How will retailers drop hd dvd?

[stockstar1138]

quietly stop selling red products or loudly with a big PR?

[kolasi]

bargain bins.

[Vonscoot]

If they were a primary backer of Blu (Target) you might see an announcement. Otherwise, retailers likely will quietly shift shelf space over to the prevailing format.

Bargain bins will not likely occur. Many retailers (including Wal-mart) don't "own" most of their movies. When they want to stop carrying them, they send them back to the studios. HD-DVD will likely have the same end result.

[stockstar1138]

so we wont have any info on CC most likely besides anecdotal reports .

[Vonscoot]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

so we wont have any info on CC most likely besides anecdotal reports .

I'll let you know about any WM info as soon as I know it.

[bhampton]

Hi,

I'm not sure if they will make format press releases or not. But,.. I bet there is little to no profit in selling the hardware at this point so I really can't imagine why they would keep selling the hardware.

In trying to please the HD DVD fans for which $99 players are the highest price imagin-able for audio/video gear,.. they have taken all the profit out for retailers.

I think this more then anything else will get the hardware out of the retailers soon.

-Brian

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Hi,

I'm not sure if they will make format press releases or not. But,.. I bet there is little to no profit in selling the hardware at this point so I really can't imagine why they would keep selling the hardware.

In trying to please the HD DVD fans for which $99 players are the highest price imagin-able for audio/video gear,.. they have taken all the profit out for retailers.

I think this more then anything else will get the hardware out of the retailers soon.

-Brian

they are actually taking losses on these. a sure sign of dumping

[CAB]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

they are actually taking losses on these. a sure sign of dumping

I asked Max about this and his take is the retailers aren't taking the hit. Toshiba's write-offs in 2008 will be an interesting read. Did I say interesting? I meant enjoyable.

[whoelse]

I chose Quietly restock but also announce that they have chosen not to restock, after they have sold the old stock, so people still buy it.

[sj001]

Good poll, I can't see any big press releases from the majority of retailers. They will quietly close the curtains on HD-DVD. There maybe a couple that make announcements, but that is pretty much it, IMO.

[Digital Filmmaker]

I've noticed recently at my local Best Buy that all tags on the Toshiba HD-DUD players now describe them as "1080i DVD upconversion & HD DVD player".

That's quite funny. They can't even be sold now as HD-DUD players, but rather as upconverting DVD players that just so happens can also play HD-DUDs. The sales guys there say that they have gotten back more returns than sold players since the Warner announcement at CES.

[unreal1080p]

I don't think retail stores themselves will issue PR's. Word will get out then the media will dig and get confirmation from head officess, then they will report the stories in various publications (both online and physical).

There is no need for retail stores to publicaly humiliate and embarass Toshiba & HD DUD when the media will GLADLY do it free of charge
No point for retail stores to publicaly burn bridges.

[TheRealBob]

I think this is the key point:

Originally Posted by unreal1080p

There is no need for retail stores to publicly humiliate and embarrass Toshiba & HD DUD...

Toshiba is a big company, and retailers want to maintain good relations. They can stop selling HD DVD just as well without an announcement as they can with one, so why upset Toshiba needlessly? As much as we may like to see it, it doesn't make business sense.

Originally Posted by unreal1080p

...when the media will GLADLY do it free of charge

I wouldn't be surprised if even then the retailers are reluctant to say anything that could be construed as negative. When the media asks if they're dropping HD DVD, expect the response to be a lot of babble about how they track what the customers want and adjust their inventory accordingly and they've made adjustments at some locations. They'll probably just keep ducking the question until HD DVD is completely gone and people stop asking them.

[Tizflizz]

I agree with most of you.There is no advantage to making a big announcement while they are getting rid of the product that is left.After the stock is depleted
there is no reason to announce anything either.It will be done quietly with no big
fan fare.

[jadedeath]

Where's the: "If they're smart they'll drop it now like a hot potato before they waste any more money on a useless and failed format" option?

Logan

[Clark Kent]

There will be no press releases from retailers. It will be a quiet dumping of the stock at clearance prices. Why offend Toshiba who makes other products that are still viable?

[jubaiweaponx]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

There will be no press releases from retailers. It will be a quiet dumping of the stock at clearance prices. Why offend Toshiba who makes other products that are still viable?

+1 as I watch bb shift space in delaware blu has a full isle hd has 2 4 foot sections slowly phasing them out

[bhampton]

I'm thinking they will start by putting all the players on Clerance.

Kind of like Circuit City is currently doing.

-Brian

[ezcobar411]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I'm thinking they will start by putting all the players on Clerance.

Kind of like Circuit City is currently doing.

-Brian

I agree, doing that way will cause less of an outcry from the other side and will allow for a seamless transition

[Denzelio]

Quietly move HD software and hardware into a discount bin