JB Hi-Fi now stocks HD DVD

[Filmmaker85]

I don't get it. What is this monkey see, monkey do?

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/828/828210p1.html

[Zyclone]

well in oz there is a large amount of HD DVD titles coming out from now till christmas so i guess they wanted to grab some of that red cash.

[getblu]

toshiba would have to be paying them for them to do that considering the market ratio is 90/10 in favour of Blu.

[DetroitSportsFan]

"In addition, Toshiba is a strong brand and we are currently selling their computer products, and will next year be selling their LCD TVs."

Toshiba probably threatened to not supply them with computers, TVs, etc. for the holidays if JB didn't start carrying HD players and movies.

And maybe a bribe too.

[BDAnr1]

Sony & Blu-ray Lose Exclusive JB Hi-Fi Deal

By SmartHouse Team | Wednesday | 17/10/2007


Sony and Blu-ray have lost their exclusivity in JBHi-Fi stores with the announcement that effective from November, the major retailer will start selling HD DVD players and content. The big winner is Toshiba, with JB Hi-Fi Marketing Director Scott Browning conceding that it was the exclusive Paramount content deal with HD DVD that swung him over to the HD DVD format.
Back in February this year at the launch of the Blu-ray Disc Working Group, Browning said that JB Hi-Fi would only sell Blu-ray hardware and software because of the strength of the format.

But in an interview with SmartHouse today Browning said, "We have come to the conclusion that cutting the consumer out of a HD DVD opportunity was not right, as content is critical and the move by Paramount to support HD DVD exclusively influenced our decision. In addition, Toshiba is a strong brand and we are currently selling their computer products, and will next year be selling their LCD TVs."

He added, "The dropping of the entry-level price to a HD DVD player late last week by Toshiba was not a key part of our decision. We are focused on 1080p and the HD DVD offering from Toshiba will complement our existing customer offering. Toshiba have done a great job in expanding their CE range and we look forward to working with their team."

But Toshiba says the recent price cut on its HD DVD players ($499 for the entry-level model) coupled with upcoming marketing campaigns for new release HD DVD titles puts the format in good stead.

Toshiba ISD General Manager Mark Whittard and HD DVD Consortium spokesperson said, "In Australia, Toshiba launched its AV business in July this year, including the full HD DVD player line-up, together with the local formation of the HD DVD Consortium.

"Since then, HD DVD has experienced many milestone successes, such as Paramount's move to join Universal in exclusively producing HD DVD films, and now JB Hi-Fi's decision to sell HD DVD hardware and software. The HD DVD Consortium is excited that this latest announcement adds to HD DVD's momentum and market share gain."

Retailer JB Hi-Fi previously stocked the full line of Toshiba notebooks including HD DVD models, and now its range of HD DVD products extends to include Toshiba HD DVD players and HD DVD software from Paramount Home Entertainment, DreamWorks, Warner Home Video and Universal Pictures.

HD DVD titles to become available over summer include box office hits Transformers, Bourne Ultimatum and Shrek the Third - all exclusive to the HD format. Christmas will also see the availability of Harry Potter, and TV series Heroes Season 1 and Star Trek – The Original Series.


Globally, Toshiba claims HD DVD sales are strong with United States showing 54% of all stand-alone HD player purchases are in the HD DVD format (NPD) and in Europe, HD DVD has 69% market share (GfK).

and a few months ago JB Hi-Fi will only stock Blu-ray titles and players

[Blu-Style]

SmartHouse says JB Hi-Fi Marketing Director Scott Browning conceding that it was the exclusive Paramount content deal with HD DVD that swung him over to the HD DVD format.

I know this sentence from somewhere..... the dude is called "PARAMOUNT" who brought (almost) the same statement...

the difference is, they said: we believe in HDDVD because we think it´s the better format

Looks like someone got bribed too....

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by Blu-Style

I know this sentence from somewhere..... the dude is called "PARAMOUNT" who brought (almost) the same statement...

the difference is, they said: we believe in HDDVD because we think it´s the better format

Looks like someone got bribed too....

yup...and when they find HD DVD is not selling in a few months what then...... ,what will be their answer to that one...

[frenchglen]

That's horrible. I don't want my fav. store contaminated with dark Red, no matter how small it is!!

I'm really getting sick of this format war thing...even much more than before. I'm sure a lot of people here feel the same way, right? Things have been going nicely and uncomplicated in Australia, blu=hi-def, it's simple for consumers. Now, they'll be confused and less confidant with getting into high definition, and titles such as Shrek, Transformers and Bourne to attract them to this other format. Considering how expensive the players still are though, I don't think it will help either format's progress.

Way to go Tosh, as much as I respect you for a quality CE company, you've just gone down another notch on my scale. You're even worse than...um...Sony can be at times...(how dare I say that - hey I've got to be honest, I'm definitely not a Sony fanboy, but this time Sony has a winner of a format, worth being adopted by the world like CD was)

Oh well, I suppose JB are in the business of retail, and if they see enough of a market, they'll go for it...they're still my favourites....this HD-DUD thing will blow away in time. ...it's just drawn out just longer, far longer than it should have.

[divedeeper]

Bah.

1st, who cares.

2nd. I don't blame any retailer for wanting to stock anything they think they can make a profit on.

This is not really a win, or loose for Blu-Ray format at all.

It is a very small win for HD-DVD buyers, as they have another choice when buying movies. But come on, you can get both blu-ray and HD-DVD at about 50 different retailers both online and in-store.

Who cares about this change?

Now, if Walmart drop'd one or the other, THAT would be big news.

A retailer who wants to sell more stuff is no big deal.

[WickyWoo]

They were definately paid off in some form that's for sure. My guess would be lucrative ad and endcap buys coupled with attractive discount pricing

[BDAnr1]

By SmartHouse Team | Wednesday | 17/10/2007

Sony and Blu-ray have lost their exclusivity in JBHi-Fi stores with the announcement that effective from November, the major retailer will start selling HD DVD players and content. The big winner is Toshiba, with JB Hi-Fi Marketing Director Scott Browning conceding that it was the exclusive Paramount content deal with HD DVD that swung him over to the HD DVD format.
Back in February this year at the launch of the Blu-ray Disc Working Group, Browning said that JB Hi-Fi would only sell Blu-ray hardware and software because of the strength of the format.

But in an interview with SmartHouse today Browning said, "We have come to the conclusion that cutting the consumer out of a HD DVD opportunity was not right, as content is critical and the move by Paramount to support HD DVD exclusively influenced our decision. In addition, Toshiba is a strong brand and we are currently selling their computer products, and will next year be selling their LCD TVs."

He added, "The dropping of the entry-level price to a HD DVD player late last week by Toshiba was not a key part of our decision. We are focused on 1080p and the HD DVD offering from Toshiba will complement our existing customer offering. Toshiba have done a great job in expanding their CE range and we look forward to working with their team."

But Toshiba says the recent price cut on its HD DVD players ($499 for the entry-level model) coupled with upcoming marketing campaigns for new release HD DVD titles puts the format in good stead.

Toshiba ISD General Manager Mark Whittard and HD DVD Consortium spokesperson said, "In Australia, Toshiba launched its AV business in July this year, including the full HD DVD player line-up, together with the local formation of the HD DVD Consortium.

"Since then, HD DVD has experienced many milestone successes, such as Paramount's move to join Universal in exclusively producing HD DVD films, and now JB Hi-Fi's decision to sell HD DVD hardware and software. The HD DVD Consortium is excited that this latest announcement adds to HD DVD's momentum and market share gain."

Retailer JB Hi-Fi previously stocked the full line of Toshiba notebooks including HD DVD models, and now its range of HD DVD products extends to include Toshiba HD DVD players and HD DVD software from Paramount Home Entertainment, DreamWorks, Warner Home Video and Universal Pictures.

HD DVD titles to become available over summer include box office hits Transformers, Bourne Ultimatum and Shrek the Third - all exclusive to the HD format. Christmas will also see the availability of Harry Potter, and TV series Heroes Season 1 and Star Trek – The Original Series.


Globally, Toshiba claims HD DVD sales are strong with United States showing 54% of all stand-alone HD player purchases are in the HD DVD format (NPD) and in Europe, HD DVD has 69% market share (GfK).

[Manco]

Basically, Toshiba put the screws to them and threatened to pull distribution of HDTV's and other PC electronics to their stores if they didn't stock HD-DVD. No biggie. They can strong arm smaller retailers, but it's not working with the likes of WalMart.

[CrippyBlunt]

Blah,blah, blah... HD-DVD sucks period. Just because it's "cheap" and they paid Paramount to leave BD, people think it's the format of choice. Let the numbers speak as we continue to kick ass in terms of software and hardware sales...

[GTsmokeya]

What does the article mean by " HD-dvd's many succsess over the year?" I think if we kept a fair and balanced rolling score card yea we would win.

GTsmokeya

dumb question who is JB-Hi-Fi?

[BDAnr1]

Originally Posted by GTsmokeya

dumb question who is JB-Hi-Fi?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JB_Hi-Fi

[ESUNintel]

Originally Posted by Manco

Basically, Toshiba put the screws to them and threatened to pull distribution of HDTV's and other PC electronics to their stores if they didn't stock HD-DVD. No biggie. They can strong arm smaller retailers, but it's not working with the likes of WalMart.

...so what if they pull their line of electronics. Their TVs don't looks so nice, plus a Sony Vaio crushes a Toshiba PC any day.

[lgans316]

Guys,

Grab the HD DVD copy of Shooter for just $40 USD from JB-HI.

[davidPS3]

I think that there has been much much more positive news for Blu as of late that this little bump should have no impact.

Let's just get thru the holiday season and see who does better and then let everyone regroup.

[Grisle]

I can agree that it's not right for the consumer. I guess if you want to buy an out-dated item you should be able to.

[undertow1141]

So basically Toshiba strong armed the "Circuit City" of Australia into going format neutral. I won't lose sleep.