For me, maybe 4-5 movies out of a hundred are good enough to buy. The rest are strictly rentals. With the content that continues to come out of Hollywood, I don’t see that changing anytime soon. So if I’m going to buy a BD player, I need to make sure there’s a stable supply of rentals.

We have two local video stores close to home: a Blockbuster and a Hollywood Video. Neither store carries any HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disks. Nor do they appear to be in any hurry to do so. The other day I talked with the checkout girl at HV. When I asked her whether they were planning to stock any HD-DVD or Blu-Ray titles, she just had a blank expression. I honestly don’t think she knew what I was talking about.

So she brought the manager over, and we had a long pleasant talk. He admitted they had never stocked any hi-def titles, but was hopeful that he would get some in by May. When I expressed skepticism about that date, he revised his estimate to “maybe Christmas is possible – maybe.” My guess is that he was just making up dates as he went along. So then I asked him about demand. Has he been getting many requests for HD-DVD or BD titles? He said a couple of customers had inquired about them over the past few months, but requests overall were “rare.” I argued that the best way to increase demand was for stores like his to stock hi-def titles and advertise it. He agreed, but while he was sympathetic, he certainly didn’t seem enthusiastic. I’m sure he’s thinking that he already stocks two DVD formats (widescreen and full screen editions), and the last thing he needs is the addition of two hi-def formats to complicate his shelves even further.

I realize that both Netflix and BB-online stock hi-def titles in both formats. But the majority of consumers still rent their DVD’s from local stores, and I’m afraid that if rental stores don’t have prominent displays for either BD or HD-DVD, these will continue to be fringe products for the general public.

A couple local chains in the Chicago metro area have BluRay and HD DVD mixed in with the normal DVD releases...usually just 1 or 2 copies, but nice to see it happening...kind of how 1 or 2 DVD's used to be placed on the 'new releases VHS wall'.

Are Hollywood Video and Blockbuster stores franchisees? The Hollywood next to me has both HD and Blu-Ray and has had (at least HD) since it launched last summer.

Don't get me wrong, it's only one shelf and they only have one copy of everything, but I took this as a sign that Hollywood would be embracing the new formats (at least on some level).

By contrast, I went to Blockbuster and asked about "Blu-Ray" and the kid behind the counter gave me the "huh" look. The manager said you can only get them online.

PS - I'm in San Antonio - not normally where you'd think a lot of early adopters would be.

I resisted Netflix for a long time not wanting another recurring monthly fee payment.

But everytime I went to Blockbuster and saw what I was paying for a onetime rental and then having to worry about getting it back to the store, I went for Netflix and have not regretted it one iota.

I will use Netflix once I decide which Blu-Ray player to get sometime this year.

Check the other Blockbusters in your local area. I have to drive several extra miles but it's worth it for the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray selection. In Phoenix we have about six or so Blockbusters that carry the new formats(we probably have over 50 stores).

I spoke with both the Blockbuster and Hollywood videos within my local area and none of them carry either HD format and have no ETA on when they will. Needless to say I wasent too happy.