Netflix Opts for Blu-Ray High-Def DVDs

[james99]

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- Netflix Inc., the online movie rental company, said Monday it is switching exclusively to high definition DVDs in Blu-ray format, following four major movie studios in selecting the Sony technology over the standard put forth by Toshiba.

Press release:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080211/aqm129.html?.v=33

[JonO]

That seems to be pretty big news... Unless my memory is incorrect, if Netflix and Blockbuster are both blu, that's a huge chunk of the rental industry

[hoodlum]

Here is a little more information.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainm...1022008-1.html

"While only a portion of Netflix subscribers have elected to receive high- def DVDs, a majority of those subscribers have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD. As part of the transition to Blu-ray, the company said it will acquire no new HD DVDs but that its current HD DVD inventory would continue to rent until the discs' natural life cycle takes them out of circulation in the coming months."


Last summer HD-DVD outrented Blu-ray 2:1 at Netflix.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/04...ar-on-netflix/

[darrylr]

Wow - that sounds like pretty big news. Netflix is the one of the most popular rental options in the US I believe.

[Luis_A51]

This gives an overwhelming advantage to Bluray in the rental industry. I remember when Blockbuster went bluray exclusive and all the HDDVD supporters said "well atleast we still have Netflix, who cares about blockbuster"



Im sure those open-box $100 HDDVD players look even less appealing now.

[adit]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

Im sure those open-box $100 HDDVD players look even less appealing now.

You are right...

More returns than in sock units?

Several sources on the Web are suggesting that during the Warner 85th Anniversary press event that retailers are being hit hard with returns of HD DVD standalone players. The numbers of standalone HD DVD players that are being returned are, in many cases, greater than the number of new units that they have in stock.
While the specifics seem still a bit sketchy, it has been said that execs from Amazon and Best Buy were in attendance at the event. While no one is daring to go on record specifically stating the rate of HD DVD standalone player returns, normally when we hear this information from these many sources it tends to have some basis in truth to the rumors.

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?op...=5642&Itemid=1

[darrylr]

So no American Gangster, Beowulf, Sweeney Todd, Cloverfield, Bee Movie, or Charlie Wilson's War should be available on HD DVD from Netflix.

I think the next biggest thing would be a major retailer in the US like Best Buy picking a side.

[lapopal]

Several sources on the Web are suggesting

lol

[lapopal]

It's not going to happen any time soon, BB will sell whatever will bring people in the store.

[hc666]

Yeah that is big news.

Interesting to see if the Blockbuster online and Zip follows.

[darrylr]

"The prolonged period of competition between two formats has prevented clear communication to the consumer regarding the richness of the high-def experience versus standard definition," said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix. "From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers who want high- definition to be an important part of how they enjoy our service."

Hopefully they'll put a bigger push into ramping up Blu-ray awareness and stock more copies now.

[Icemann]

stock more copies now

Hopefully this will happen since they are only buying one type of disc thus allowing them to have twice as many in stock which is the biggest complaint from those who use these types of services.

[darrylr]

Even non-mail rental places like Rogers seem to be starting to get to the point where they don't have enough Blu-ray copies of the bigger new releases at least. Typically it is only 1 or 2 copies of each title but they may have to start adding more and then maybe they can sell the "previously viewed" Blu-rays to me

[Boduho]

Enormous news! Anyone remember certain posters on this forum dismissing Blockbuster as a non-factor in rentals and stating that Netflix was the rental option that really mattered? Great news...one more nail in the coffin.

[james99]

Great news? I'm not sure how removing a product line can be considered as good news. I'm sure HD DVD owners will take their rental business elsewhere.