"Where's Spider-Man on HD DVD??"

[BStecke]

Went to Wal-mart today and while browsing the Blu-ray section there's a couple asking the sales associate where Spiderman was on HD-DVD. The associate looked through the movies and didn't see it, so he told them "It might not be available on HD-DVD, some studios only support one or the other." I confirmed with the wife that Spiderman was Blu-ray exclusive, and she seemed pretty disappointed.

This is the first moment I've really talked the the "average consumer" about these high def formats, and realized that most people aren't like us, but like that couple. They bought their HD-DVD player, maybe based on price, maybe not, thinking they were buying the ability to watch high-def movies, period. They didn't have a clue about the format war.

This whole thing is just a shame.

[Zaphod]

That is a sad, sad thing, almost breaks your heart...

[Blu As Hell]

Now I feel sorry for that couple, this is why we need this "war" to be over so we can have one format so there will be no confusion like this.

Warner really needs to go Blu exclusive. I think that would end this all together.

[Maxell]

ROFL
This will happen alot more often. People see the TOshiba prices but dont realize what they've gotten themselves into.

[djluis2k6]

man, who's really looking for this? I go to Wal-Mart, they have an endcap devoted to the high-definition movies. It looks like it's suppose to be split down the middle between Blu-Ray and HD DVD, but Blu-Ray started to spill over HD DVD's side.

[kwhiplash]

I hope you pointed them in the direction of the nearest blu-ray player and movie display. Nothing like a little gentle encouragement to get someone to switch sides.

[doctorD]

It also doesn't help that some retail stores are broadcasting on the radio that a movie that is Blu ray exclusive (Spiderman 3 in this case) is also available on HD DVD.

I heard this on the radio yesterday on my way to pick up the Spidey trilogy and thought, wow someone is going to be upset when they find out it is not available for them. Also, while in Best Buy I overheard one of the employee's telling a phone customer that it was not available on HD DVD. I think they heard the same commercial.

It is sad though that the consumers are the ones that are really suffering. Hopefully Warner does go Blu exclusive (go buy more Warner Blu) and Universal goes at least neutral (I think their sales have stagnated on HD DVD) by spring or summer of 08. This would end the war at that point.

[jmkahn]

According to Highdefdigest Warner is starting to lean towards bluray

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news..._Strategy/1123

[The Don]

Originally Posted by jmkahn

According to Highdefdigest Warner is starting to lean towards bluray

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news..._Strategy/1123

this is where things get interesting...

and my comment to the couple in the post that started this thread...

"My heart is broken..for your loss" - King Leonidas..

[Gio]

Originally Posted by doctorD

It also doesn't help that some retail stores are broadcasting on the radio that a movie that is Blu ray exclusive (Spiderman 3 in this case) is also available on HD DVD.

I heard this on the radio yesterday on my way to pick up the Spidey trilogy and thought, wow someone is going to be upset when they find out it is not available for them. Also, while in Best Buy I overheard one of the employee's telling a phone customer that it was not available on HD DVD. I think they heard the same commercial.

It is sad though that the consumers are the ones that are really suffering. Hopefully Warner does go Blu exclusive (go buy more Warner Blu) and Universal goes at least neutral (I think their sales have stagnated on HD DVD) by spring or summer of 08. This would end the war at that point.

sadly there is alot of misinformation being spewed out by HD-DVD fanbois, this really hurts the uninformed consumer, that puts there faith into the stores sales reps.
one time i was skrewing around in suncoast video (gurnee mills mall, illinois) i pretended not to know anything about the formats (i do this alot especially when theres alot of consumers around) and the kid there says blu-ray is just about dead HD-DVD is out selling 12 to 1, then i just started tearing into him everyone started laughing then the manager came over listened to the conversation a little bit, told the kid to stop lying to the customers, and keep his personal feelings out of the work place, needless to say 5 to 6 of those customers went across to FYE and got Blu-ray players.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

That is a sad, sad thing, almost breaks your heart...

well that couple figured hd-dvd is cheaper so they will buy a hd-dvd player but no offense to that couple but i think they were being cheapskates and plus not knowing about the format war makes it worse for them that spidey is done by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures which is blu-ray exclusive. people these days always want to go with the cheaper prices its sad really

[w_tanoto]

it's their own fault, not doing research before deciding. i never trusted salesman.
sad? yes, but it's partly their own fault

[Xerious]

who do you trust... a pimply faced kid who talks, eats, sleeps halo 3 and hddud or the obviously overwhelming abundance of must-have titles... hmmm... honestly, i don't need ANYONE to tell me which format is superior, just looking at the selection of movies AND players, i think the answer is as clear as BLU.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

it's their own fault, not doing research before deciding. i never trusted salesman.
sad? yes, but it's partly their own fault

There are places with salesman you can trust, Walmart is not one of them. I am not sure if you are aware of what Walmart is, but it is where Satan sleeps.

[calcajun]

I hope they bought it at Wal Mart. They can easily pack it up and return it with no problems.

I wonder if they knew they needed a HD tv to see HD anyway?

[X400]

my cousin visited from boston (brought me my blurays that i ordered from frys/warner) he's never heard of blu-ray, so first movie i popped in was Day After Tomorrow for him and he flipped out. he's back in boston now and bought himself a 1080p tv set and a 80gb ps3

he's a dentist so im trying to get him to put bluray in the office waiting area for his patients (get some advertising hehe) but the only thing he wants to show on his tvs in the office are Teeth advertisments.. they need to put those on bluray too


thought id share and bring the mood up a lil bit

[Blubaru]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

well that couple figured hd-dvd is cheaper so they will buy a hd-dvd player but no offense to that couple but i think they were being cheapskates and plus not knowing about the format war makes it worse for them that spidey is done by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures which is blu-ray exclusive. people these days always want to go with the cheaper prices its sad really

Most people out there these days are cheapskates....errr I meant people looking for a good deal

That's why HD-DVD has such a good chance of winning is war. Toshiba is riding on people’s ignorance.

There are sure a lot of dumb and ignorant people out there.

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Blubaru

Most people out there these days are cheapskates....errr I meant people looking for a good deal

That's why HD-DVD has such a good chance of winning is war. Toshiba is riding on people’s ignorance.

There are sure a lot of dumb and ignorant people out there.

yes and there is plenty of ignorant people in this world its sad but true and also cheaper the price the cheaper the quality same goes for food, toys, computers, etc.

[NutsAboutPS3]

I worry that a typical conversation between a customer and a store salesperson might go something like this:

Customer : "What are these HD DVD and Blu-ray things?"
Salesperson : "They're high definition versions of DVD, you get better picture and sound quality."
Customer : "Which one should I buy?"
Salesperson : "Well, they're the same thing, but HD DVD players are much cheaper."
Customer : "So, why would anyone buy a Blu-ray player?"
Salesperson : "Beats me, they're the same thing, so you may as well get HD DVD because it's cheaper."

This salesperson would be misleading the customer, perhaps knowingly, or perhaps out of ignorance, but I do worry this is what is happening in stores.

[Xerious]

Originally Posted by NutsAboutPS3

I worry that a typical conversation between a customer and a store salesperson might go something like this:

Customer : "What are these HD DVD and Blu-ray things?"
Salesperson : "They're high definition versions of DVD, you get better picture and sound quality."
Customer : "Which one should I buy?"
Salesperson : "Well, they're the same thing, but HD DVD players are much cheaper."
Customer : "So, why would anyone buy a Blu-ray player?"
Salesperson : "Beats me, they're the same thing, so you may as well get HD DVD because it's cheaper."

This salesperson would be misleading the customer, perhaps knowingly, or perhaps out of ignorance, but I do worry this is what is happening in stores.

only one remedy to that... if you overhear this happening, run over and swiftly kick the sales guy in the nuts. this will turn him blu. at least physically.