Blockbuster going blu-exclusive?

[stockstar1138]

when its coming from an HD DVD source, I think the odds are decent.

http://www.slashgear.com/my-local-bl...oo-1110197.php

[nhaase]

Not surprising, and I don't expect BBuster to make a big announcement, since their big one was the expansion of BD only last summer. I think HD DVD will just slowly disappear from their shelves.

[Grisle]

It's an interesting theory that they will use the remaining stock for online rentals. I hope not...I want them to just have it phased out. Funny thing is this whole time I thought Blockbuster was BD exclusive.

[krazeyeyez]

Originally Posted by Grisle

It's an interesting theory that they will use the remaining stock for online rentals. I hope not...I want them to just have it phased out. Funny thing is this whole time I thought Blockbuster was BD exclusive.

umm yah..... that was my understanding too, maybe this refers to the online program which is technically a separate business entity, but i do know every corporate owned bbuster in my area has only carried bluray and has never carried hddvd, one of the main factors in my going blu originally since i rent a whole lot more then i actually buy. case in point i had dvd when there was only like 18 available and my collection never broke 250.

[Blu Titan]

All of the Blockbuster stores in my area are 100% Blu. The only relevant announcement would be if it releated to the online rental business.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by Grisle

Funny thing is this whole time I thought Blockbuster was BD exclusive.

To recap BBuster's hi-def history, at the beginning of 2007 they put both formats in their top 250 stores. In July they announced that in those stores and online 70% of all hi-def rentals were BDs, so when they decided to expand hi-def to their next 1500 stores (i believe that's the correct number), they would only expand BD. HD DVD, they said, would still be available online and in those original 250 stores.

[scook]

For companies that rent movies Blu ray is a given, yeah we all know its superior but what is a renting companies biggest issue: people treating the product as if its RENTED! HD Duds cost the same amount as Blu's but they are having issues across the board with replacing product due to...Ding Ding Ding Scratches. Blu ray's being Scratch Resistent is a dream to BBuster, NetFlix and its showing. Its a no brainer that Renting companies would want to drop HD Dud and increase their Money Making Durable Format.

Blu ray = $$$ made from Renting - Initial Product Cost = $teady Profit$

HD Dud = $ made from Renting - Initial Product Cost - Steady Replacement Product Cost = Steady Decreasing Profit

If you have'nt seen it:
Blu ray Stress Test: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0

[davidPS3]

Blockbuster was suppose to be blu ray exclusive last year. The "big" annoucement was made, signs went up in the stores and all was to be well. It did not happen though. So, I am a bit suprised by the "new" annoucement here. Get it together Blockbuster, make up your mind once and for all, there is only one choice, especially now with a major competitor making the jump in Netflix.

[statikcat]

Blockbuster already went all Blu. Some stores still have "remaining" HD-DVD stock. But they have a huge Blu-ray section in new and old titles. The BB here has a big PS3/Blu-ray display on a Sony tv. They were playing Pirates 3 - made me really notice how awesome those Sony tvs are..

[fronn]

Originally Posted by davidPS3

... It did not happen though...

They did exactly what they said they were going to... What part "did not happen"?

250 of the top stores have blu-ray and HD DVD... the rest of the stores nationwide that choose to have HD movies only have Blu-ray. It seems even that some of the top 250 stores are ditching HD DVD even.

[sAvAgE69]

Yeah I am thinking soon enough. maybe May 2008 when WB goes exclusive I feel that Rogers, Blockbuster and so on will have those HD-DVD rentals in the clearance bin to get rid of them. that is just a hunch though

[TruBlu2]

BlockBuster has been Blu exclusive as of June 07. They have hddud's in stock for th time being and renting them on-line or a select stores. BB had a trial period in which they stocked both formats at select stores throughout the country. After the trial period expired the rental data showed BD was the format of choice. After that BB was Blu and they have been phasing out hddud since then.

I want to hear the announcement that they have completely phased out hddud from stores and on-line.

[krazeyeyez]

went to blockbuster today to rent and overheard someone looking at the bravia bluray display and they said "wow i didnt know it looked like THAT!", gotta kick out of this.

[Grim Reaper]

my local blockbuster still doesnt carry either BD or HD.

[LynxFX]

I'm still waiting for my local blockbusters to have Blu-ray. Out of the 15 around me, only 2 do and they are the farthest ones away.

[davidPS3]

Originally Posted by fronn

They did exactly what they said they were going to... What part "did not happen"?

250 of the top stores have blu-ray and HD DVD... the rest of the stores nationwide that choose to have HD movies only have Blu-ray. It seems even that some of the top 250 stores are ditching HD DVD even.

So, your looking at this with a glass half full - half empty then. Blockbuster as a "chain" did not go blu ray exclusive. Their top 250 stores are suppose to be carrying blu only, not the case guy. We have plenty of their stores here and they have both formats. Are any of them a top 250, I would think so. But neither you nor I travel the country to check this out and I am making the claim that "locally" Blockbuster is not blu exclusive.

I will believe it when I see it. Just look back at the Target annoucement as well, they still have both formats. That was also suppose to be a one two punch, Blockbuster and Target going exclusive.

The war is over and everyone will be on blu bandwagon, just calling out some facts.