From: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/02/11/netflix_blu_ray/
Online video rental outfit Netflix has raised its colours in the Blu-ray camp by announcing it will stop buying new HD DVD discs and phase out existing stock by "about the end of the year".
Online video rental outfit Netflix has raised its colours in the Blu-ray camp by announcing it will stop buying new HD DVD discs and phase out existing stock by "about the end of the year".
According to Reuters, Netflix has stocked both hi-def formats since they joined battle back in 2006, but says that recent announcements by major studios that they would only publish on Sony's Blu-ray represents "a clear signal from the industry".
Blu-ray now boasts support from Disney, Fox, Lionsgate, MGM, Sony and Warner, while solely Universal and Paramount continue to release exclusively to HD DVD - "for now", as Sony's Blu-ray site puts it.
As well as limited studio support, HD DVD has suffered some serious body blows recently, including Woolworths' announcement earlier this month it would also stock exclusively Blu-ray.
Blu-ray now boasts support from Disney, Fox, Lionsgate, MGM, Sony and Warner, while solely Universal and Paramount continue to release exclusively to HD DVD - "for now", as Sony's Blu-ray site puts it.
As well as limited studio support, HD DVD has suffered some serious body blows recently, including Woolworths' announcement earlier this month it would also stock exclusively Blu-ray.
First Blockbuster and now Netflix. Yep, HD-DVD is pretty much dead.
I also read that Best Buy will continue selling both for a while yet, but their informing their employees to recommend Blu-Ray when a customer asks which technology to buy.
Not to change the topic, but I didn't even know that Woolworth's was still in business! :|
I think they closed all their US stores, but they're still very popular in the UK.
Well, at least my HD-DVD player is still great at upscaling.
They're selling regular DVD players with the upscaling technology they've been putting in HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players. So, the average consumer with an HDTV probably should just go buy a $100 regular DVD player with good built-in upscaling and wait 18 to 24 months for Blu-Ray player prices to get a little more sane.
I have a Blu-Ray player and I rent Blu-Rays from Blockbuster and Netflix (why not, it costs the same as the older ones), but I haven't purchased any yet because I don't think they're worth the $25 to $30 price tag. So, all the movies I own are standard DVDs as I imagine is the case for most people with next gen players (be it BR or HD).
If Blu-Ray players would drop down to the cost of HD-DVD players, then HD-DVD would truly be dead. However, right now I don't think most people can justify the cost.
That's Sony for you.
Well, based on other news today, things look pretty grim for HD-DVD. It's a shame, as I'm not aware of Blu-Ray having a dual format SD/HD disc as HD-DVD does.
Wal-Mart just dropped support for HD-DVD and "insiders" at Toshiba say the company *may* be dropping the product line altogether.