the Netherlands’ largest home entertainment retailer goes Blu - Blu-ray Forum

Tekman · 10-08-2007, 09:46 PM

Earlier this summer, Blockbuster made the strategic decision to back Blu-ray Disc
as its preferred next generation High Definition format. This decision is indicative of a strong trend that sees increasing numbers of retailers worldwide choosing to promote Blu-ray Disc in their store chains.
The latest news from Europe sees Free Record Shop, the Netherlands’ largest home entertainment retailer, announcing that they view Blu-ray Disc as the High Definition format of the future. In the announcement Free Record Shop said that Blu-ray Disc offers the ultimate in High Definition picture and sound.
Blu-ray Disc has the overwhelming support of most consumer electronics
companies and the majority of Hollywood studios. Free Record Shop Netherlands now also gives its support to Blu-ray Disc as the successor to DVD by giving the format a more prominent place in their stores.
Hans Breukhoven, CEO of Free Record Shop Holding says this announcement fits in their strategy for new trends: “More and more consumers have an HDTV. Bluray Disc offers the opportunity of watching movies in the highest possible High Definition quality. Sales results clearly show that by far the largest percentage of High Definition discs are Blu-ray Discs. Based on the quality, support from the industry and the sales figures we strongly feel Blu-ray Disc is the HD format of the future.”
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) was the first Hollywood studio to
release Blu-ray Discs in Europe and managing director Benelux Pieter Swaelens is
delighted about Free Record Shop’s announcement: “We are thrilled that Free
Record Shop, like us, is convinced of the format’s great future. SPHE has already sold over 250,000 Blu-ray Disc units in Europe and the launch of the
PLAYSTATION 3 with its built-in Blu-ray Disc player has had a positive effect on sales. Since its introduction last March in the Netherlands, sales of Blu-ray Discs have on average been 4 times higher than sales of HD DVD Discs. It is clear that there is a demand for High Definition content and it is clear that Blu-ray Disc is the format of choice.”

Cyorg · 10-08-2007, 09:47 PM

Very nice.

BluEatRed · 10-08-2007, 09:48 PM

gotta love it! go go go blu!

the end is near

SolidBlu · 10-08-2007, 09:52 PM

nice one!

go blu!

Mrcheerful · 10-08-2007, 09:52 PM

Great news, I'm in the Netherlands alot and will be able to pick up some titles, that will hopefully be cheaper than prices in Scotland.

The Big Blue · 10-08-2007, 09:54 PM

I'm a big E.T. geek so what's up with that poster? I must know.

GreenMotion · 10-08-2007, 10:03 PM

Got about time the free record shop went blu. Hopefully "van leest" will follow.

BillCable · 10-08-2007, 10:16 PM

So how will he HD-DUDs spin this into a victory?

"Now HD-DVD can dedicate its efforts to other retailers in the Netherlands!!"

Teazle · 10-08-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillCable

So how will he HD-DUDs spin this into a victory?

"Now HD-DVD can dedicate its efforts to other retailers in the Netherlands!!"

"No one in the Netherlands watches movies."

"Attach rates in the Netherlands are very low."

"Europe doesn't need the extra storage capacity provided by the Netherlands."

Josh · 10-08-2007, 10:24 PM

Link?

navychop · 10-08-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teazle

"No one in the Netherlands watches movies."

"Attach rates in the Netherlands are very low."

"Europe doesn't need the extra storage capacity provided by the Netherlands."

BluCrusader · 10-08-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teazle

"No one in the Netherlands watches movies."

"Attach rates in the Netherlands are very low."

"Europe doesn't need the extra storage capacity provided by the Netherlands."

lmao, you are the best

+rep

Tekman · 10-08-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh

Link?

What's up Josh, don't believe me? This news came from the BDA.

http://www.blu-raydisc.com/assets/do...0-07-13759.pdf

Josh · 10-08-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tekman

What's up Josh, don't believe me? This news came from the BDA.

http://www.blu-raydisc.com/assets/do...0-07-13759.pdf

I believe you, I just need a source for when I post it up on the mainpage. Thanks again. Would you like credit for the find?

Tekman · 10-08-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh

I believe you, I just need a source for when I post it up on the mainpage. Thanks again. Would you like credit for the find?

No that's ok. Just put it up in the mainpage so that google sees it and shows up in their news section. Thus, many more people will see it.
F.Y.I
Free Record Shop has almost 400 stores in The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Norway

w_tanoto · 10-08-2007, 11:30 PM

I wonder if "pietje bell" will eventually be released in BD. I know they are under Buena Vista. Bought the DVD some time ago in amsterdam airport. I wanted "pietje bell 2" too because I haven't watch it yet

Blu-Style · 10-09-2007, 12:09 AM

Europe brings the victory home guys

Teazle · 10-09-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tekman

Since its introduction last March in the Netherlands, sales of Blu-ray Discs have on average been 4 times higher than sales of HD DVD Discs. It is clear that there is a demand for High Definition content and it is clear that Blu-ray Disc is the format of choice.”

People who think the format war must drag out for eons take note. In the Netherlands BD and HD-DVD went head-to-head for seven months (March-Sept inclusive), with BD ahead 4:1.

That's all it took for this retailer to call time. Not 9:1 or 5:1 for a year, 4:1 for about half a year. (With Blockbuster here it was only 3:1; I forget for how long.)

Also, the split in studio support has not deterred the Netherlands' version of Best Buy from picking a side. Sometimes people on these forums say that we are in effect waiting for 100% studio support for the war to end. Events are not bearing this out. The fact that Transformers will only be available on HD-DVD in the Netherlands has had no effect on the progress of the format war there.

Free Record Shop exemplifies how retailers will actively help to end the war at the earliest reasonable opportunity. They will not sit passive until HD-DVD sales are down to a sliver. Nor will they wait for HDM adoption by the majority of their customers. A good robust 4:1 or 3:1 margin for a quarter or two, held up by a relatively small group of early adopters, is all it takes to persuade a retailer to cut out the dead wood.

Stef Nighthawk · 10-09-2007, 11:17 AM

Hopefully Free Record Shop Belgium will follow that example. And let's kick the Blu-ray distributors in the butt for being so slow in releasing those movies in the benelux countries. Compared to the neighboring countries (UK, France, Germany) we only have half the amount of movies they get.

Xerious · 10-09-2007, 11:25 AM

Wait, what? I thought I heard HD-DVD was trumping BD over there in Europe like a Googolplex to 1.... hmmmm, someone's lying!

10-08-2007, 09:46 PM	#1
Tekman Active Member Member since:Apr 2007	The Netherlands’ largest home entertainment retailer goes Blu Earlier this summer, Blockbuster made the strategic decision to back Blu-ray Disc as its preferred next generation High Definition format. This decision is indicative of a strong trend that sees increasing numbers of retailers worldwide choosing to promote Blu-ray Disc in their store chains. The latest news from Europe sees Free Record Shop, the Netherlands’ largest home entertainment retailer, announcing that they view Blu-ray Disc as the High Definition format of the future. In the announcement Free Record Shop said that Blu-ray Disc offers the ultimate in High Definition picture and sound. Blu-ray Disc has the overwhelming support of most consumer electronics companies and the majority of Hollywood studios. Free Record Shop Netherlands now also gives its support to Blu-ray Disc as the successor to DVD by giving the format a more prominent place in their stores. Hans Breukhoven, CEO of Free Record Shop Holding says this announcement fits in their strategy for new trends: “More and more consumers have an HDTV. Bluray Disc offers the opportunity of watching movies in the highest possible High Definition quality. Sales results clearly show that by far the largest percentage of High Definition discs are Blu-ray Discs. Based on the quality, support from the industry and the sales figures we strongly feel Blu-ray Disc is the HD format of the future.” Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) was the first Hollywood studio to release Blu-ray Discs in Europe and managing director Benelux Pieter Swaelens is delighted about Free Record Shop’s announcement: “We are thrilled that Free Record Shop, like us, is convinced of the format’s great future. SPHE has already sold over 250,000 Blu-ray Disc units in Europe and the launch of the PLAYSTATION 3 with its built-in Blu-ray Disc player has had a positive effect on sales. Since its introduction last March in the Netherlands, sales of Blu-ray Discs have on average been 4 times higher than sales of HD DVD Discs. It is clear that there is a demand for High Definition content and it is clear that Blu-ray Disc is the format of choice.” Last edited by Tekman; 10-08-2007 at 09:59 PM.

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10-08-2007, 09:47 PM	#2
Cyorg Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:San Antonio, TX. PSN ID: Cyorg Blu-ray collection:62 Blu-ray reviews:1	Very nice.

10-08-2007, 09:48 PM	#3
BluEatRed Banned Member since:Oct 2007	gotta love it! go go go blu! the end is near

10-08-2007, 09:52 PM	#4
SolidBlu Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Singapore Trading Score:2	nice one! go blu!

10-08-2007, 09:52 PM	#5
Mrcheerful Active Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Scotland. Blu-ray reviews:1	Great news, I'm in the Netherlands alot and will be able to pick up some titles, that will hopefully be cheaper than prices in Scotland.

10-08-2007, 09:54 PM	#6
The Big Blue Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2007 Blu-ray collection:98 Blu-ray reviews:1	I'm a big E.T. geek so what's up with that poster? I must know.

10-08-2007, 10:03 PM	#7
GreenMotion Special Member Member since:Apr 2007 4K collection:82 Blu-ray collection:1064 Trading Score:10	Got about time the free record shop went blu. Hopefully "van leest" will follow.

10-08-2007, 10:16 PM	#8
BillCable Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007 Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:1	So how will he HD-DUDs spin this into a victory? "Now HD-DVD can dedicate its efforts to other retailers in the Netherlands!!"

10-08-2007, 10:24 PM	#10
Josh Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Sep 2006 Home Theater Gallery:50 4K collection:37 Blu-ray collection:407 Digital collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:34	Link?

10-08-2007, 11:30 PM	#16
w_tanoto Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Hatfield, UK / Jakarta, Indonesia Blu-ray collection:37 Blu-ray reviews:47	I wonder if "pietje bell" will eventually be released in BD. I know they are under Buena Vista. Bought the DVD some time ago in amsterdam airport. I wanted "pietje bell 2" too because I haven't watch it yet

10-09-2007, 12:09 AM	#17
Blu-Style Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Германия	Europe brings the victory home guys

10-09-2007, 11:17 AM	#19
Stef Nighthawk Member Member since:Mar 2006	Hopefully Free Record Shop Belgium will follow that example. And let's kick the Blu-ray distributors in the butt for being so slow in releasing those movies in the benelux countries. Compared to the neighboring countries (UK, France, Germany) we only have half the amount of movies they get.

10-09-2007, 11:25 AM	#20
Xerious Special Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Washington, DC Blu-ray collection:238 Blu-ray reviews:4	Wait, what? I thought I heard HD-DVD was trumping BD over there in Europe like a Googolplex to 1.... hmmmm, someone's lying!

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