Blockbuster to focus on Blu-Ray... - Club CDFreaks

soneman · 19-06-2007

I saw this on the bbc.co.uk website:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbc.co.uk

Film rental firm Blockbuster is to rent high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray format at 1,450 US stores.

The move is viewed as a blow for the rival Toshiba-backed HD DVD format - which has been battling against the Blu-ray format, supported by Sony.

Blockbuster said that consumers have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD in the 250 stores where both were available.

The limited choice of titles in the HD DVD format was also a factor in focusing on Blu-ray, Blockbuster said.

"The consumers are sending us a message. I can't ignore what I'm seeing," Matthew Smith, senior vice president of merchandising at Blockbusters, told the Associated Press news agency.

Mr Smith added that most studios were offering films on Blu-ray, with the exception of Universal which has been supplying films on HD DVD alone.

The North American HD DVD Promotional Group said Blockbuster's move was short sighted, and had been prompted by the success of films released exclusively in the Blu-ray format in early 2007 such as Casino Royale and Spider Man.

"I think trying to make a format decision using such a short time period is really not measuring what the consumer is saying," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the group.

The HD DVD format will still be available at Blockbuster in 250 of its stores as well as via the internet.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6762621.stm

I've already seen this policy being implemented in the UK myself in my local Blockbuster store. They have started to stock Blu-Ray titles for rental or purchase but no HD-DVDs in sight at all.

Interesting stuff.

*Jedi Master Yoda* · 20-06-2007

I reckon sony gives them backhanders, im mean blockbusters seem to love sony. 1. They hire out twice as meny PS2 games than any other console and keep lots of older games for hire on the PS2 but not much for anything else 2. They never hired out handheld console games, if i recall it was something to do with people might switch a dud cart for a good one or something like that yet when the PSP comes out low and behold they start renting PSP games.

You may also have noticed that Blu-Ray titles was out before the PS3 came out yet they did'nt start renting Blu-Ray titles till after the PS3 come out.

*Bob* · 20-06-2007

That would really suck

**jwill427** · 20-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Master Yoda

I reckon sony gives them backhanders, im mean blockbusters seem to love sony. 1. They hire out twice as meny PS2 games than any other console and keep lots of older games for hire on the PS2 but not much for anything else 2. They never hired out handheld console games, if i recall it was something to do with people might switch a dud cart for a good one or something like that yet when the PSP comes out low and behold they start renting PSP games.

You may also have noticed that Blu-Ray titles was out before the PS3 came out yet they did'nt start renting Blu-Ray titles till after the PS3 come out.

my local BB's carried gameboy color and advance titles, I'm not sure about DS though, I haven't really paid attention to the games at BB lately, they're too damn expensive to be worth renting now.

I actually think its great that they decided to be blue ray exclusive, maybe the format war will be over soon, and perhaps the technically superior format will win for a change

*Jedi Master Yoda* · 20-06-2007

All the blockbusters here in the uk i have ever looked in have never had handheld games except for PSP. What they rent in the usa must very to what they rent here.

soneman · 20-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Master Yoda

I reckon sony gives them backhanders, im mean blockbusters seem to love sony. 1. They hire out twice as meny PS2 games than any other console and keep lots of older games for hire on the PS2 but not much for anything else 2. They never hired out handheld console games, if i recall it was something to do with people might switch a dud cart for a good one or something like that yet when the PSP comes out low and behold they start renting PSP games.

You may also have noticed that Blu-Ray titles was out before the PS3 came out yet they did'nt start renting Blu-Ray titles till after the PS3 come out.

You've got a point there.

I don't agree with the point you made about the PS2 games though.

You must remember that the PS2 is the most popular games console at the moment (despite the release of the Xbox 360 and the PS3) and has been for a long time. So it makes sense to bring out as many titles as possible for the PS2 for rental.

Blockbuster are just like any other company - they wanna make money but they're not gonna offer specific titles or games for rental that no one wants.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Master Yoda

All the blockbusters here in the uk i have ever looked in have never had handheld games except for PSP. What they rent in the usa must very to what they rent here.

Again, the PSP is more popular than the Nintendo DS. From the noises that I've been hearing, the PSP is now becoming a real competitor to the iPod. And that's really saying something.

I truly believe that Blockbuster have been doing their homework on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwill427

I actually think its great that they decided to be blue ray exclusive, maybe the format war will be over soon, and perhaps the technically superior format will win for a change

Agreed.

I tend to rent a lot of DVD movie titles from my local Blockbuster store as well as games and I do plan on getting a PS3 in a couple of years time so Blockbuster's decision to stock Blu-Ray titles over HD-DVD titles would be more than welcomed by someone like me.

*Jedi Master Yoda* · 21-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by soneman

Again, the PSP is more popular than the Nintendo DS. From the noises that I've been hearing, the PSP is now becoming a real competitor to the iPod. And that's really saying something.

Not to try and start a argument but last i heard the DS out sells the PSP. But anyway even before the PSP you had the GBA and GBA SP which were both popular but they never once rented games out for them.

A wouldn't agree with the PSP being a competitor for the Ipod, ive heard the sound quality on both and the Ipod sounds alot better.

Alot of this popularity that you hear about especially on the net on the PS2 and PSP is hyped up by fan boys.

I personally think they should rent HD-DVD's aswell, i mean what about all the people that have bought the 360 HD-DVD Drive, Blockbuster should really cater for everyone, i mean you dont see HMV etc... excluding something because it may not sell quite aswell as something else.

*Bob* · 21-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Master Yoda

I personally think they should rent HD-DVD's aswell, i mean what about all the people that have bought the 360 HD-DVD Drive, Blockbuster should really cater for everyone, i mean you dont see HMV etc... excluding something because it may not sell quite aswell as something else.

yeah i think this will hurt their business.

Most all rental stores in the USA rent both. At least where i live.

**alan1476** · 21-06-2007

If you read this article the DS outsells the PSP by 3 to 1.

http://nintendo.about.com/library/dswins/bldspsp1.htm

Metrock · 21-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan1476

If you read this article the DS outsells the PSP by 3 to 1.

http://nintendo.about.com/library/dswins/bldspsp1.htm

DS ftw! I own one lol

*zebadee* · 21-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Master Yoda

All the blockbusters here in the uk i have ever looked in have never had handheld games except for PSP. What they rent in the usa must very to what they rent here.

Hi

Change branches.
I'm in the UK & my local BB has them all.

Not that I use any. I'm still at the Best of MS Arcade on floppies stage when it comes to gaming.

soneman · 21-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Master Yoda

Not to try and start a argument but last i heard the DS out sells the PSP. But anyway even before the PSP you had the GBA and GBA SP which were both popular but they never once rented games out for them.

A wouldn't agree with the PSP being a competitor for the Ipod, ive heard the sound quality on both and the Ipod sounds alot better.

Alot of this popularity that you hear about especially on the net on the PS2 and PSP is hyped up by fan boys.

I personally think they should rent HD-DVD's aswell, i mean what about all the people that have bought the 360 HD-DVD Drive, Blockbuster should really cater for everyone, i mean you dont see HMV etc... excluding something because it may not sell quite aswell as something else.

The DS might be outselling it at the moment, that's probably true.

But according to the BBC, PSP sales are growing steadily at the moment. And they reckon the sales growth has come about because of the PSP's multimedia features.

When I come to think of it, I think I do remember seeing some DS games available in my local Blockbuster. Not that many though.

They also don't seem to have any Wii games for rental yet either. 360 games are there for rental though but they're expensive, as you'd expect.

**alan1476** · 22-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebadee

Hi

Change branches.
I'm in the UK & my local BB has them all.

Not that I use any. I'm still at the Best of MS Arcade on floppies stage when it comes to gaming.

Hey Zebs have you tried Pac Man yet? LOL

**agent009** · 22-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan1476

Hey Zebs have you tried Pac Man yet? LOL

Shhh. Don't give him any ideas... one day he may discover mid-80s vintage Tetris. Do you know how dangerous that can be?

I quote: "We are writing to warn the MIT community of a deadly new addiction being seen on campus. This is none other than compulsive "Tetris" playing. This computer game may seem innocent at first, but it quickly develops into a mind-numbing habit. Players neglect their social lives, their school work, and their families in a never-ending quest to improve their "Tetris" skills. This insidious electronic villain has invaded personal computers, workstations, and even the Student Center Committee Gameroom. Only by quitting cold turkey can a "Tetris" player resume his/her normal lifestyle. Just say NO to "Tetris"."
[http://www-tech.mit.edu/V109/N24/townse.24o.html]

Blodulv · 22-06-2007

people arent renting hddvds or did sony pay blockbuster to only rent out blu-ray?

**jwill427** · 22-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blodulv

people arent renting hddvds or did sony pay blockbuster to only rent out blu-ray?

they had 250 test stores that carried both hddvd and bluray and over 70% rented bluray vs hd-dvd, those 250 stores will continue to carry both, and they will also carry both online

simple · 23-06-2007

the manager of my local blockbuster told me they would not be stocking HD DVD for a while as they struck a deal with sony and the ps3 but it may change in the future , but to be honest they are over priced anyways, the internet is the best bet from as little as 13 quid

**alan1476** · 24-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by simple

the manager of my local blockbuster told me they would not be stocking HD DVD for a while as they struck a deal with sony and the ps3 but it may change in the future , but to be honest they are over priced anyways, the internet is the best bet from as little as 13 quid

Like I know how much 13 quid is? LOL. Hi Simple

simple · 25-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan1476

Like I know how much 13 quid is? LOL. Hi Simple

LOL... ABOUT $25.98

20-06-2007	#2 (permalink)
Jedi Master Yoda CDFreaks Resident Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere Out There Posts: 859	Re: Blockbuster to focus on Blu-Ray... I reckon sony gives them backhanders, im mean blockbusters seem to love sony. 1. They hire out twice as meny PS2 games than any other console and keep lots of older games for hire on the PS2 but not much for anything else 2. They never hired out handheld console games, if i recall it was something to do with people might switch a dud cart for a good one or something like that yet when the PSP comes out low and behold they start renting PSP games. You may also have noticed that Blu-Ray titles was out before the PS3 came out yet they did'nt start renting Blu-Ray titles till after the PS3 come out. __________________ Following the trend.. Drives... LiteOn DH-20A4P 9P59 Plextor Premium 2 1.03 Pioneer DVR-111D 1.29 Lite-On SOHR 5239V 2$0E (2nd pc) Aopen 1648/AAP Pro 1.04 (in pvr) Samsung SH-D162C Kreons 0.81 (In External Case) Retired... Lite-On LH-20A1H LL0D (no longer working properly) Pioneer DVR-109XLC1 1.58 - Conked out... Lite-On SHW-16H5S LS0W (retired, not working properly with cds) Plextor PX-W2410A 1.04 PC Spec... Gigabyte K8N Pro SLi, AMD 64 X2 3800+, 2GB G.Skill PC3200 ( CL 2-3-2-5,) Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic, MSI 7800GTX, OCZ Modstream 520W, Seagate 120GB x2 + 320GB Sata HDD, Artic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro Internet..... Be Unlimited ... up to 24 meg

20-06-2007	#3 (permalink)
Bob I donated to the Tsunami fund and all I got was this lousy title Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Looking for my zigzags ~ I come from the no place and i go to the no where Posts: 16,288	Re: Blockbuster to focus on Blu-Ray... That would really suck __________________ "You've got a hole in your soul if you don't dig the Blues" .....My New Build is Finished. Click HERE to join CDFreaks.com Keith Richards ~ "If You Want The Last Laugh........Join The Rolling Stones"

20-06-2007	#5 (permalink)
Jedi Master Yoda CDFreaks Resident Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Somewhere Out There Posts: 859	Re: Blockbuster to focus on Blu-Ray... All the blockbusters here in the uk i have ever looked in have never had handheld games except for PSP. What they rent in the usa must very to what they rent here. __________________ Following the trend.. Drives... LiteOn DH-20A4P 9P59 Plextor Premium 2 1.03 Pioneer DVR-111D 1.29 Lite-On SOHR 5239V 2$0E (2nd pc) Aopen 1648/AAP Pro 1.04 (in pvr) Samsung SH-D162C Kreons 0.81 (In External Case) Retired... Lite-On LH-20A1H LL0D (no longer working properly) Pioneer DVR-109XLC1 1.58 - Conked out... Lite-On SHW-16H5S LS0W (retired, not working properly with cds) Plextor PX-W2410A 1.04 PC Spec... Gigabyte K8N Pro SLi, AMD 64 X2 3800+, 2GB G.Skill PC3200 ( CL 2-3-2-5,) Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic, MSI 7800GTX, OCZ Modstream 520W, Seagate 120GB x2 + 320GB Sata HDD, Artic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro Internet..... Be Unlimited ... up to 24 meg

21-06-2007	#9 (permalink)
alan1476 Moderator & Software Editor Join Date: May 2005 Location: Watching you Posts: 12,802	Re: Blockbuster to focus on Blu-Ray... If you read this article the DS outsells the PSP by 3 to 1. http://nintendo.about.com/library/dswins/bldspsp1.htm __________________ I do not provide technical support over E-mail or Private Message Please post your questions on the Forum Sign up to CD Freaks Register Here FORUM RULES Need some help ? Please use our search function first Join us on the CDFreaks Folding@Home Team! Read more here Get WinDWFlash HERE My Computer specs are HERE

22-06-2007	#15 (permalink)
Blodulv CD Freaks Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Stop Snitching Posts: 665	Re: Blockbuster to focus on Blu-Ray... people arent renting hddvds or did sony pay blockbuster to only rent out blu-ray?

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23-06-2007	#17 (permalink)
simple CD Freaks Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 271	Re: Blockbuster to focus on Blu-Ray... the manager of my local blockbuster told me they would not be stocking HD DVD for a while as they struck a deal with sony and the ps3 but it may change in the future , but to be honest they are over priced anyways, the internet is the best bet from as little as 13 quid __________________ INTEL Q6600 GO STEPPING ,, CORSAIR XMS 2 GIG ,, COOLERMASTER COSMOS CASE,, INTEL EXTREME MOBO ,, 500 GIG SATA ,, 200 GIG IDE MAC DRIVE 7...ALWAYS READY TO UPGRADE

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