and to SONY Corp. they all told me the same thing, that they can not do anything, I have to keep that PS2. Now I am get stock in there… I really do not know what to do to get my justice! I need help! Even that I cannot get my money back and nothing, I really do not want to see a same thing happen again to any other person. Sincerely yours,

  • 17 Posted by mrbill75m on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    Blu-ray specs have a special hardner on their disks that greatly resist scratching (but cost the manafacturers a few extra $ per disk). I can tell you that I often stack my disks (both dvd and blu-ray) one on top of another... and with a 4yo who tends to get into everything the fact that they resist scratching is one of the primary reasons I went with blu-ray 1 year ago... and I'm glad I did. I have about 30 blu-ray titles and not a single scratch.

  • 18 Posted by raymor74 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm glad to see someone can step up and make a decision. The same arguments between one format or another hae been going on for some time. Remember the battle between cassettes and 8-track? With the advent of HDTV, we are just catching up with European countries who've had it for decades. When our TV industry had to decide between high def or longer distance TV signals, they chose the latter. This was long before cable and satellite, and TV stations wanted to reach out and touch more viewers. The U.S. is, after all, much bigger than any European country. So, the decision was made. But, things change. Decisions are made. And who wants to buy equipment which is obsolete as soon as you buy it?

  • 19 Posted by bguerra43 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have been a member of etflix for at least 3 years. Now at some point I can see I will not be able to get any new movies. I also own all Sony components and now I am not going to use some of them, The whole thing is really discusting.

  • 20 Posted by reggazay@pacbell.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    I studied both formats, and luckily chose blue-ray. I bought the PS3 for about the same price as the Sony player. I believe this is still the best way to go, even though I don't play games much. It plays mp3, and does slide shows, and plays the Sony format for their HD-camcorders (AVCHD) Only cons to it is that it heats up quite a bit, so a closed space is not good. It looks good sitting out though, either vertical or horizontal. Then there is no heat problem. A separate remote is best and they are very cheap. Netflix has been providing titles in blue ray for some time. Just tell them you have BR (or HD-DVD) and they will provide them to you. Look for it on line at netflix.com .

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