Blockbuster stores boast for Blu-ray
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 18th 2007 at 9:30AM }
Blu-ray is the way for mega-rental chain Blockbuster video and their 1,450 stores when they go high-def next month, though they'll continue to offer HD DVD on their online service. The move comes as more consumers choose the Blu-ray format according to Blockbuster, which added that the choice was helped by the lopsided availability in high-def titles. Currently all major studios, except for Universal, support the Blu-ray format.It should also be noted that the Blu-ray player coming standard with the PS3 has helped move movies. Although the PS3 isn't selling fantastically, it does create a solid install base for the Blu-ray format compared to HD DVD players, which have to be purchased separately in the form of the Xbox 360 add-on or a dedicated player. We haven't really seen the inside of a Blockbuster store since 2002 (due to Netflix and GameFly) and it would be interesting to know if the online rental numbers (which would probably be more tech-forward renters) are the same as the stores. Once the online versions of Blockbuster and Netflix choose a side, then we'll have our answer to who's going to win this ridiculous format war.
[Via NextGen, Thanks Rob]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jeff @ Jun 18th 2007 9:33AM
Yeah...I stopped shopping at Blockbuster when they threatened to send me to collections for a $10 late fee. That was about 9 years ago. I don't miss it.
DBX00 @ Jun 18th 2007 9:39AM
The stores are still popular in more rural areas where you may decide to rent the movie because a group of people are coming to your home for a impromptu party. Regardless of how you cut it, Blockbuster is the largest player in the market and they've chosen a side because the consumer is renting Blu Ray 70% of the time over HD DVD. The war is almost over and as soon as they get this decided the price of the hardware should go down as more and more people purchase it.
Travis @ Jun 18th 2007 9:42AM
Very good summary of the story. Before anyone bashes Blockbuster for doing this, the key part is that it's only their physical stores and that 70% of high def movie rentals were in Blu-Ray format already. This is not Blockbuster forcing their choice on consumers, this was consumers making their choice clear to Blockbuster.
I doubt we'll see Netflix and Blockbuster Online make a choice one way or another. The great thing about the online services is the fact that they don't need to have shelve space in a store. I bet the online rental services will stick to both format until the very end (if not even after that).
sheppy @ Jun 18th 2007 9:44AM
Sooner the war is over, the better.
Adv2k1 @ Jun 18th 2007 9:47AM
netflix already is doing digital distrubution.
Arglor @ Jun 18th 2007 9:57AM
@3 very true.
Online stores will not make a decision till long long long after the decision has been made, because shelf space isn't a premium like it is inside the B&M stores.
The1 @ Jun 18th 2007 9:59AM
I said this on PS3FANBOY, I do not care what format Blockbuster supports. I want games for my PS3. Blu-Ray is not and will not sell a console as all NPD data shows.
chathampax @ Jun 18th 2007 10:09AM
This has no effect on the HD format war. First of all, hardly anyone rents HD movies at blockbuster. I go there on a weekly basis to ge tmy free in-store rental and I'm the only ever with my HD-DVD. I have never seen anyone rent a Blu-ray disc in the last 4 months. You know what's going to effect the format more? You guess it...porn. HD-DVD porn titles are starting to pop up. Blu-ray refuses to allow porn on their format. Don't underestimate the power of porn in all seriousness.
whosmav @ Jun 18th 2007 10:12AM
PC's rule. They'll use HD-DVD. I'ma burn all my media on to HD-DVD's. I need an HD-DVD player. Put it together.
poster @ Jun 18th 2007 10:13AM
Too bad blockbuster has been slowly dying for a few years now. And before anyone calls BS on that one, I was a store manager with them, so yes I know what I'm talking about. They are closing stores left and right, and the year I left they didn't give anyone in the company a raise for the entire year.
SuperMario21 @ Jun 18th 2007 10:40AM
Well, I still feel as though this whole HD-format war is going to end up like the beta-max war.
Michael Reining @ Jun 18th 2007 10:31AM
I just wanted to comment that I use Blockbuster online instead of Netflix because I recieve two coupons each month to rent games. So for the $19.95 monthly fee I feel it is a great deal. I rent Blu-Ray movies online and have rented every PS3 game so far for fee with my coupons. This is a huge bonus if I can start exchanging Blu-Ray movies I recieve in the mail at the store! Great Job Blockbuster!
iceatcs @ Jun 18th 2007 10:33AM
@chathampax
There are 3 Blu-ray porn titles to buy, same to HD-DVD too.
So no-one is winning for porn industry yet.
polly @ Jun 18th 2007 10:33AM
Seems like a waste of their limited shelf space.
Newton @ Jun 18th 2007 10:34AM
@ 8 & 9
While I used to be in the HD-DVD camp (admittedly because I have a profound dislike for Sony), I've recently come to the conclusion that the main reasons I thought HD-DVD would win, are not as big of a factor.
The porn factor in this war won't make as huge of a difference as it did in the VHS wars because before then, the only way you could see a porno was at an actual movie theatre. VHS brought it home which made a HUGE difference, and it was also cheaper to product. Making Porn on HD is not only more expensive but unnessiary, most people get thier porn online.
Scott @ Jun 18th 2007 10:40AM
There are 5,800 Blockbuster stores in total. So, this is only 1/4 of the stores that will be carrying Blu-Ray.
250 stores will be carrying HD DVD and Blu-Ray.
Still, a blow to HD DVD.
copa @ Jun 18th 2007 10:40AM
It's pretty much official now. Sony lost the console war, and won the next-gen DVD player war.
Matthew @ Jun 18th 2007 10:41AM
I don't know if I'm in a minority here, but pr0n seems like something I wouldn't want in high definition. Please no pores and hair follicles! *shudders*
Konny @ Jun 18th 2007 10:43AM
Im happy with webcam porn.. who needs 1080p for that!!
Jake @ Jun 18th 2007 10:45AM
I'd say blu-ray is winning because it is dominating the movies that are coming out. Porn is a PC thing now. But someone brought up a good point in that PC's have a huge pull. If they start supporting HD-DVD drives first (which are cheaper drives and discs, and don't require a royalty paid to Sony), it will be a huge hit to Blu-ray.
Honestly, I am surprised that blu-ray is currently winning because it is a proprietary format, and those usually don't do as well. CD did (I think that was a Sony deal), but I don't know that it had a competitor like blu-ray and betamax did.
FrankTheCrank @ Jun 18th 2007 10:53AM
Wow, this is pretty big news. All the major news outlets are reporting on this.
I thought BB was irrelevant. I must be in the minority.
Ihya @ Jun 18th 2007 11:02AM
"I don't know if I'm in a minority here, but pr0n seems like something I wouldn't want in high definition. Please no pores and hair follicles! *shudders*"
Having actual sex must be a fucking nightmare.
horngreen @ Jun 18th 2007 11:09AM
Do people really want to see bruised thighs and wet dycks in HD?
Kizzle @ Jun 18th 2007 11:09AM
"The stores are still popular in more rural areas where you may decide to rent the movie because a group of people are coming to your home for a impromptu party."
Yes - and those "more rural areas" are the kinds of areas where HD capability/need for Blu-Ray is miniscule.
Why do people think that Netflix will go exclusive? Heck, I don't even know if Blockbuster Online will.
I'll come back and admit I was wrong if I turn out to be wrong - but having said that, I'm very comfortable to give this guarantee right now: despite Sony's marketing blitz, both formats will survive until dual format players make the format war irrelevant in the eyes of consumers. People have been saying "OMG ITS OVER" since January, and HD DVD has been doing fine. The attach rate is much higher than Blu-Ray, and standalone player sales are higher than Blu-Ray. The sales of HD DVD titles have been on a strong upward trend ever since the March "drought" ended.
I'M NOT SIDING WITH ONE OR THE OTHER HERE, I'm fortunately able to own both so it doesn't matter to me. I'm just giving my opinion based on what I've seen from following this pretty closely over the past year. I really doubt one format will be erased from existence before dual format players are reasonably affordable (say, the price of a Blu-Ray player now).
CaptNink @ Jun 18th 2007 11:09AM
@ Ihya
LOL! Good one!
sugarhigh4242 @ Jun 18th 2007 11:12AM
@15:
Right now, PS3 is helping Blu-Ray win the format war. Next-year, when every AAA 360 game is shipping on multiple DVDs, Blu-Ray will help PS3 win the next-gen console war.
At $60 a pop, I'd rather buy the game that didn't have to cut corners just to fit.
Trio @ Jun 18th 2007 11:19AM
HA,ha,ha sad for those Xbox360 gamers who bought HDDVD player...
Shame on you.........
konajinx @ Jun 18th 2007 11:28AM
AHAHAHAHA! Sad for us who still don't give a crap about an HD disc format and still enjoy DVD. We're in the majority, douchebags.
Aberu @ Jun 18th 2007 11:33AM
Just one of many stories to come that will prove the establishment of blu-ray. Everyone says it's pointless. Well then why are big expensive HDTV's selling so well, and selling more each year?
@7 Not on feature ever pushes sales. I don't know why people look at one game and say, "It won't move consoles". Not any one game moves consoles. Each game moves a console here or there, and together they all move consoles. It's the same with features like media playability. Blu-Ray was one of the factors when I was deciding between a 360 and a PS3, because I recently got an HDTV. Blu-Ray is distinctly different than dvd, especially when you have an HDTV, and I haven't even tapped into the full potential yet (with the uncompressed audio).
It helped move THIS console. It was just one of the many features though. For me, reasons why I got a 360 are more than just 1 exclusive, 2 exclusives, blu-ray, wireless and wired internet built in, folding@home, remote play, etc... It was ALL of those things combined, and that's why I believe Sony is smart for offering a lot more diversity to their customers and seeing the big picture for the next almost 10 years, and not just profits in 2 years.
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 18th 2007 11:33AM
@26
Yesterday my friend brought RE4 for gamecube to my place and threw it in the wii
After watching this amazing, critically acclaimed game play for a couple hourse I looked at the box and noticed it's 2 disks.
I just thought "somewhere out there is a lamer thinking multi discs = suck, meanwhile we are playing one of the greatest games ever made"
To all the PS3 fanboys who always talk about not needing 2-3 discs...
try using a pc. install the game, then throw away the cd. yep. NO DISCS. beat that.
konajinx @ Jun 18th 2007 11:36AM
@30,
I agree with most of that, but still some PC games require you to at least have the first disc in the drive to start the game up. Not all of 'em, but I have enough that do.
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 18th 2007 11:42AM
@31
True but
1. there are some "fixes" for that on the internets
2. unlike wii/ps3/360, my pc can have 2-3 CDs in at once, as well as 2 CD/DVD images loaded on the HD.
So unelss you play more than 5 games regularly , you don't really need to switch CDs... =P
Trio @ Jun 18th 2007 11:47AM
"The future its here only when Sony say its here"
MONGO @ Jun 18th 2007 11:49AM
@#8
That is not true. Sony has recently decided to support the porn industry.
FYI
PS...I rent Blue-Ray movies at my local BB.
Cret @ Jun 18th 2007 11:56AM
Why most of the american are soo sick they talk about porn too much, please change the subjects.....
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 18th 2007 11:59AM
@35 It was brought up because these kinds of videos came to bluray first, and some people thought it meant that bluray would win the format war.
It was a legitimate talking point. Nobody is going into specifics of the disc contents.
chathampax @ Jun 18th 2007 12:15PM
I stand corrected on the blu-ray porn position. It does support my claim that porn is important to both HD camps. Obviously Sony realized that it was important enough for them to support. In regards to the whole "you have to change discs for the XBOX 360" this is why we are the laziest and fattest nation in the world. Oh my god, you have to get up and change a disc after palying 30 hours of a video game. The software sells the games, not well I don't have to change discs. The majority of multiple discs will be Japanese RPGS since gamers expect 50+ hours of gameplay. They put G of W on 1 disc and now you can download multiple maps to extend the lifespan of the game. Nobody expect idiots are buying a PS3 because I don't have to change discs. Also, all that extra capacity on blu-ray for games...where is the benefit? Tell me a game where a developer was like we have to make the game on PS3 because of the extra capacity. Developers don't give a shit because that means longer and more expensive development cost and the costs are already sky high. The only exception would be big Sony A+ exclusives (the few that exists), like FFXIII. However, not many developers can afford the budget or time for a FFXIII game. Before idiots flame me for being a 360 fanboy, I WILL buy a PS3 when FFXIII comes out. I buy the system when good games come out, not because it's blu-ray and not because I don't have to change fucking discs.
polly @ Jun 18th 2007 12:38PM
Aren't the number of releases on each format pretty even? Bluray is ahead but it's pretty close. It's around 200ish for both isn't it?
Joe @ Jun 18th 2007 12:40PM
I'm still fine with my damn DVD player. The only people telling me that my 36-inch SDTV and my DVD player are outdated are, of course, the two companies who want me to spend 4000 dollars on new shit.
No thanks, guys.
Dustin @ Jun 18th 2007 12:53PM
Hey Joe I'll tell you your shit is outdated too. Doesn't mean you have to run out and buy the newest thing, but I don't understand the hostility, unless you are just mad you can't afford it, and that's cool.
Personally, once I saw HD tv and then HD-DVD I fell in love and could never go back to an SDTV.
(Now excuse me while I go make out with my 61' lover...)
Matthew @ Jun 18th 2007 1:03PM
@Ihya
I don't have sex with a magnifying glass.
konajinx @ Jun 18th 2007 1:23PM
@40:
61 feet? Does that thing have an atomic pile it runs on?
Crono @ Jun 18th 2007 1:46PM
never mind that the momentum is on HD-DVD's side. The only reason Blu-Ray has a leg up is because of the PS3. When comparing the sales of stand alone players, HD-DVD is still coming on strong. More HD movie consumers are choosing HD-DVD than blu-ray.
vaylen @ Jun 18th 2007 1:54PM
"The North American HD DVD Promotional Group said Blockbuster's decision was shortsighted and skewed by the success of films released by Blu-ray studios in the first three months of the year. The group said HD DVD has since gained momentum, selling more players and popular titles such as "The 40-Year Old Virgin" and "The Matrix" trilogy."
That's pretty funny since The Matrix trilogy is not exclusive to HD-DVD. As far as "The 40 Year Old Virgin"... Fine movie. I love everything Judd Apatow does, but it's not the kind of title that sells players. Comedies like that are fine on a regular DVD player. People who are spending the $$$ for HDTV want movies like Spiderman, Pirates and Casino Royale to show off the amazing 1080p glory.
HD-DVD should never have been made. Toshiba made a big mistake walking away from the table when Sony was offering to make a unified format.
AKM @ Jun 18th 2007 1:58PM
Toshiba down... MS next in line. Good job Sony.
Jon @ Jun 18th 2007 2:02PM
I truly believe we will all have a pretty clear answer after this Christmas season.
HD-DVD drives are still much cheaper than Blu-Ray drives. And do not underestimate the current 360 owners who have been waiting for next christmas to purchase the HD-DVD add on drive. Last christmas 360 owners purchased 150,000 units. And those 150,000 people will definately be purchasing movies which cannot be said of PS3 customers that may or may not ever view Blu-Ray movies on their PS3. After all...remember that many people that own PS3s probably still have Standard Def TV sets. To them Blu-Ray is useless.
Blockbuster is nearly irrelevant. They will not be able to get behind either format fast enough before HD downloads become commonplace and render physical rentals useless.
cc123 @ Jun 18th 2007 2:19PM
@chathampax
"Tell me a game where a developer was like we have to make the game on PS3 because of the extra capacity. Developers don't give a shit because that means longer and more expensive development cost and the costs are already sky high."
You are just talking completely out of your ass. The second developers have to start considering the disc space it has become a limitation. Don't assume that because games fit on DVD at the moment it means they didn't want a bigger disc size. It most likely means that certain things got cut from the game or that the developers had to spend time trying to figure out clever ways of making it fit.
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Jun 18th 2007 2:28PM
@Konajinx
LMAO!! That's a big frickin' television.
Phranctoast @ Jun 18th 2007 2:37PM
I find it funny people still aguing over blu ray and hddvd when for the last couple of months blu ray has had this war in the bag.
make up all the excuses you want..blah blah porn..blah blah cheaper players...blah blah walmart..heard it all and the proof is in the pudding.
Dustin @ Jun 18th 2007 2:52PM
What pudding would that be, the same pudding the PS3 is in? Didn't think so, I'll admit HD-DVD is dead when you admit the PS3 is dead, since both are having trouble, although sadly HD-DVD is actually in a better position....