Best Buy trying to package HD-DVDs

[nhaase]

I looked for anything on this on these forums but found nothing: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....&type=category

I don't know if this is just online, usually it says so if that's the case, so I think it's in stores, as well. If you buy the HD-DVD player that Best Buy sells (other than the add-on and combo, they only sell one), you get to pick 4 free movies from what looks to be the entire catalog (they even have the SD DVD versions of The Departed on that list). They don't have anything like that going on for BD, probably because they have no problem moving those units.

I know there are newer models that could be hitting the stores soon, but it seems to me like they might be trying to clear the shelves, of both players and titles. MS is already doing the South Park thing w/ their add-on.

Anyone's comments or knowledge on this are welcome. I'd like to be right here in thinking that BB is just trying to get rid of HD-DVD.

[GasCat]

I could pick one up with all the money I have saved by buying Blu-Ray discs instead of HD-DVD movies, but I won't.

HD-DVD is like heroin. First get people hooked on it by giving it away for free. Delusion kicks in followed by paranoia. Anyone reading the AVS forums can back me up on what happens. It's not a pretty sight.

[nhaase]

I've never seen an HD-DVD being played, but I'm going through something like a heroin fit right now because I can't watch Batman, V, or Uni. movies on BD. If that player did 1080p, I'd seriously consider getting it, but alas, I will restrain myself.

[coolmilo]

I am going to be so broke when those Universal titles are finally released on Blu-ray.

[tobythetitan]

That is at Best Buy-I've seen it on the shelf. However, I saw it on Toshiba's website first and the only place in the store is with the Toshiba players. As far as BestBuy pushing HDDVD-the 2 I have been in have BD to the right of the front door facing the door while HDDVD have been on the opposite side of the shelf-I think most retailers (at least around here-because Circuit City doesn't even have HDDVD section anymore) are rooting/pushing BD.

[tobythetitan]

Never mind-Toshiba's rebate (4 free movies) you had to pick 4 movies from 4 different tiers-so 3 titles might have been on tier 2-but been horrible movies. I just notice the Best Buy deal is ANY HDDVD movie.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by tobythetitan

That is at Best Buy-I've seen it on the shelf. However, I saw it on Toshiba's website first and the only place in the store is with the Toshiba players. As far as BestBuy pushing HDDVD-the 2 I have been in have BD to the right of the front door facing the door while HDDVD have been on the opposite side of the shelf-I think most retailers (at least around here-because Circuit City doesn't even have HDDVD section anymore) are rooting/pushing BD.

I'm not saying they're pushing HD-DVD, I'm thinking they're pushing them out of contention.

[tobythetitan]

That's the impression I got from both the managers at the 2 stores I talked to.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by GasCat

HD-DVD is like heroin. First get people hooked on it by giving it away for free. Delusion kicks in followed by paranoia.

So true! Best laugh all day.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by tobythetitan

That's the impression I got from both the managers at the 2 stores I talked to.

I googled this happening, and there was a HighDefDigest thread where someone said they were told by a friend who works at BB that they're not going to re-order HD-DVDs (though I suspect they'll stock Matrix, and other big hitters). I think it was pretty recent. While it was unfounded, does anyone have any info on this? The thread was closed to new postings, but it could still be read.

It makes good business sense for BB to pick one format. Right now, people ask which is better, and if being truthful they'll say BD, but since two formats are there, people will say, "I'll wait till it's decided on one format." They'll try to talk them into the combo, but that's a hefty price, so then they've lost a sale because of the war. So if they push one over the other, especially the one doing better right now, they can tell the consumer that this will win, as they are cutting off their support of the lesser format, and then they sell more. That's all conjecture, of course, but people do like to be sure when making big purchases.

[tobythetitan]

If you have 2 similar things at the same price point that only spells delays and possibly doom for both (although probably won't happen). I think the industry needs to pick one and go with it. Whether it's HDDVD or BD-the decision needs to be made and we need to shelf one next to BETA.

[nhaase]

I know this won't happpen, but wouldn't it be amazing if BB had a press release saying they won't be ordering The Matrix because HD-DVD is lagging in sales and keeps losing ground. That would make my year.

[shadowmoon]

Its just a marketing gimmick to ger rid of old stock Toshiba HD DVD players that only upconverts to 1080i via HDMI. The Toshiba HD-A2 only converts up to 1080i per BB's product description. New model is coming out that will convert up to 1080p and by then, no one would buy the 1080i if they can just spend a little more for the 1080p.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by shadowmoon

Its just a marketing gimmick to ger rid of old stock Toshiba HD DVD players that only upconverts to 1080i via HDMI. The Toshiba HD-A2 only converts up to 1080i per BB's product description. New model is coming out that will convert up to 1080p and by then, no one would buy the 1080i if they can just spend a little more for the 1080p.

Yea, I was pretty sure of that. The week before the $100 price drop they were selling it at $50 off, trying to get that much more money. That deal ended on March 31st; on April 1st the $100 drop kicked in. This deal just seemed interesting to me. Since Sony will have a new BD player in July, I wonder if they'll do this.