Will Blockbuster change its mind on Blu-ray?

[HDTV1080P]

The fact is Blockbuster is still only supporting BLU-RAY in all stores accept for around 250 stores that carry both formats. Blockbuster might still stay BLU-RAY exclusive in all new stores. Now if the BLU-RAY camp were to loose another studio like Warner to HD-DVD then most likely Blockbuster would stock both BLU-RAY and HD-DVD discs.

Support your local Blockbuster and rent a BLU-RAY disc at least once a week.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/2007/08/will-blockbuster-change-its-mind-on-blu.html

[Steverhcp02]

i rent two a week. My girlfriend an dI just went last night and the 5 sections were extremely picked over. Perfect Stranger, Wild Hogs, 300, Blood Diamond and literally 20 or so older releases........we both thought it was strange since it had never been like that before.

I dont like anecdotal evidence, but this was the first time (besides the obvious endcaps right at the entrance to CC and BB) that i have seen something in my area.

[Amon37]

In my store in the super expanded BD section they have a sign that says

"The future of Hi-Def" and then the BD logo.

[marzetta7]

In short. No, I don't think so.

[Galley]

I've got 139 BDs in my queue, and only 10 DVDs. Guess what format they keep sending me.

[stephenj]

Like all companies, Blockbuster will change if events warrant it. If HD-DVD keeps gaining ground with consumers and studios, then yes, they will cave to that demand.

As will even the most fervent BD supporters here, should HD-DVD win the war. Ultimately, we're all hi-def movie fans first, format supporters second.

We all have our bail-out point, it's just a question of where it is.

[Teazle]

My Blockbuster stocks 56 BDs and 56 HD-DVDs (seven rows of eight columns for each). Every now and then they update a few titles, like when they pulled an extra copy of Kingdom of Heaven to squeeze in a triplicate of 300. When I go in I sometimes take a quick glance to see how many titles of each format are out on rental. It's usually around 8 - 14 for BD and 0 - 4 for HD-DVD. I've never seen more than 4 HD-DVDs checked out, ever.

Lately I've been renting around 6 - 8 titles each month (combined movies and PS3 games depending on what they have in).

Addendum: It bears repeating that sometimes it really is absolutely zero for HD-DVD at this BB.

[buckshot]

I didn't realize how busy some blockbusters are. usually I go at odd times. but the last 3 times their parking lots have been full and there's been a lot of people in line. i'm going to stop by their after work.

[skubrick]

I read that article this morning, and it didn't worry me at all. I work at a Blockbuster carrying Blu-Rays in Lincoln, NE. And I don't see BB losing interest in BluRay.

To preface...
We got about 170 BD's to start in early July. It took about four weeks to get any new ones, 'Premonition' being the first sent with the New Release shipment. And ever since then we usually get one or two new movies per week on BD. We've never had more than a single copy of a title to rent on BD, even 300

And with about 180 titles, we often have as little as 10 checked out during the week and as much as 35 - 40 on weekends. There are three of us employees who usually rent BD's every week, so take us out of the mix and not many get rented. But that's mostly because most people still don't know what it is. We get people asking daily 'what's blu-ray?'

Since early July, we've had only one person, to my knowledge ask why we don't carry HD-DVD's, and several people express their 'thanks' that we decided to carry BD's.

Although it's been slow to catch on, I think the demand is definitely increasing. Customers can rent BD's on the movie pass. And online exchanges work for BD's. I'm not sure if coupons work for them. I haven't tried it, yet.

Overall, I DON'T think Blockbuster will pick up HD-DVD. The demand just isn't there. And I DON'T think they will get rid of BD's any time soon. It would be stupid to offer them for a while, then get rid of them and people would have to go back to SD's. And BB is VERY slow at making changes on a corporate level. Still, nothing to my knowledge has been communicated internally regarding the Paramount deal. The higher-ups know, of course. But it's like they don't care. BB won't change anything unless something MAJOR happens.

What worries me more is that article on tvpredictions about the $199 HD-DVD player from Canada.

Still, I'll remain faithful that BR is in control as long as we keep the original 4 studios. I mean, honestly, I think Disney could make their own format, and even if they were the only ones distributing on it, people would still buy it. Don't underestimate the power of the Disney.

[JaysDomain]

Originally Posted by skubrick

I read that article this morning, and it didn't worry me at all. I work at a Blockbuster carrying Blu-Rays in Lincoln, NE. And I don't see BB losing interest in BluRay.

To preface...
We got about 170 BD's to start in early July. It took about four weeks to get any new ones, 'Premonition' being the first sent with the New Release shipment. And ever since then we usually get one or two new movies per week on BD. We've never had more than a single copy of a title to rent on BD, even 300

And with about 180 titles, we often have as little as 10 checked out during the week and as much as 35 - 40 on weekends. There are three of us employees who usually rent BD's every week, so take us out of the mix and not many get rented. But that's mostly because most people still don't know what it is. We get people asking daily 'what's blu-ray?'

Since early July, we've had only one person, to my knowledge ask why we don't carry HD-DVD's, and several people express their 'thanks' that we decided to carry BD's.

Although it's been slow to catch on, I think the demand is definitely increasing. Customers can rent BD's on the movie pass. And online exchanges work for BD's. I'm not sure if coupons work for them. I haven't tried it, yet.

Overall, I DON'T think Blockbuster will pick up HD-DVD. The demand just isn't there. And I DON'T think they will get rid of BD's any time soon. It would be stupid to offer them for a while, then get rid of them and people would have to go back to SD's. And BB is VERY slow at making changes on a corporate level. Still, nothing to my knowledge has been communicated internally regarding the Paramount deal. The higher-ups know, of course. But it's like they don't care. BB won't change anything unless something MAJOR happens.

What worries me more is that article on tvpredictions about the $199 HD-DVD player from Canada.

Still, I'll remain faithful that BR is in control as long as we keep the original 4 studios. I mean, honestly, I think Disney could make their own format, and even if they were the only ones distributing on it, people would still buy it. Don't underestimate the power of the Disney.

I agree 100%

[GasCat]

I know for a fact they are getting a large number of movies ripped off from them. If someone is selling just the disc or without the case then it came from Blockbuster. I would hope they have a very sweet deal going for getting copies.

[TruBlu2]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

The fact is Blockbuster is still only supporting BLU-RAY in all stores accept for around 250 stores that carry both formats. Blockbuster might still stay BLU-RAY exclusive in all new stores. Now if the BLU-RAY camp were to loose another studio like Warner to HD-DVD then most likely Blockbuster would stock both BLU-RAY and HD-DVD discs.

Support your local Blockbuster and rent a BLU-RAY disc at least once a week.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/2007/08/will-blockbuster-change-its-mind-on-blu.html

"We found that, at this point, Blu-ray is worth the shelf space, and HD DVD is not." - Matth
ew Smith, Blockbuster SVP Merchandising

[supersix4]

ill try but I own almost all the ones I want lol