Blockbuster picks Blu-ray for movie rentals

Blu-ray is extending its early lead in the high-def video wars.

Blockbuster Inc. announced on Monday that it would rent only Blu-ray discs, and not HD DVDs, in its 1,700 company-owned stores. That's supposed to take effect by mid-July.

Blu-ray version of Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest

(Credit: Disney)

The company said the decision was based on Blu-ray rentals "significantly outpacing" HD DVD rentals, and added that both formats will be available through its Web site.

While the dueling formats are technically somewhat similar, Blu-ray enjoys the advantage of being backed by more film studios (Sony, 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista, and Lionsgate) vs. HD DVD, which counts NBC Universal as its strongest supporter. Warner Home Video and Paramount have said they'll release movies in both formats. In addition, Blu-ray discs can store more data.

Blu-ray discs also enjoys the advantage of being playable in every Sony Playstation 3 game console, though of course not everyone with one actually watches movies on it. Recent estimates by the HD DVD Promotion Group put Blu-ray titles at 1.5 million sold so far and HD DVD at 1.2 million. It estimates that there are 1.3 million Blu-ray players (1.2 million of which are PS3s) and 150,000 stand-alone HD DVD players.

Earlier this month, Sony lowered the price of its standalone Blu-ray player to $499, still a few hundred dollars more than Toshiba's rival HD DVD player.

[umbrae]

Biased...

First off, their "test" sites with both formats was a joke. There was only 1 store in my area and it was an hour away. Not to mention the HDDVD's they stocked were crap: they did not even carry King Kong which was one of the most popular HDDVD movies. There are many good HDDVD's out there, but Blockbuster made sure to carry the ones most people would not drive out of their way to rent.<br /><br />Last weekend was the last weekend I will rent anything from Blockbuster. Supporting a company that considers all rental companies criminals: bad move.

[umbrae]

Oh, error in story...

Toshiba's HDDVD players are $299 right now.

[Wakefield103]

Bye bye HD-DVD

I wonder if this will also change what is offered by their online service, as their HD-DVD content was the only reason I joined.<br /><br />I agree that the B&#38;M "test sites" were a joke. There were none in my area.<br /><br />I do think this is a huge win for Blue-Ray. It will be intereting to see if this is a policy that sticks.

[Wakefield103]

HD-DVD still online

Accoring to this Reuter's article, BlockBuster Online will continue to offer both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.<br /><br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/consumerproducts-SP/idUSWEN881420070618" target="_newWindow">http://www.reuters.com/article/consumerproducts-SP/idUSWEN881420070618</a>

[manojcomverse]

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