Blu-ray Trumps HD DVD: The Aftermath

Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:11AM EST

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Want a refund from Toshiba now that it's pulled the plug on its own format? Good luck. Also: HD DVD prices plummet, Universal and Amazon go Blu-ray, and more.

Toshiba nixes refunds: So, HD DVD early adopters - think you deserve a refund now that Toshiba has killed the format? Think again. Valleywag reports that the company (and big-time HD DVD backer) won't be accepting refund requests (although it will continue to support existing HD DVD players). Here's the quote: "There is nothing wrong with the products so we aren't accepting returns from customers ... [Customers] understood that there were two competing formats and understood that one of them would probably prevail ..." Good point, actually. In my case, I bought the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive knowing full well that I was taking a gamble. I lost. End of story.

Universal goes Blu-ray: Not a shock, but Universal went ahead and made it official: The studio (the only one to exclusively support HD DVD from the beginning) announced that it will start churning out Blu-ray versions of its new releases and catalog titles. No word on how long it will continue to press HD DVD discs. The move leaves Paramount and its subsidiary, Dreamworks, as the final HD DVD-only studios. Neither movie house has made any official announcements, but expect that to change shortly. Update: Paramount just got official about going Blu-ray.

Onkyo drops HD DVD: Confirming pretty much a foregone conclusion, Engadget HD reports that Onkyo, one of the few manufacturers besides Toshiba to make HD DVD players, has followed suit and dropped the format.

LG stays with HD DVD: Or at least with dual-format Blu-ray/HD DVD decks, according to High-Def Digest. The manufacturer, which was the first to release a Blu-ray/HD DVD combo player, said that "at this present moment in time, it is necessary to provide a player which supports both formats and therefore create simplicity and convenience for the existing HD DVD consumer." Very true, although it's not clear whether LG will produce more combo players, or will simply continue to support its existing players (its latest, the BH200, arrived in stores late last year).

Amazon hearts Blu-ray: The giant online retailer just went the way of Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and Netflix, announcing that it will now "more prominently promote Blu-ray hardware and software products on its Web site." Amazon will continue to sell HD DVD products, however. Indeed, I'm waiting for a mega HD DVD fire sale in the wake of the 50 percent discount offer that began last week.

HD DVD prices plummet: Sharp-eyed readers at Engadget HD found Toshiba's HD-A3 HD DVD player on sale at Circuit City for $99, including 7 free movies. Of course, it's just the beginning of sharp price cuts across the board for HD DVD. Taking a quick look at eBay, I found HD DVD players going for well under $100, with the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on selling for about $50.

Comments on Blu-ray Trumps HD DVD: The Aftermath

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  • 66 Posted by drjuicer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am not Suprised, that Blu-Ray Won out, over HD DVD, I too Bought HD, But to Listen to ANY arguement from the Consumer expecting a Refund is FUNNY..We as the Consumer have the RIGHT to BoyCott...We have the Internet...When are WE as the Larger Group going to TAKE control of What Big Business does to US? STEPS to Take(1)Make a Note in every email you send, to BOYCOTT All BLU-RAY Products(Use your Signiture Options or Copy and Paste from a Notepad) Write or Send emails to the Frogg Brothers, Netflix, ect. (2)Educate your self on the Limitations that the Blu-Ray Proliferation will have on YOUR Freedom to Copy..(3) Continue to Purchase HD DVD Discs for use with Your exsisting Platform..Remember Industry Watches the Numbers and It's Profit, not It's Customer's Comfort.

  • 69 Posted by cruse_c on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Actually I don't think Blu-ray has had anything to do with increasing PS3 sales. A disturbing number of people (around 60% I believe) don't even know that their PS3 supports Blu-ray, and have it connected to their HDTV with ----- ty composite cables.

  • 70 Posted by judyjemmings on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I feel that it's all about the greed of these companies to sucker the American public into more consumptionism. I am not going to play into the game. So I don't get to watch some movies, big deal. They lose a customer.

  • 71 Posted by andy_shinn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    Amen georgia boy. There is no doubt in my mind that HDDVD would have won out had the consumers been allowed to decide. Did you guys realize that BluRay will not play your regular DVD's? I have over 100 of them and I am not about to go out and buy them all again. I don't think this is over yet. HDDVD was cheaper. Bluray is it's own special format. Sony know if the consumers decided, they would once again lose the battle so they bribed every picture studio possible.

  • 72 Posted by sameerferrari on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    so what will happen to xbox hd dvd drive players,Bill gates was pretty confindent on backing hd and he put alot of money into it so what will happen to xbox will sales drop i think most likely, and u have to admit japenese make better electronics rather than Americans, Bill gates does not know how to market his stuff, Sony does thats why thet will do better than Bill gates. Sorry Bill gates but i think u knew u lost from the beginning u started backing hd dvd not so smart know Bill. Will Bill Gates switch to blue ray?.He will have to switch to blue ray consodering blue ray was his biggest competitor. And Gamestop is not taking any new or used hd dvds anymore and also none of Bill gates hd dvd drives for xbox, Well done SONY. u should celebrate

  • 73 Posted by johnp548 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    To all those that think they deserve a refund please!!! This is exactly what you deserve for buying into a product when there was obviously a format war going on, and only one format would eventually win....

  • 74 Posted by dodgeneverwins on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why would anyone pay top dollar for 15+ year old technology (blu ray) is beyoud me. HD DVD is technology from this century. A no brainer!

  • 75 Posted by sazstar13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's so hard not to bite on these HD sales! However, I'm not sold on them yet.

  • 76 Posted by damekellen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    All I know is - I'm not going to bother buying many movies at all anymore....it costs way to much to keep replacing the ones I love.....I'll just rent a lot.

  • 77 Posted by reciii69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    Tigger, Toshiba was losing $$$ all the way as they made payouts to studios and lowered hardware prices to gain market shre, trying to fight the BD PR machine. That's what won the war, not the technology. They were visially/Audio equals from the consumer POV. And in-fact in terms of feature implementation and disc manufacturing (DVD/HD-DVD combo discs), HD-DVD was WAAAY ahead. BD players are in ver 1 of 3 initial scheduled feature releases. reddcannon, Your TV can display either, they are visually identical in resolution and eventually in codecs. (HD-DVD was ahead there too for about a year!) Ironically PR wins out instead of price (VHS/Beta) but in both wars the best technology lost :(

  • 78 Posted by edsybear on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Engineering question, technically which format is better? In the old Beta vs. VHS battle, Beta is the better engineered product. But the marketing guys won that battle.

  • 79 Posted by pq720cancer82 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    HD-DVD vs Blu-ray... people knew there was gonna be a battle and one was gonna end up a loser. HD DVD owners wanting a refund is whack! They should 1) bought a combo HD DVD/Blu Ray player, or 2) just stuck with a upconverting DVD player until one prevailed... which is what I did.. with the best of them all .. the Oppo 981 haha

  • 80 Posted by raisingwaterbyfire on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    If you have a HDTV and regular DVDs are "good enough" for you, then I'm wondering why you bought an HDTV in the first place...? Why waste the money? There's a definite difference between SD and HD, even upscaled DVDs and HD. Anyway, stop complaining people. It's called free enterprise. You would think that people would figure it out by now.

  • 81 Posted by jasinhowe on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    Everyone loses except the PS3 people. The people that have HD-DVD can't get new movies and the current Blu-Ray players (save the PS3) can't be upgraded to include the new blu-ray internet and interactive features. DVDs that are upconverted look almost as good as HD-DVD or Blu-Ray. If the prices don't fall then why buy and if they do fall, why would Sony and that group spent all this money? Oh well, HD downloads are almost here, easier, better, cheaper.

  • 82 Posted by boostnhemi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think blu ray is worthless! I cant even tell the difference..its a waste of money for the time being. Im sorry im a huge movie buff but paying 30.00 for a dvd is ridiculous for something you might watch 3 times!!

  • 83 Posted by bjmarr12 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    Long live the Beta VCR, 8 traks, records, atari, and original transformers! Too much technology out there...enjoy what you've got. Remember, just b/c it's a couple years old doesn't mean you have to tra----- . Besides, what's better than smashing your best friend in a highly competitive game of PONG!!!!!

  • 84 Posted by afsgtsam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    I sold my HD DVD Player and 10 movies about 2 weeks ago, I saw the writing on the wall and got rid of it before it became worthless. I now own a Panasonic Blu Ray Play and love it. I am glad this format war is finally settled and now I look forward to more availability and lower prices on the movies.

  • 85 Posted by jeboyes04 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    This makes me a two time loser, I go against Sony and by the X-Box 360 instead of the PS3 in 00's. but back in the 80's I went with Sony and bought a Betamax just to have VHS win out. :-(

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