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USA Weekend Magazine, published by Gannett Publishing, has in this Oct-17-19 weekend issue in Sundays supplement a full page ad from Wal-Mart featuring Indiana Jones and Blu-ray.

The title:

"The search is over. You've found the latest Blu-ray releases and technology at unbeatable prices"

You don't have to wait. Bring home Hollywood's biggest heroes in hi-def. The same phenomenal Blu-ray experience you've seen at your neighbors can finally be yours for unbeatable prices. Wal-Mart * Save money. Live better. Vizio 42" HDTV Now only $848.00

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on Blu-ray , available October 14.

Sony Blu-ray Disc Player . Now only $298.00 Price available through 10/25

Its the magazine included in the Gannett Publishing system, a major buy for Wal-Mart

USA WEEKEND Magazine reaches 47.5 million readers through 600 partners. Here are the forward-looking publications that distribute 23.3 million copies of our magazine each week.
http://www.usaweekend.com/partners/partner_links/index.html USA WEEKEND is a leading national newspaper magazine proven to accumulate mass reach and build response, quickly and reliably. It is distributed in more than 600 newspapers and seen by more than 49 million readers every weekend. The magazine's appealing blend of entertainment and lifestyle content captures the interest and involvement of readers in one in every five households across America.

http://business.usaweekend.com/pdf/circpages.pdf

http://business.usaweekend.com/circulation/indexCirc.html

The same ad is also featured in the newest issue of Entertainment Weekly:)

I even heard a Wal Mart Radio ad for Blu Ray today. Touting price matching, Sharp HDTV's and a Sony Blu Ray player.

Is the average Wal-Mart customer really going to spend $ 300 on a DVD player?

And as the ad says the price is good thru October 25th, are we to assume the price will be even more after that?

Good luck with that!

Is the average Wal-Mart customer really going to spend $ 300 on a DVD player?

And as the ad says the price is good thru October 25th, are we to assume the price will be even more after that?

Good luck with that!

Would Wal Mart advertise it, if they didnt think that it would attract buyers?

Would Wal Mart advertise it, if they didnt think that it would attract buyers?
Depends on who paid for the ad and took the inventory risk.

Feels like Wal-mart is doing this kind of stuff more as an inroad tactic against realtors like Best Buy vs them actually believing in the product. Pure conjecture on my part.

Feels like Wal-mart is doing this kind of stuff more as an inroad tactic against realtors like Best Buy vs them actually believing in the product. Pure conjecture on my part.

WalMart sells about 40% of the DVD's sold in the US. They also use DVD's to drive traffic into their stores. There are people who go every week to look at the new releases and, not coincidentally, make other purchases.

WalMart understands that Microsoft/Apple and others are trying to move away from hard media and substitute downloading. They know that this will hurt their business. Finally, they understand that Blu-ray is the only counter-actant. [Had Warners not acted to shut down the format war 0last winter, B&M's were ready to do so.]

B&M's like WalMart will be making a genuine and protracted effort to assure the success of Blu-ray for just these reasons.

Wal-Mart has a massive incentive to extend the consumer optical disc market from DVD to the next generation high definition optical disc format, Blu-ray.

Wal-Mart knows consumers understand the DVD movie concept and arrival after theatrical release model. Its a habit they and Wal-Mart understand. It made sense for HD DVD as well as Blu-ray last year, and as a winner of the format war, it makes even more sense for all parties to have Blu-ray in Wal-Mart today as the successor technology to DVD.

WalMart sells about 40% of the DVD's sold in the US. They also use DVD's to drive traffic into their stores. There are people who go every week to look at the new releases and, not coincidentally, make other purchases.

WalMart understands that Microsoft/Apple and others are trying to move away from hard media and substitute downloading. They know that this will hurt their business. Finally, they understand that Blu-ray is the only counter-actant. [Had Warners not acted to shut down the format war 0last winter, B&M's were ready to do so.]

B&M's like WalMart will be making a genuine and protracted effort to assure the success of Blu-ray for just these reasons.
I must have been reading to fast, where is your link to a B&M saying they were ready to end the format war? or is this just YO?

Wal-Mart has a massive incentive to extend the consumer optical disc market from DVD to the next generation high definition optical disc format, Blu-ray.

Wal-Mart knows consumers understand the DVD movie concept and arrival after theatrical release model. Its a habit they and Wal-Mart understand. It made sense for HD DVD as well as Blu-ray last year, and as a winner of the format war, it makes even more sense for all parties to have Blu-ray in Wal-Mart today as the successor technology to DVD.

While there is a certain doom and gloom air with the economy right now i'm a firm beleaver that people turn to inexpensive entertainment means when facing hard financial times. BR is not inexpensive when shelved next to SD DVD, so i don't see eny big leep this xmass in BR sales, if anything i expect SD DVDs to have a pretty big Xmass.

$300 players and ~$25-$30 software have no shot in this economy IMO, compounded by the fact that very few Wal-Marters can even appreciate the difference over good upconverted DVD at normal distance from their 37"-42" sets.

Always glad to see HD prices coming down, but I don't see this as a mass market breakthrough in the making.

I must have been reading to fast, where is your link to a B&M saying they were ready to end the format war? or is this just YO?

There were numerous reports to this effect last January/February. I am not sure any of them had the kind of solid proof that you would appreciate.

It is clear that the final act of Toshiba shutting down the HD DVD format came the week after Netflix, Best Buy, and finally WalMart announced that they were dropping HD DVD. Numerous articles at the time stated that this was the final straw, that Toshiba had been willing to continue for a while but that WalMart was not willing to continue.

I am not trying to resurrect the happy-buried format war here, merely trying to underscore the role that the B&M's were finally willing to play. I think that Best Buy in particular had been pulling for HD DVD and somewhat regretted having to side with Blu-ray. But the numbers were what they were.

In the next couple of years as prices come down the industry more so than the consumer will dictate when and how fast it will fade out DVD and replace it with BD. No different than new tv technology and fading out the CRT television. Even with a horrible retail economy starting now and lasting two years the change will come. What is happening now is virtually identical to VHS and DVD's taking over. The signs are everywhere. Video rental stores are commiting more and more space to BD movies. Stores are bringing in more product both hardware and software. Consumers are buying into it.

Is the average Wal-Mart customer really going to spend $ 300 on a DVD player?

And as the ad says the price is good thru October 25th, are we to assume the price will be even more after that?

Good luck with that!
They also sell the Magnavox BD player for $229 & the Samsung BD player for $298 everyday.
Blu-ray disc prices range from $14.99-34.99.

Depends on who paid for the ad and took the inventory risk.

Yes or lest we forget the "firesales" of the now defunct format. Walmart did not lose one dime on that transacation.

Yes or lest we forget the "firesales" of the now defunct format. Walmart did not lose one dime on that transacation.

Neither did I! I got Matrix HDDVD collection, $30 dollars, Heroes Season 1, Smallville Season 6, 5 movies, and an HD-A20 for free!!!

Either way, the new Samsung BD-P1500 can be had for around $220 now. Last week you could have gotten Matrix collection with it for free. When November comes rolling around, I would bet there will be some HOT deals on BD players.

Not that I am interested(I already have too many);)

Blu-Ray has a chance in this economy simply because though middle class people are pressed more than they are used to, they generally aren't broke. They are however cutting back on things like vacations, eating out, etc. What do people who spend all their time sitting at home spend their entertainment money on? a new TV with Blu-ray still tends to run much cheaper than a normal vacation, and it lasts longer too.

What do people who spend all their time sitting at home spend their entertainment money on? a new TV with Blu-ray still tends to run much cheaper than a normal vacation, and it lasts longer too.

True, but also take into account that buying cheap DVDs in the supermarket bins for 3$-5$, runs even cheaper.

Wal-Mart did a similar buy on the back cover this week featuring The Incredible Hulk.

Cool HDM players for $220! Last year if you would have told me that HDM players would be as low as $220 and the Dow would be up to 8500, I would have thought you were crazy!:D

(I did get a 2nd PS3 for less than $220 thanks to Windows Live and Paypal).

Everdog,

Amazon has a deal right now if you buy one of three players (PS3, Sylvania NB500 or Samsung BD-P1500)and four warner movies, you get a $100 off of the player. That gets the net on the sylvania BD Player to $99.

The pricing is coming down finally. Now if we can get new releases for under $20.....

$300 players and ~$25-$30 software have no shot in this economy IMO, compounded by the fact that very few Wal-Marters can even appreciate the difference over good upconverted DVD at normal distance from their 37"-42" sets.

Always glad to see HD prices coming down, but I don't see this as a mass market breakthrough in the making.

Agree 1000%. Software prices have to fall...sooner than later. Since I recently purchased my first BR player, I've been in several Best Buys and Wal-Marts and other stores that sell BR discs. Of ALL the times I've been in the stores, other than one time when another couple were shopping for BR discs, I've been the ONLY one perusing the BR discs. Lots of folks in the SD section...just me shopping for BR. :(

Everdog,

Amazon has a deal right now if you buy one of three players (PS3, Sylvania NB500 or Samsung BD-P1500)and four warner movies, you get a $100 off of the player. That gets the net on the sylvania BD Player to $99.

The pricing is coming down finally. Now if we can get new releases for under $20.....

I though I mentioned that I bought a 2nd PS3. Windows Live and Paypal were offering 30% off ebay stuff.

Why would I want a Sylvania player that is only profile 1.1 and does not play well with AVCHD when I can have a PS3? I had the Magnavox version of that player and took it back because it did not play AVCHD video from my Sony HD camcorder.

btw, where can I get the direct to video movie Tinkerbell for under $20? All the stores around me have it for $30.

Wow,

I was just stating that right now consumers can get a Blu Ray player for under $100. Not that you personally needed to buy a Sylvania Blu Ray player.

I also stated that they (the Blu Ray association) NEEDEDto get the price of software below $20 on new releases. Tinkerbell? Is that an adult title?:cool:

I was responding to this post.

Cool HDM players for $220! Last year if you would have told me that HDM players would be as low as $220 and the Dow would be up to 8500, I would have thought you were crazy!:D

(I did get a 2nd PS3 for less than $220 thanks to Windows Live and Paypal).

There were numerous reports to this effect last January/February. I am not sure any of them had the kind of solid proof that you would appreciate.

It is clear that the final act of Toshiba shutting down the HD DVD format came the week after Netflix, Best Buy, and finally WalMart announced that they were dropping HD DVD. Numerous articles at the time stated that this was the final straw, that Toshiba had been willing to continue for a while but that WalMart was not willing to continue.

I am not trying to resurrect the happy-buried format war here, merely trying to underscore the role that the B&M's were finally willing to play. I think that Best Buy in particular had been pulling for HD DVD and somewhat regretted having to side with Blu-ray. But the numbers were what they were.

Of course those places were made aware Toshiba was planning a exit so they decided to be the "heroes" and do it first so they could buy consumers "first".
We all knew January 4th, when Warner went BD Exclusive that it was all over. Retailers would have happily sold you two different players and discs if you wanted the full 7 studio HD library.

Wow,

I was just stating that right now consumers can get a Blu Ray player for under $100. Not that you personally needed to buy a Sylvania Blu Ray player.

I also stated that they (the Blu Ray association) NEEDEDto get the price of software below $20 on new releases. Tinkerbell? Is that an adult title?:cool:

I was responding to this post.

I guess you didn't understand or I was unclear. My kids really want that tinkerbell movie. I don't think it is worth $25-$30, so I would rather rent or just get the DVD. If I could find it for a more reasonalbe price, I would buy it. I think we both agree on this point, and as you said, "if we can get new releases for under $20".

Wal-Mart has a massive incentive to extend the consumer optical disc market from DVD to the next generation high definition optical disc format, Blu-ray.

Wal-Mart knows consumers understand the DVD movie concept and arrival after theatrical release model. Its a habit they and Wal-Mart understand. It made sense for HD DVD as well as Blu-ray last year, and as a winner of the format war, it makes even more sense for all parties to have Blu-ray in Wal-Mart today as the successor technology to DVD.


Is that your way of saying that Blu-Ray is not likely to replace DVD without full support from Walmart? If so, I agree with you.

Is that your way of saying that Blu-Ray is not likely to replace DVD without full support from Walmart? If so, I agree with you.

What does Walmart's support have to do with the price of tea in China?

If the players fall in cost and the sw with it, to a point where BD is nearly par with DVD, or if (heaven forbid :eek:) DVD was ever retired as a format, then whether wallyworld supported it or not will be a moot point.

Having BD in places like WM and KM and Target will help matters along, but won't - IMHO - be the be all or end all of when/if BD becomes mainstream.

Seggers

What does Walmart's support have to do with the price of tea in China?

If the players fall in cost and the sw with it, to a point where BD is nearly par with DVD, or if (heaven forbid :eek:) DVD was ever retired as a format, then whether wallyworld supported it or not will be a moot point.

Having BD in places like WM and KM and Target will help matters along, but won't - IMHO - be the be all or end all of when/if BD becomes mainstream.

Seggers

My guess is Walmart sells more DVD players and DVD movies than all other outlets combined (or pretty close). So yes, I think they are critical to BD REPLACING SD DVD.

Is that your way of saying that Blu-Ray is not likely to replace DVD without full support from Walmart? If so, I agree with you.

Yes. Not only that, Blu-ray is not going to make significant inroads into mass market penetration without support and the marketing muscle of Wal-Mart.

Its support is critical so things like these ads are a good sign.

BTW, No ad in this weekends issue. Could be that there was really no big title released last week for the weekend sales .

What does Walmart's support have to do with the price of tea in China?

If the players fall in cost and the sw with it, to a point where BD is nearly par with DVD, or if (heaven forbid :eek:) DVD was ever retired as a format, then whether wallyworld supported it or not will be a moot point.

Having BD in places like WM and KM and Target will help matters along, but won't - IMHO - be the be all or end all of when/if BD becomes mainstream.

Seggers Its critical for Blu-ray's success because of the software sales volume (Wal-Mart is around 40% of all USA DVD sales) but also because its hardware sales are close to a definition of mainstream adoption trends.

Its not only a reflection of the mass market, it is a driver of mass market, and almost by itself a definition of it. What Wal-Mart does makes or breaks many consumer product categories.

Its critical for Blu-ray's success because of the software sales volume (Wal-Mart is around 40% of all USA DVD sales) but also because its hardware sales are close to a definition of mainstream adoption trends.

Its not only a reflection of the mass market, it is a driver of mass market, and almost by itself a definition of it. What Wal-Mart does makes or breaks many consumer product categories.

Erm, not trying to troll here, but how did Walmart supporting - or not - HD DVD have anything to do with Universal jumping ship?

And that's my point. Wally World et al are a nice to have, but will not be the decider.

Somehow, with DVD sales still being far in front of BD, I don't see SD DVD going away for a while, if ever.

I'd love to see BD take over, and take over soon, but when will not be decided by the shops etc, but by the studios and hw suppliers.

just my 2p's worth.

Seggers

Yes. Not only that, Blu-ray is not going to make significant inroads into mass market penetration without support and the marketing muscle of Wal-Mart.

Its support is critical so things like these ads are a good sign.

BTW, No ad in this weekends issue. Could be that there was really no big title released last week for the weekend sales .

Wal-mart, because of their market share, does not usually have sales or market items unless they are paid to do so. They did not push HD DVD last year out of the goodness of their heart, and they same is true with Blu-ray this year.

While they may benefit a little from Blu-ray's higher prices, they are not going to mess with their huge DVD sales. They will let the BDA pay for that.

Erm, not trying to troll here, but how did Walmart supporting - or not - HD DVD have anything to do with Universal jumping ship?

And that's my point. Wally World et al are a nice to have, but will not be the decider.

Somehow, with DVD sales still being far in front of BD, I don't see SD DVD going away for a while, if ever.

I'd love to see BD take over, and take over soon, but when will not be decided by the shops etc, but by the studios and hw suppliers.

just my 2p's worth.

Seggers

Walmart's support of HD-DVD and it's price strategy actually had HD-DVD outselling stand alone BD players about 3-1 before Warner took the payoff from Sony and ended the war. I said all along that the studios would decide the war's outcome and I was right. That is not the question now - the question now is whether BD will be a successful format and replace DVD. IMO it will not do so without all-out support from Walmart.

This thread is past it's useful lifetime.

larry