Analyst have
suspected that much of this has been in the works since
Warner went Blu and VB has given a number of retailers a call and discovered that this is just the case. It seems most retailers have been preparing for the end of the format war since Warner's announcement just before CES, but now that things are officially over, retailers aren't wasting any time. Some of the big boys in retail like
Wal-Mart,
Best Buy and
Netflix, were quick to make their intentions known before
Toshiba gave the word, but the rest are falling in line quickly and we're not just talking about
Amazon and DVD Empire, but smaller retailers around the country like Texas electronics store Bjorn's which is getting more creative and allowing its customers
to return HD DVD players for store credit towards a Blu-ray player. Some retailers immediately returned its stock for credit while others have marked it as clearance and are quick to communicate to its customers that HD DVD is to be discontinued. Whatever the plans, one thing is for sure, most retailers knew this was coming long before some HD DVD fans did.
[Via
Format War Central]
posted Feb 23rd 2008 10:31AM
Best Buy hasn't dropped or clearanced their HD DVD stuff. I was just there yesterday, hoping to see just that, but it wasn't true... :(
Their player markdowns started this morning.
yawn
These days large successful retail outlets need to be able to turn over their inventory in a matter of weeks if not days. Don't expect to see HD DVD fire sales going on past the end of February.
The profit margins must be much higher on Blu-Ray players. Retailers always push you toward buying the product that makes them the most money obviously.
Blu-Ray players are a gateway drug to other even more expensive HD products, and retailers know this. Tell your kids to stay away from them.
??? like what ??? a proper 120hz 1080p hdtv? or maybe a lossless audio decoding av reciever like the str-dg2100?
if Blu-Ray is a gatteway drug, then give me my 47" crack right now.
"Some retailers immediately returned its stock for credit while others have marked it as clearance and are quick to communicate to its customers that HD DVD is to be discontinued."
How many employee's do you think actually tell the customer its a dead format? or if they do, explain exactly what it is....
Is there any point in theses posts anymore? I mean this is a given this would happen. HD DVD is no longer supported. Gosh, this post is almost as obvivios as the analyst that said the format war wasn't ended by the consumer. (unless the consumers paid for Fox to stay blu?) I guess this is a really slow news day. Why don't we report on things about the victor instead of the loser? I'm sure there are good and bad reports about Blu-ray. Go to it!
And EngadgetHD isn't wasting any time beating the shit out of that dead horse until it's nothing more than a pasty, red film.
The date for the EngadgetHD "Death to the HD DVD Anti-Christ" Festival will be announced shortly. There will lots of dancing around bonfires, chanting, and ritualistic destruction of HD DVD players, media, and possibly sacrifices of HD DVD supporters in an effort to further help to eradicate HD DVD off the face of the earth.
Special guest stars: HDPurist, h4ldol, Howard Stringer.
I would love an invitation to that party. Could I bring a guest?
We're already talking about HDpurist and h4ldol, and now you want to go *with a guest*! Jeez, how much more hatred and intolerance can one party handle? :P
Amazon.co.uk have this message.
--The future availability of HD-DVD discs is unknown; Amazon.co.uk will continue to stock HD-DVD players and discs for as long as they are available.
If you already own an HD-DVD player, you will be able to build your collection with the hundreds of titles already available on this format.--
How long until they change their mind on that.
I agree with someone above, my local BestBuy still has HD-DVD players at a premium price, side-by-side with Blu-Ray, trying to catch as many suckers as they can
Well, considering the BB has one of the most restrictive extended warranty plans, and the behavior of their repair center guys and geek squad guys... why should they suddenly act ethically and put the interests of their customers first?
I was just at Fry's today. Looks like they may be starting to push HD DVD out the door slowly. They had a large number of titles marked down to $14.99, but the size of the HD DVD section hasn't started shrinking... yet.
HD DVD? "....it's clear, but Blu-Ray just knocks it out of the box(store)." lol
Hollywood Video has all their HD-DVD marked to previously viewed for $14.99 or 2 for $20.
Yes that includes American Gangster and the 5 disc Blade Runner too!