Only the retailers can help save this format war now.

[tron3]

Block Buster already decided they would be blu-ray exclusive supporters.
While this is good news in the rental realm, it does little to deter HD-DVD as a viable selling product.

If more large retail outlets would say, "We will only carry blu-ray movies and players." this could force Paramount to back peddle. They will "fire" the executive responsible for that exclusive deal and re-support blu-ray. Or give him the chance to "change his mind". Why should he loose his job over something he would fix? He would be motivated to keep his job and make it up to us in some way.

Walmart has TONS of marketing influence. Love them or hate them, they can put your product on the map, or take it off. Now, if Walmart, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc would sell ONLY blu-ray players and movies, this would seal the fate of HD-DVD.

I'm not saying it should all go in the land fill. As I have been saying, dual format players will let them keep their current movies without eating the cost. It does little to prolong the life of HD-DVD movies if you know you will stop production of them in 6 months.

I'll say it again, don't kick HD-DVD adopters to the curb. Don't force them to loose hundreds or thousands of dollars in movie titles. Give them a trade-in and the sales of blu-ray movies will make up the difference. Penny wise and pound foolish, remember? Think longer term.

The stock holders can be saved if you convert the stock. Not sure how that works, but no one really has to get screwed here. Toshiba, I applaud your technology, it was the next natural step, but it was a step too small. You can maintain your dignity. I for one would not rub your nose in it. Your stiff competition helped convince people that blu-ray was a viable choice. Thus, helping it to take off. For that, we are all indebted to you.