Blu-ray taking over in the UK - Blu-ray Forum

NutsAboutPS3 · 05-03-2007, 12:24 PM

The signs are everywhere, it's Blu-ray all the way.

HMV: Looked in my local HMV today, and their HD display used to be 50/50 Blu-ray/HD-DUD. Then it shifted to 60/40 in Blu-ray's favour. Now it's 70/30 in Blu-ray's favour. They've also produced a shiny leaflet "Guide to High Definition" which starts with Blu-ray and fills most of the leaflet with Blu-ray information, HD-DUD is mentioned but is relegated to a few pages at the back.

Blockbuster: Blu-ray available to buy and rent, HD-DUD nowhere in sight.

New Releases: (from play.com)
Blu-ray 7th May 6 titles. 14th May 13 titles. 21st May 6 titles. Total in next 3 weeks = 25 titles.
HD-DUD 7th May 7 titles. 14th May 1 title. 21st May 3 titles. Total in next 3 weeks = 11 titles.
Total release pipeline: Blu-ray 71 titles. HD-DUD 23 titles.

Reminds me of the Monty Python sketch about the parrot:
"It's not pinin', it's passed on! This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late parrot. It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed it to the perch it would be pushing up the daisies! It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible! This is an ex-parrot!"

Substitute HD-DUD for parrot and it sums it all up nicely.

BLu-Balls · 05-03-2007, 12:53 PM

I am happy to hear about the UK's early adoption to Blu-ray. I just wish that Canada wouldn't be treated like second class citizens in the race to have Blu-ray titles released on time by Warner Brothers. And that Blockbuster would get off their asses and started renting BD's in more major cities.

Maximus · 05-03-2007, 01:06 PM

Basically a lot of B&M stores have taken an unofficial position of Blu-ray support as they feel it is going to be better for business in the long-term if only one format survives.

You will see it more and more in August when a bunch of new standalones come out from Samsung, Sony, Pioneer and Panasonic. HD DVD will die pretty quickly in the UK as there are very few people who own players, they received good reviews from a PQ perspective, but in terms of reliability and build quality they were all trashed and here in the UK it counts for more than it does in the US. I never understood why people are willing to put up with substandard products, I'm not.

nhaase · 05-03-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxpower1987

Basically a lot of B&M stores have taken an unofficial position of Blu-ray support as they feel it is going to be better for business in the long-term if only one format survives.

One format helps them out, and don't forget that if you decide to carry both, which would you push more? I would push the one already doing better business (1.2 million discs in under a year).

Filterlab · 05-03-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutsAboutPS3

The signs are everywhere, it's Blu-ray all the way.

HMV: Looked in my local HMV today, and their HD display used to be 50/50 Blu-ray/HD-DUD. Then it shifted to 60/40 in Blu-ray's favour. Now it's 70/30 in Blu-ray's favour. They've also produced a shiny leaflet "Guide to High Definition" which starts with Blu-ray and fills most of the leaflet with Blu-ray information, HD-DUD is mentioned but is relegated to a few pages at the back.

Blockbuster: Blu-ray available to buy and rent, HD-DUD nowhere in sight.

I noticed these two as well, especially the first. HD-DVDs are slowly edging out ot the door in the HMV in Kingston-upon-Thames.

Shin-Ra · 05-03-2007, 02:53 PM

I hope they've got the PS3 display running in that Bentall Centre HMV now, the PS3 was on but the screen wasn't when I was there on April 4th.

Filterlab · 05-03-2007, 03:03 PM

Yes, they're a highly organised bunch there aren't they?! LOL!

The damn escalator is still broken too.

Have you seen the girl who works there? Her name's Summer. I swear she is the nicest person I've ever met! Look out for her.

Blu_Ray_UK2007 · 05-03-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filterlab

I noticed these two as well, especially the first. HD-DVDs are slowly edging out ot the door in the HMV in Kingston-upon-Thames.

Last time I was in Kingston they had about 5 HD-DVDs!!

But I said, before the PS3 came out.. once the PS3 hits.. so will BR.

The only place to get a decent selection of HD-DVD's over here now is online.

We just need more high street shops selling them.. Woolowrths, Tesco.....

As for HMV being disorganised.. have you been to the tesco in east molesey lately?? Jesus...

dobyblue · 05-03-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLu-Balls

I am happy to hear about the UK's early adoption to Blu-ray. I just wish that Canada wouldn't be treated like second class citizens in the race to have Blu-ray titles released on time by Warner Brothers. And that Blockbuster would get off their asses and started renting BD's in more major cities.

The Lake St. St. Catharines Blockbuster just got their Blu-ray and HD DVD sections up last week!

Filterlab · 05-03-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu_Ray_UK2007

As for HMV being disorganised.. have you been to the tesco in east molesey lately?? Jesus...

Yep indeed. However, Pardeep has been away on holiday, and between him and Karen they hold the place together. He's back now though.

Whereabouts in Molesey are you? Crazy small world! Btw, my copy of Planet Earth is due either Saturday or Monday.

Blu_Ray_UK2007 · 05-03-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filterlab

Yep indeed. However, Pardeep has been away on holiday, and between him and Karen they hold the place together. He's back now though.

Whereabouts in Molesey are you? Crazy small world! Btw, my copy of Planet Earth is due either Saturday or Monday.

Tis strange that someone else in this bland town even knows what BR is!!

Avern Road btw..

WriteSimply · 05-03-2007, 11:42 PM

Per the news that HD-DVD is slowly being taken over by BD in the UK, all I got to say to that is, "Am I bovvered?"

fuad

MyXBR3isMygf · 05-04-2007, 04:39 AM

Is Blockbuster bluray exclusive for rentals all over the UK? Or just in particular stores?

Filterlab · 05-04-2007, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu_Ray_UK2007

Tis strange that someone else in this bland town even knows what BR is!!

Avern Road btw..

I don't know, I think it's quite a charming little place.

I can practically see your house from here, I'm in Park Road.

NutsAboutPS3 · 05-04-2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyXBR3isMygf

Is Blockbuster bluray exclusive for rentals all over the UK? Or just in particular stores?

I think I read somewhere that they're Blu-ray exclusive throughout the UK, but I've only looked in two of them (both are Blu-ray exclusive).

Blu_Ray_UK2007 · 05-04-2007, 11:40 AM

Yeah blockbuster is BR exclusive nationwide.

Cartesian · 05-04-2007, 12:45 PM

Agreed. The Hi Def rack in HMV in Canary Wharf (London) has 3 shelves of BD, and 1 (the bottom) of HD-DVD. I was in today & noticed some bloke looking at the HD-DVDs. Thought "Yeah! Get on the floor, where you belong!!"

Filterlab · 05-04-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cartesian

Thought "Yeah! Get on the floor, where you belong!!"

LOL!

Darn straight.

Welcome by the way.

Blu_Ray_UK2007 · 05-04-2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cartesian

Agreed. The Hi Def rack in HMV in Canary Wharf (London) has 3 shelves of BD, and 1 (the bottom) of HD-DVD. I was in today & noticed some bloke looking at the HD-DVDs. Thought "Yeah! Get on the floor, where you belong!!"

ROFL this post made me chuckle!

dialog_gvf · 05-04-2007, 05:19 PM

Great news regaring BD in the UK.

05-03-2007, 12:24 PM	#1
NutsAboutPS3 Expert Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:UK Blu-ray reviews:1	Blu-ray taking over in the UK The signs are everywhere, it's Blu-ray all the way. HMV: Looked in my local HMV today, and their HD display used to be 50/50 Blu-ray/HD-DUD. Then it shifted to 60/40 in Blu-ray's favour. Now it's 70/30 in Blu-ray's favour. They've also produced a shiny leaflet "Guide to High Definition" which starts with Blu-ray and fills most of the leaflet with Blu-ray information, HD-DUD is mentioned but is relegated to a few pages at the back. Blockbuster: Blu-ray available to buy and rent, HD-DUD nowhere in sight. New Releases: (from play.com) Blu-ray 7th May 6 titles. 14th May 13 titles. 21st May 6 titles. Total in next 3 weeks = 25 titles. HD-DUD 7th May 7 titles. 14th May 1 title. 21st May 3 titles. Total in next 3 weeks = 11 titles. Total release pipeline: Blu-ray 71 titles. HD-DUD 23 titles. Reminds me of the Monty Python sketch about the parrot: "It's not pinin', it's passed on! This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late parrot. It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed it to the perch it would be pushing up the daisies! It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible! This is an ex-parrot!" Substitute HD-DUD for parrot and it sums it all up nicely.

05-03-2007, 03:03 PM	#7
Filterlab Senior Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:East Molesey, Surrey, UK	Yes, they're a highly organised bunch there aren't they?! LOL! The damn escalator is still broken too. Have you seen the girl who works there? Her name's Summer. I swear she is the nicest person I've ever met! Look out for her. Last edited by Filterlab; 05-03-2007 at 03:21 PM.

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05-03-2007, 12:53 PM	#2
BLu-Balls Expert Member Member since:Dec 2006 Location:TO Canada Blu-ray collection:867 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 10	I am happy to hear about the UK's early adoption to Blu-ray. I just wish that Canada wouldn't be treated like second class citizens in the race to have Blu-ray titles released on time by Warner Brothers. And that Blockbuster would get off their asses and started renting BD's in more major cities.

05-03-2007, 01:06 PM	#3
Maximus Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2006	Basically a lot of B&M stores have taken an unofficial position of Blu-ray support as they feel it is going to be better for business in the long-term if only one format survives. You will see it more and more in August when a bunch of new standalones come out from Samsung, Sony, Pioneer and Panasonic. HD DVD will die pretty quickly in the UK as there are very few people who own players, they received good reviews from a PQ perspective, but in terms of reliability and build quality they were all trashed and here in the UK it counts for more than it does in the US. I never understood why people are willing to put up with substandard products, I'm not.

05-03-2007, 02:53 PM	#6
Shin-Ra Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Feb 2007 Blu-ray collection:5 Trading Score:1	I hope they've got the PS3 display running in that Bentall Centre HMV now, the PS3 was on but the screen wasn't when I was there on April 4th.

05-03-2007, 11:42 PM	#12
WriteSimply Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Per the news that HD-DVD is slowly being taken over by BD in the UK, all I got to say to that is, "Am I bovvered?" fuad

05-04-2007, 04:39 AM	#13
MyXBR3isMygf Active Member Member since:Nov 2006	Is Blockbuster bluray exclusive for rentals all over the UK? Or just in particular stores?

05-04-2007, 11:40 AM	#16
Blu_Ray_UK2007 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Feb 2007 Location:UK 4K collection:164 Blu-ray collection:782 Trading Score:1	Yeah blockbuster is BR exclusive nationwide.

05-04-2007, 12:45 PM	#17
Cartesian Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:London, UK	Agreed. The Hi Def rack in HMV in Canary Wharf (London) has 3 shelves of BD, and 1 (the bottom) of HD-DVD. I was in today & noticed some bloke looking at the HD-DVDs. Thought "Yeah! Get on the floor, where you belong!!"

05-04-2007, 05:19 PM	#20
dialog_gvf Moderator Member since:Nov 2006 Location:Toronto Blu-ray collection:320	Great news regaring BD in the UK.

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