The Beginning of the End for HD-DVD?

[blu_world]

The Beginning of the End for HD DVD





The high-def battle between Blu-ray and HD-DVD is no longer about the consumer, but about partnerships. If you thought the choice was up to you, think again. The Blu-ray camp is playing its cards right, winning another hand that will hurt the competition.

Digital Journal — The battle between high-definition DVD formats, Blu-ray and HD-DVD, has been heated for more than a year now. One camp publishes numbers saying players are selling well, then the other publishes a study saying more people prefer the way they do special features on a disc.

It's a confusing mess for the consumer, a frustrating process for anyone who thinks to themselves: Just get the whole thing over with already so the price can come down and I can get me a player.

Well, that could very well be happening but it might not be obvious to everyone yet. The Blu-ray team is the shark prowling the high-def waters, eating up everything just beneath the surface.

This week, retail giant Target announced it will only carry the Sony-backed Blu-ray format through the lucrative holiday shopping season, dealing a huge blow to Toshiba right between the HD-DVD players. Target is the second largest retailer in the United States.

Target released a statement saying they would carry Blu-ray stand-alone players exclusively "at least through the holiday season" and will add to the inventory of titles they carry for the player (they haven't totally killed HD-DVD - more on that in a minute). The deal will start in October and promote Sony's BDP-S300 player that sells for about $500.

Target is the second major retailer to go with the Blu-ray format, after Blockbuster announced its U.S. plans to do the same in June. Blockbuster said Blu-ray rentals are "significantly outpacing HD-DVD rentals."

A report published by Forbes says Target chose Blu-ray to help create resolution in the format war that has kept "confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market."

HD-DVD stand-alone players will still be sold on Target's website, but in store the only HD-DVD player you will find will be the add-on for the Xbox 360. Anyone who wants choice needs both players in front of them, so HD-DVD will undeniably be hurt by Target's move, regardless if the players are still sold online.

Toshiba and the HD-DVD team were no doubt a little shaken by Target's announcement; as Ken Graffeo, Executive Vice President of HD Strategic Marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment, said in a statement:
Target will continue to carry the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive as well as HD DVD titles so we don't see much of a change in their plans to carry both formats. In fact, they continue to sell Toshiba HD DVD players on their web site. Sony appears to have bought an end cap, just as HD DVD has in retail stores such as BestBuy and Circuit City.

What's important is that stand alone HD-DVD players are still much more affordable than Blu-ray players, plus they offer a better experience - just compare titles appearing in both formats like "300" or "Blood Diamond." Ultimately consumers will be the ones that determine what format provides the greatest value.
The war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD is evolving into a battle that is being fought behind the scenes. The idea that the consumer will be the one to decide the winner of the format war is an illusion. Forget about features, price, technology — none of that matters anymore. It's now about smoke and mirrors.

The format war will be won by partnerships, because an HD-DVD player will not come out on top if nobody can find it. And Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on will not be the saving grace for the format. Consumers, Ma and Pa, will want a stand-alone player, not a gaming console.

The problem with the format war now, is that it is fighting on three fronts; in North America, in Europe and in Japan.

In North America, we hear about Blu-ray sales doing well; Digital Entertainment Group (a group that promotes both formats) says 1.5 million Blu-ray players have been sold in the U.S. (1.4 million of those players were PlayStation 3 consoles). HD-DVD, on the other hand, has only sold 300,000 HD-DVD players according to Digital Entertainment Group (and half of those are the external HD-DVD drive that comes with the Xbox 360). Sony's PS3 has been an enormous success for Blu-ray in North America.

But in Europe, the game is much different, as HD-DVD stand-alone players have outsold Blu-ray three-to-one according to Reuters.

And finally, the mess is made more confusing by executives who spin numbers to make them look like they are out ahead; take a look at how HD-DVD exec Ken Graffeo spins increased sales percentage to sound like Toshiba has sold more units in total than Blu-ray competitors. He notes how HD-DVD sales are up 37 per cent while Blu-ray is down 27 per cent. Of course he's paid to spin the numbers to sound great, but when you aren't working with real numbers of units shipped, a percentage increase or decrease means absolutely nothing. Total unit sales are all that matters.

And so we leave you, Mr. and Mrs. consumer in a tricky spot: The bad news is that it's still not quite over, and both Blu-ray and HD-DVD teams have so much money invested in winning that they will do whatever it takes to win — even if it means deceiving or confusing you to the point where you think you should be locked up in a padded room out of sheer frustration. Numbers are twisted almost everywhere they are reported and the talking heads from both sides spew more emissions than coal-fired plants.

But the good news is, perhaps we are all lucky Blu-ray is strong-arming the industry from behind the scenes. At least it will put an end to this battle and we can all pick up a Blu-ray player knowing it won't be obsolete in six months.

That is, until another format emerges.

[Jodi]

Originally Posted by blu_world

[url]http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/211486/The_Beginning_of_the_End_for_HD_DVD_[url]





[imghttp://www.digitaljournal.com/images/photo/hddvddead.jpg][/img]

The high-def battle between Blu-ray and HD-DVD is no longer about the consumer, but about partnerships. If you thought the choice was up to you, think again. The Blu-ray camp is playing its cards right, winning another hand that will hurt the competition.

Digital Journal — The battle between high-definition DVD formats, Blu-ray and HD-DVD, has been heated for more than a year now. One camp publishes numbers saying players are selling well, then the other publishes a study saying more people prefer the way they do special features on a disc.

It's a confusing mess for the consumer, a frustrating process for anyone who thinks to themselves: Just get the whole thing over with already so the price can come down and I can get me a player.

Well, that could very well be happening but it might not be obvious to everyone yet. The Blu-ray team is the shark prowling the high-def waters, eating up everything just beneath the surface.

This week, retail giant Target announced it will only carry the Sony-backed Blu-ray format through the lucrative holiday shopping season, dealing a huge blow to Toshiba right between the HD-DVD players. Target is the second largest retailer in the United States.

Target released a statement saying they would carry Blu-ray stand-alone players exclusively "at least through the holiday season" and will add to the inventory of titles they carry for the player (they haven't totally killed HD-DVD - more on that in a minute). The deal will start in October and promote Sony's BDP-S300 player that sells for about $500.

Target is the second major retailer to go with the Blu-ray format, after Blockbuster announced its U.S. plans to do the same in June. Blockbuster said Blu-ray rentals are "significantly outpacing HD-DVD rentals."

A report published by Forbes says Target chose Blu-ray to help create resolution in the format war that has kept "confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market."

HD-DVD stand-alone players will still be sold on Target's website, but in store the only HD-DVD player you will find will be the add-on for the Xbox 360. Anyone who wants choice needs both players in front of them, so HD-DVD will undeniably be hurt by Target's move, regardless if the players are still sold online.

Toshiba and the HD-DVD team were no doubt a little shaken by Target's announcement; as Ken Graffeo, Executive Vice President of HD Strategic Marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment, said in a statement:
Target will continue to carry the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive as well as HD DVD titles so we don't see much of a change in their plans to carry both formats. In fact, they continue to sell Toshiba HD DVD players on their web site. Sony appears to have bought an end cap, just as HD DVD has in retail stores such as BestBuy and Circuit City.

What's important is that stand alone HD-DVD players are still much more affordable than Blu-ray players, plus they offer a better experience - just compare titles appearing in both formats like "300" or "Blood Diamond." Ultimately consumers will be the ones that determine what format provides the greatest value.
The war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD is evolving into a battle that is being fought behind the scenes. The idea that the consumer will be the one to decide the winner of the format war is an illusion. Forget about features, price, technology — none of that matters anymore. It's now about smoke and mirrors.

The format war will be won by partnerships, because an HD-DVD player will not come out on top if nobody can find it. And Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on will not be the saving grace for the format. Consumers, Ma and Pa, will want a stand-alone player, not a gaming console.

The problem with the format war now, is that it is fighting on three fronts; in North America, in Europe and in Japan.

In North America, we hear about Blu-ray sales doing well; Digital Entertainment Group (a group that promotes both formats) says 1.5 million Blu-ray players have been sold in the U.S. (1.4 million of those players were PlayStation 3 consoles). HD-DVD, on the other hand, has only sold 300,000 HD-DVD players according to Digital Entertainment Group (and half of those are the external HD-DVD drive that comes with the Xbox 360). Sony's PS3 has been an enormous success for Blu-ray in North America.

But in Europe, the game is much different, as HD-DVD stand-alone players have outsold Blu-ray three-to-one according to Reuters.

And finally, the mess is made more confusing by executives who spin numbers to make them look like they are out ahead; take a look at how HD-DVD exec Ken Graffeo spins increased sales percentage to sound like Toshiba has sold more units in total than Blu-ray competitors. He notes how HD-DVD sales are up 37 per cent while Blu-ray is down 27 per cent. Of course he's paid to spin the numbers to sound great, but when you aren't working with real numbers of units shipped, a percentage increase or decrease means absolutely nothing. Total unit sales are all that matters.

And so we leave you, Mr. and Mrs. consumer in a tricky spot: The bad news is that it's still not quite over, and both Blu-ray and HD-DVD teams have so much money invested in winning that they will do whatever it takes to win — even if it means deceiving or confusing you to the point where you think you should be locked up in a padded room out of sheer frustration. Numbers are twisted almost everywhere they are reported and the talking heads from both sides spew more emissions than coal-fired plants.

But the good news is, perhaps we are all lucky Blu-ray is strong-arming the industry from behind the scenes. At least it will put an end to this battle and we can all pick up a Blu-ray player knowing it won't be obsolete in six months.

That is, until another format emerges.

Simply put, last week was a HORRIBLE week for HD-DUD. Nuff said.

Jodi

"got blu?"

[aygie]

Originally Posted by blu_world

[url]http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/211486/The_Beginning_of_the_End_for_HD_DVD_[url]

images/photo/hddvddead.jpg][/img]

But in Europe, the game is much different, as HD-DVD stand-alone players have outsold Blu-ray three-to-one according to Reuters.

I know we're talking about players here and not Discs but these figures are interesting:

Play.com:
Blu Ray Pre-orders available - 59
HD-DVD Pre - orders available - 17

Amazon.co.uk - Amount Available
Blu Ray - 728 (Not sure if this includes Games, pretty sure it doesn't)
HD-DVD - 599

Senit.com - Amount Available
Bluray - 148
HD - DVD - 95

Play and Amazon are the biggest European websites and they both seem to be focusing on Blu, so even if there is more HDDVD players being sold (doubt it reuters) people will (hopefully) soon release on how much their missing out on. Just a thought.

[VenomXR8]

In reply to Reuters claiming HD-DVD players have outsold Blu Ray players in Europe, did they take into account PS3 consoles sold because the last I heard was that the PS3 was going very well in Europe. Also As reported a while back everyone seems to forget Australia when the come up with all of these sales statistics. Australia is very much Blu Ray all the way and alot of stores (JB hifi for example which is one of Australia's biggest and best home entertainment stores) are Blu Ray exclusive and only sell Blu Ray players and movies.

[Terjyn]

Blu-ray is winning in all markets, Europe included. Both in players sold and in software sold.

The inclusion of the "3:1" statement is just another bit of HD-DVD smoke and mirrors.

[Dave]

http://www.digitaljournal.com/articl...nd_for_HD_DVD_




I like the image

[maytrix]

Interesting article. Lots of truth to it. It does need to be corrected though as Target is not blu-ray exclusive. They will continue to sell HD DVD as they are today.

I don't think we're at a point though where the average buyer is going in to a store not knowing much about blu-ray and walking out with a player. If all they see when they go in is blu-ray players though, then it will have a big impact on what they may research and come back to buy later.

[MasterXeus]

Originally Posted by maytrix

Interesting article. Lots of truth to it. It does need to be corrected though as Target is not blu-ray exclusive. They will continue to sell HD DVD as they are today.

Here's a quote from the OP.

HD-DVD stand-alone players will still be sold on Target's website, but in store the only HD-DVD player you will find will be the add-on for the Xbox 360. Anyone who wants choice needs both players in front of them, so HD-DVD will undeniably be hurt by Target's move, regardless if the players are still sold online.

No where in the post does it say Target is blu-ray exclusive. Maybe you mean this.

Target released a statement saying they would carry Blu-ray stand-alone players exclusively "at least through the holiday season" and will add to the inventory of titles they carry for the player (they haven't totally killed HD-DVD - more on that in a minute). The deal will start in October and promote Sony's BDP-S300 player that sells for about $500.

But that still doesn't say Target is Blu-ray exclusive. Maybe I missed something.

[sainraja]

Originally Posted by maytrix

Interesting article. Lots of truth to it. It does need to be corrected though as Target is not blu-ray exclusive. They will continue to sell HD DVD as they are today.

I don't think we're at a point though where the average buyer is going in to a store not knowing much about blu-ray and walking out with a player. If all they see when they go in is blu-ray players though, then it will have a big impact on what they may research and come back to buy later.

If they are not selling the players that play the movies what's the point eh? They are selling the players on their site but like the article said if customers can't see it, why would they buy it?

Target will still sell the movies I am sure.....but it's still a pretty big blow to HD DVD.

[radagast]

Originally Posted by blu_world

The Beginning of the End for HD DVD





The high-def battle between Blu-ray and HD-DVD is no longer about the consumer, but about partnerships. If you thought the choice was up to you, think again. The Blu-ray camp is playing its cards right, winning another hand that will hurt the competition.

Digital Journal — The battle between high-definition DVD formats, Blu-ray and HD-DVD, has been heated for more than a year now. One camp publishes numbers saying players are selling well, then the other publishes a study saying more people prefer the way they do special features on a disc.

It's a confusing mess for the consumer, a frustrating process for anyone who thinks to themselves: Just get the whole thing over with already so the price can come down and I can get me a player.

Well, that could very well be happening but it might not be obvious to everyone yet. The Blu-ray team is the shark prowling the high-def waters, eating up everything just beneath the surface.

This week, retail giant Target announced it will only carry the Sony-backed Blu-ray format through the lucrative holiday shopping season, dealing a huge blow to Toshiba right between the HD-DVD players. Target is the second largest retailer in the United States.

Target released a statement saying they would carry Blu-ray stand-alone players exclusively "at least through the holiday season" and will add to the inventory of titles they carry for the player (they haven't totally killed HD-DVD - more on that in a minute). The deal will start in October and promote Sony's BDP-S300 player that sells for about $500.

Target is the second major retailer to go with the Blu-ray format, after Blockbuster announced its U.S. plans to do the same in June. Blockbuster said Blu-ray rentals are "significantly outpacing HD-DVD rentals."

A report published by Forbes says Target chose Blu-ray to help create resolution in the format war that has kept "confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market."

HD-DVD stand-alone players will still be sold on Target's website, but in store the only HD-DVD player you will find will be the add-on for the Xbox 360. Anyone who wants choice needs both players in front of them, so HD-DVD will undeniably be hurt by Target's move, regardless if the players are still sold online.

Toshiba and the HD-DVD team were no doubt a little shaken by Target's announcement; as Ken Graffeo, Executive Vice President of HD Strategic Marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment, said in a statement:
Target will continue to carry the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive as well as HD DVD titles so we don't see much of a change in their plans to carry both formats. In fact, they continue to sell Toshiba HD DVD players on their web site. Sony appears to have bought an end cap, just as HD DVD has in retail stores such as BestBuy and Circuit City.

What's important is that stand alone HD-DVD players are still much more affordable than Blu-ray players, plus they offer a better experience - just compare titles appearing in both formats like "300" or "Blood Diamond." Ultimately consumers will be the ones that determine what format provides the greatest value.
The war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD is evolving into a battle that is being fought behind the scenes. The idea that the consumer will be the one to decide the winner of the format war is an illusion. Forget about features, price, technology — none of that matters anymore. It's now about smoke and mirrors.

The format war will be won by partnerships, because an HD-DVD player will not come out on top if nobody can find it. And Microsoft's Xbox 360 HD-DVD add-on will not be the saving grace for the format. Consumers, Ma and Pa, will want a stand-alone player, not a gaming console.

The problem with the format war now, is that it is fighting on three fronts; in North America, in Europe and in Japan.

In North America, we hear about Blu-ray sales doing well; Digital Entertainment Group (a group that promotes both formats) says 1.5 million Blu-ray players have been sold in the U.S. (1.4 million of those players were PlayStation 3 consoles). HD-DVD, on the other hand, has only sold 300,000 HD-DVD players according to Digital Entertainment Group (and half of those are the external HD-DVD drive that comes with the Xbox 360). Sony's PS3 has been an enormous success for Blu-ray in North America.

But in Europe, the game is much different, as HD-DVD stand-alone players have outsold Blu-ray three-to-one according to Reuters.

And finally, the mess is made more confusing by executives who spin numbers to make them look like they are out ahead; take a look at how HD-DVD exec Ken Graffeo spins increased sales percentage to sound like Toshiba has sold more units in total than Blu-ray competitors. He notes how HD-DVD sales are up 37 per cent while Blu-ray is down 27 per cent. Of course he's paid to spin the numbers to sound great, but when you aren't working with real numbers of units shipped, a percentage increase or decrease means absolutely nothing. Total unit sales are all that matters.

And so we leave you, Mr. and Mrs. consumer in a tricky spot: The bad news is that it's still not quite over, and both Blu-ray and HD-DVD teams have so much money invested in winning that they will do whatever it takes to win — even if it means deceiving or confusing you to the point where you think you should be locked up in a padded room out of sheer frustration. Numbers are twisted almost everywhere they are reported and the talking heads from both sides spew more emissions than coal-fired plants.

But the good news is, perhaps we are all lucky Blu-ray is strong-arming the industry from behind the scenes. At least it will put an end to this battle and we can all pick up a Blu-ray player knowing it won't be obsolete in six months.

That is, until another format emerges.

Great picture!!!

[Blu Tiger]

Originally Posted by blu_world

Sony appears to have bought an end cap (referring to Target's decision), just as HD DVD has in retail stores such as BestBuy and Circuit City.

What do they mean by that? Does HD DVD have some sort of agreement with BB and CC?

[BStecke]

Originally Posted by blu_world

The Beginning of the End for HD DVD







This week, retail giant Target announced it will only carry the Sony-backed Blu-ray format through the lucrative holiday shopping season, dealing a huge blow to Toshiba right between the HD-DVD players. Target is the second largest retailer in the United States.

This is the part that could be misleading.

[buckshot]

what this does show is that retailers are unwilling to carry hd dvd players in their in store warehouses (back rooms) maybe they even get the players shipped from the manufacturer online so they never have to touch them. space is very valuable in store. so to not even carry something in store shows how little it adds to sales.

[necrio]

Originally Posted by Aygie

I know we're talking about players here and not Discs but these figures are interesting:

Play.com:
Blu Ray Pre-orders available - 59
HD-DVD Pre - orders available - 17

Amazon.co.uk - Amount Available
Blu Ray - 728 (Not sure if this includes Games, pretty sure it doesn't)
HD-DVD - 599

Senit.com - Amount Available
Bluray - 148
HD - DVD - 95

Play and Amazon are the biggest European websites and they both seem to be focusing on Blu, so even if there is more HDDVD players being sold (doubt it reuters) people will (hopefully) soon release on how much their missing out on. Just a thought.

www.axelmusic.com is pretty damn big in europe, most and hd-dvd has been in the lead or tied a long while now.

[CptGreedle]

Originally Posted by Blu Tiger

What do they mean by that? Does HD DVD have some sort of agreement with BB and CC?

No they don't/ That is just more spin, smoke and mirrors. They say that because their discs are often displayed at the end of the aisles to promote the format, but they do that with Blu-ray just as much. In fact, the BB near me has more BD on the end of aisles than HD-DVD.
There is no exclusivity or contract saying they must put them there as far as I know.