LOGIN
REGISTER
Worth Reading?
+2 [8 votes]
The local B&M Blockbuster store that I usually go to is having the new make-over to become one of the twelve prototypes of the future Blockbuster. I drop off the rental today but couldn’t locate the 3 HD-DVD shelves. The manager, with a small pin badge on uniform that said Blu-ray certified, told me he just packed all of them and sent it back. Crap! What happened there! This store was one out of the 250 nation chain units to carry HD-DVD but not anymore.
He was quite helpful despite my nosy questions, he also said they are dropping in-store HD-DVD nationwide and has nothing to do with tighter room in a new layout. Not that I didn’t believed him, (well, I didn’t) I actually called more than 10 stores in DFW area that marked with Blu-ray option to find out more. Only one of them is offering HD-DVD and they didn’t mention anything about operation HD-CRAP-OUT
My prediction is Blockbuster may cease the remainder of 250 stores that are still carrying HD-DVD. With Netflix announcement to stop buying HD-DVD disc, the Blockbuster’s mail order departments are anticipating a higher demand from HD-DVD renters, new or existing. I doubt they will expand the in-store option but certain could use the rest to fulfill the mail-order crowd.
Why fight it, Daniel? Have you invested hordes of money on HD-DVD equipment? It seems you are a HD-DVD die-hard, which makes no sense in this particular technology war. The smart move would have been to report on this, but not invest in either technology yourself. That reduces bias.
Good thing I didnt buy any of those HD players or anything of such yet. I knew this would happen eventually. When new tech comes out I usually wait it to cool down and watch the price drop n the wars go by. Then i’ll consider buying one :D Tough Luck Daniel.
Ah, the stench of death in the air for HD-DVD. Even Netflix started getting the whiff and jumped ship.
I wonder if this is an isolated incident or if they are removing the HD DVD selections from all 250 stores. Since Netflix announced that they are not going to buy any more HD DVD titles, it’ll be interesting to see if Blockbuster will continue to buy new HD DVD titles for Total Access.
BTW, Mike — we have to invest in the technology to be able to write about it. I have an Xbox 360 & HD DVD drive, but I’m planning on picking up a PS 3 very soon. Unfortunately, bloggers don’t have a serious budget like the NY Times so we have to think carefully about buying new toys. ;-)
- Mike
http://www.hackingnetflix.com
The in-store option was one of their earlier strategy to keep traffic back to the store, now that they have withdrawn price-war against NF, plus the recent bad presses on HD formats, we never knew what’s gonna happen next.
I reasoned the store manager if that’s just an isolated case since they need all the room for the new layout. (less rental and more CE devices in store). But he insisted they are done with in-store HD-DVD, nationwide. He is a cool guy, even with Blu-Ray certified but still need to refer my question to employee guide to Blu-ray ( a small chart with major studios subset in color, red and blue :) ). I just blogged what’s been told, not an official one from the corp.
But…..One thing for sure, it’s 249 stores, not longer 250 as they still claiming. :)
I’ll find out more next week when they debut the first prototype of new Blockbuster. The blu-ray showcase will be the center of the attraction, according to their floor plan.