So lack of Region Coding shouldn't be considered huge? While I agree that the average consumer doesn't know much about the availability of imports, I'd also think that the average consumer doesn't know much about BR and HD DVD.

That said, I think for the people on these forums, for the enthusists, the fact that you can get 'exclusive' Blu-ray titles on HD DVD across the pond is pretty important. It goes to show you how 'exclusive' things really are. *shrug*

Does the average consumer know the difference between a BD25, a BD50, and an HD30? Since they won't know what the media is by looking at the package, I guess the capacity differences between formats is moot too ... as long as the PQ/AQ is on par. *shrug*

Having to rely on importation is a hassle, and adds significantly to the lifetime cost of the format. If the enthusiast were to choose one format, then Blu-ray already offers the majority of the movie selection available, without the dependence on imports.

There is no guarantee that HD DVD will remain region free, as studios must rely on theatrical windows to protect regional theatrical releases of their movies. It is also questionable that overseas HD DVD publishers will retain licenses to all future BD exclusive releases.

Having to rely on importation is a hassle, and adds significantly to the lifetime cost of the format. If the enthusiast were to choose one format, then Blu-ray already offers the majority of the movie selection available, without the dependence on imports.

There is no guarantee that HD DVD will remain region free, as studios must rely on theatrical windows to protect regional theatrical releases of their movies. It is also questionable that overseas HD DVD publishers will retain licenses to all future BD exclusive releases.

All current players are Region Free and support the full spec, so that's that. And, the majority of the movie selection available, after the recent amazon annoucement, is clearly in HD DVD's favor.

But, again, this is for the Format Battle Thread ... can we get back OT to Blockbuster?

Importation doesn't affect overall sales enough to matter. Only enthusiasts really consider importing, and only a small minority of us will consider importing titles from abroad.

Most people want to walk into their local store and buy discs; and you'll almost never see imported discs in that scenario. This goes double for imported discs for rental markets.

So lack of Region Coding shouldn't be considered huge? While I agree that the average consumer doesn't know much about the availability of imports, I'd also think that the average consumer doesn't know much about BR and HD DVD.

That said, I think for the people on these forums, for the enthusists, the fact that you can get 'exclusive' Blu-ray titles on HD DVD across the pond is pretty important. It goes to show you how 'exclusive' things really are. *shrug*

Does the average consumer know the difference between a BD25, a BD50, and an HD30? Since they won't know what the media is by looking at the package, I guess the capacity differences between formats is moot too ... as long as the PQ/AQ is on par. *shrug*

Most importantly, this has nothing to do with Blockbuster and is completely offtopic. This should be a conversation for the Format Battle Thread. This one has pretty much run it's course ... the horse is dead. We'll see if there are any changes in strategy now that Blockbuster has a new CEO.

From Endgadget last year:

Well, the 34th DVD Forum Steering Committee meeting occurred two days ago in Seattle, but it wasn't just the usual hum drum logo approvals and plans for world living room domination. This time they approved two working programs which could be very interesting in the coming months and years: the first calls for development of a spec and region map, and the enforcement of region codes for HD DVD video discs -- where there currently is none (much to the benefit of most consumers, and to their advantage over Blu-ray). It's yet to be finalized and pushed through for future revisions of the HD DVD spec, but don't be surprised if your net-connected HD DVD player all of a sudden obtains the region code "feature." Oh, and the Steering Committee notes also make mention of developing "physical Specifications for China only HD DVD-ROM format." Ok, guess they weren't just gonna lie down on the EVD and VMD issue after all -- but what, no plans to tackle VCDHD in the Ukraine? Eh, anyway, we'll keep you posted on developments.Hmmmm...Wasn't the China format just approved recently? I wonder how far away region coding is for HD DVD.

Universal ups Emrey to exec VP (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117967207.html?categoryid=18&cs=1)

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has elevated Tom Emrey to exec VP and chief operating officer.
Emrey, previously CFO for U's homevid division, continues to report to Craig Kornblau, prexy of U homevid and its digital platform group.

Promotion stems from the studio's ongoing restructuring. Earlier this month, Kornblau gained oversight of digital activities, including video on demand, electronic sell-through, mobile entertainment and interactive gaming.

In his expanded role, Emrey will oversee strategy, research, operations and logistics across those platforms.We'll see if there are any changes in strategy now that Universal has a new CEO.

All current players are Region Free and support the full spec, so that's that. And, the majority of the movie selection available, after the recent amazon annoucement, is clearly in HD DVD's favor.

But, again, this is for the Format Battle Thread ... can we get back OT to Blockbuster?

I disagree. There is a better selection of BD movies available, as evidenced by the popularity rankings. Blockbuster's choice simply reflects this.

As for "region free", the AACS spec includes region coding regardless of format. All it takes is a new firmware to enforce it, while "the DVD Forum receives pressure from Hollywood content owners to add region coding". But, as has been pointed out, this has no bearing on blockbuster's positive effect on blu-ray support.

Blockbuster predicting Blu skies in the forecast is the single biggest news since this pillow fight began.
Hopefully soon we can get on with the actual war with BD and sd dvd doing battle.

Has anyone actually seen their local stores begin stocking Blu-ray titles yet? The local one in NYC still has none and the guy seems clueless about when they are.

Has anyone actually seen their local stores begin stocking Blu-ray titles yet? The local one in NYC still has none and the guy seems clueless about when they are.

Another post around here somewhere claims that they might already have them in stock with the 'official date' being next Tuesday, July the 10th.

Another post around here somewhere claims that they might already have them in stock with the 'official date' being next Tuesday, July the 10th.


I just saw this thread after I posted that in the BR Software forum. :) The BB employee said they are coming out onto the shelves on July 10th. All those pretty Blu discs are sitting somewhere in the store warehouse.

Has anyone actually seen their local stores begin stocking Blu-ray titles yet? The local one in NYC still has none and the guy seems clueless about when they are.

The store in Nanuet NY is one of the original 250 stores, so I see them (and HD-DVD) there. However, the other stores still seem to have no clue if they are getting them or not.

"Sony is a supplier of video content to Blockbuster, has a major retail presence in video-related consumer electronics that can potentially be linked with Blockbuster on a promotional basis, and is a significant investor in the online movie download service Movielink, which Blockbuster has actively been trying to acquire. It makes much more strategic sense in general for Blockbuster to ally itself with Sony's Blu-ray Disc format versus Toshiba's HD DVD." from IMS market research here is the link.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/blues-for-high-def/hd-dvd-walking-tightrope-but-still-moving-forward-274895.php

Starting next week on the 10th, we will know which BB locations are going to stock the BD titles.
This will come in very handy for BD movies that are on the borderline as far as renting/purchasing goes.

"Sony is a supplier of video content to Blockbuster, has a major retail presence in video-related consumer electronics that can potentially be linked with Blockbuster on a promotional basis, and is a significant investor in the online movie download service Movielink, which Blockbuster has actively been trying to acquire. It makes much more strategic sense in general for Blockbuster to ally itself with Sony's Blu-ray Disc format versus Toshiba's HD DVD." from IMS market research here is the link.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/blues-for-high-def/hd-dvd-walking-tightrope-but-still-moving-forward-274895.php

You should have quoted this paragraph:

"Based on his work in the report, "The Future of High-Definition TV -2007 Edition," Erickson states that the announcement will ultimately have limited impact: "The retail video rental business remains in a steady decline. Though this announcement appears to be a PR coup for Blu-ray Disc, it is doubtful that it will actually drive increased hardware penetration. Actual sales indicate that mainstream consumers are generally happy with DVD, and still find both blue formats' standalone players too expensive for mass adoption, regardless of content availability."

I have blockbuster online and their bluray selections have a long wait time compared to Netflix. However, when i went to the local blockbuster store (this never carried any high def content) yesterday, I enquired about bluray and was told they were instructed by management to make room for them. Cool. I hope they get a good selection soon and I hope I can get them for free when I return my online selections just like how I get the DVDs for free now. This store is in Independence, MO (near Noland and Hwy-40).

You should have quoted this paragraph:

"Based on his work in the report, "The Future of High-Definition TV -2007 Edition," Erickson states that the announcement will ultimately have limited impact: "The retail video rental business remains in a steady decline. Though this announcement appears to be a PR coup for Blu-ray Disc, it is doubtful that it will actually drive increased hardware penetration. Actual sales indicate that mainstream consumers are generally happy with DVD, and still find both blue formats' standalone players too expensive for mass adoption, regardless of content availability."

Once again, I have sat on the fence in this war until the Blockbuster news and the emergence of a $500 Blu-Ray player. I spent $500 for my first DVD player. I am buying a Blu-Ray player in the next 2 weeks. We stopped by BB today to rent a few movies. Now, normally with 4 DVR tuners during the TV season we very seldom rent, but come off-season/summer the renting picks up. Our household has used both Netflix and Blockbuster online during the offseason the past few years.

Well, today when in the BB 2 blocks from the house we were there to rent 3 latest release movies. We have yet to re-establish an online rental program this summer so far.

Well, the BB guy says I can save you $5 on your rentals today if you sign up for BB online. I told him we've used it before and it's about time to sign up again since it's summer, so why not. He moved us over to a laptop next to the checkout counter to set up the BB online account. Of course to get the trial/new account/free rental, we had to use the wife's e-mail, etc. since mine had been used previously.

Anyway, while signing up I mentioned the Blu-Ray stuff and if they would be carrying any HD media. He was telling me that he wasn't sure, but his store manager overheard the conversation and said as of Tuesday, July 10th, they would have a Blu-Ray section, and this is a store that isn't carrying an HD format at this time. She lamented that she was glad "corporate" had picked just one of the HD formats, because she was going to have a hard enough time making space for one, much less two more formats.

This will have an impact, I don't care what anyone says.

Take that for what you will......

This will have an impact, I don't care what anyway says.

Take that for what you will......

Congrats on moving into HD media. The announcement and the ensuing price drop by Toshiba gave me the impression that we'll be in this for the long haul, so I purchased the A2 HD-DVD player with the expectation that I'll go dual format over Christmas.

This will have an impact. BB will rent regular DVDs instead of HD-DVDs to those who take the plunge for the cheap Toshiba players. I'm not sure many will allow one retailer (one that's tried to rip me off multiple times with bogus late fees) to dictate their direction.

Went to my local Blockbuster today....No Blu Ray until Friday. They had three large display racks in a great location in the center of the store.

They will carry 125 titles to start and charge $4.99 for rental (.50 cent upchrage).

Went to my local Blockbuster today....No Blu Ray until Friday. They had three large display racks in a great location in the center of the store.

They will carry 125 titles to start and charge $4.99 for rental (.50 cent upchrage).

$4.99 for a rental? How in the world does Blockbuster stay in business?

$4.99 for a rental? How in the world does Blockbuster stay in business?

Blockbuster has 74% of the rental market....perhaps it is only you that finds them too expensive. I thought it cheap. A .50 cent surcharge for HD media.

$5 for 2-3 hours of entertainment.

Moreover, I am going to switch to their on-line sytem and return my flix at the store for faster service (not to mention picking up the newest releases).

Fantastic!!

$4.99 for a rental? How in the world does Blockbuster stay in business?

Movie Gallery charges 4.39 locally for an sd dvd rental...and then they try and pimp you with the damage insurance on every rental on top of that.

4.99 for a BD rental seems reasonable in comparison.

No big deal. I'm not trying to start an argument. It's just that I'm used to paying $13.99 a month for Netflix. Do they have an HD or Blu-Ray surcharge?

Another reason why those $1 DVD vending machines are so popular. But once you go to the monthly plans of either Blockbuster or Netflix, it is a screaming deal.

No big deal. I'm not trying to start an argument. It's just that I'm used to paying $13.99 a month for Netflix. Do they have an HD or Blu-Ray surcharge?

Nope, no surcharge for HD DVD or Blu-ray from Netflix.

Blockbuster has 74% of the rental market....perhaps it is only you that finds them too expensive. I thought it cheap. A .50 cent surcharge for HD media.

$5 for 2-3 hours of entertainment.

Moreover, I am going to switch to their on-line sytem and return my flix at the store for faster service (not to mention picking up the newest releases).

Fantastic!!

Ah no - they do not have 74% of the rental market:

2006 - Total rental market - $7.5 Billion

Movie Gallery - $2.5 Billion

Netflix - $1 Billion

Blockbuster - Approx - $3.5 Billion

All others - .5 Billion

That puts BBI at 46.6% . . . . . not 74%

I use Netflix...It has been great!

They got the expanded BD stuff at the store near my house. I traded my mailers for 2 movies and got a Wii game for $5. Netflix who?

I belong to Blockbuster Online, but I just hate going to their stores (messy, long lines, etc). I use Redbox for all my spur of the moment rentals and Blockbuster Online for everything else.

I belong to Blockbuster Online, but I just hate going to their stores (messy, long lines, etc). I use Redbox for all my spur of the moment rentals and Blockbuster Online for everything else.
I waited for 5 minutes to bypass 2 "very long" spots in my que. Seems like a good deal to me. Especially with the $5 game rental.

Does anyone else feel the "big" blockbuster announcement was just to draw attention away from the fact that they were closing over 200 stores and fired their CEO.

Last year they closed over 200 stores as well. (Closer to 300)

Them announcing they are supporting BD in stores doesn't mean much as they are closing stores every year and more and more people are migrating to online rental.

THe annoucement is only 'big' to us enthusiasts. In the whole schem of their follwers, it is really nothing of significance.

perhaps it is only you that finds them too expensive. I thought it cheap.

Well, you can count me with those who think that $5 for a rental is expensive. I have Netflix for $17.99/month on the "3 at a time" program, which gives me about 18-20 rentals per month. And I see $1 rental vending boxes at a couple of retailers within a few blocks of my home.

$5? That just doesn't seem to be in line with the competition. Then again, with the dominance that BB currently has in retail rentals, maybe they don't need to price things competitively. That still doesn't make it "cheap", though.

Well, you can count me with those who think that $5 for a rental is expensive. I have Netflix for $17.99/month on the "3 at a time" program, which gives me about 18-20 rentals per month. And I see $1 rental vending boxes at a couple of retailers within a few blocks of my home.

$5? That just doesn't seem to be in line with the competition. Then again, with the dominance that BB currently has in retail rentals, maybe they don't need to price things competitively. That still doesn't make it "cheap", though.

Especially when pay-per-view, which you can Tivo and keep for as long as you want, is cheaper. Well, Blockbuster has a history of making bad business decisions, doesn't it? Or was that the Wayne Huizenga-owned Blockbuster?

Well, my local (Troy, Michigan) B&M Blockbuster put out 180 Blu-ray discs for rental today.

Looked in the local phone book and called the nearest two out of 15 Blockbusters and the first one said they did not have their BD's out yet and the second said they had the new releases out already, and would have the others out in the next two hours.
They also said they were not sure if todays BD releases are included...but either way woohoo.
Off to BB in an hour to check it out.

Rented the first Blu-ray disc at the local store today. My BB has 200 different titles out in the gaming side of the store displayed. There were no new releases today to coincide with the event unfortunately.

This and the price drop on the PS3 made it finally worthwhile for me to jump to the Blu-ray format.

Cheers!

I dont have a total access subscription, but I may rent a BD from time to time (saturday night movie kinda thing). Blockbuster should update their website to let us know exactly what stores have them and what dont. It would make it easier than to have everyone call all the BBs in their location.

Rented the first Blu-ray disc at the local store today. My BB has 200 different titles out in the gaming side of the store displayed. There were no new releases today to coincide with the event unfortunately.

This and the price drop on the PS3 made it finally worthwhile for me to jump to the Blu-ray format.

Cheers!

cheers indeed, welcome to blu hi-def.

Well, you can count me with those who think that $5 for a rental is expensive. I have Netflix for $17.99/month on the "3 at a time" program, which gives me about 18-20 rentals per month. And I see $1 rental vending boxes at a couple of retailers within a few blocks of my home.

$5? That just doesn't seem to be in line with the competition. Then again, with the dominance that BB currently has in retail rentals, maybe they don't need to price things competitively. That still doesn't make it "cheap", though.

Blockbuster Online - 17.99/mo for 3 at a time, Plus unlimited free instore rentals. Just return the online envelope and grab a free one (Blu or dvd), plus your next Blu/dvd online rental is shipped immediately. Awesome - Netflix cannot touch the in-store availability.

Just think - if you have one lying around and want a new release - or any old Blu or dvd - RIGHT NOW, just turn in the old and grab the free rental! Forget $5 a rental.

Does anyone else feel the "big" blockbuster announcement was just to draw attention away from the fact that they were closing over 200 stores and fired their CEO.Last year they closed over 200 stores as well. (Closer to 300)
Them announcing they are supporting BD in stores doesn't mean much as they are closing stores every year and more and more people are migrating to online rental.

Yawn, no.

Rented the first Blu-ray disc at the local store today. My BB has 200 different titles out in the gaming side of the store displayed. There were no new releases today to coincide with the event unfortunately.

This and the price drop on the PS3 made it finally worthwhile for me to jump to the Blu-ray format.

Cheers!

Welcome to BD and I was technically the first to grab BD's to rent, but my son wanted to rent a 360 game and while waiting for him, two others rented BD before me.

So technically I was third. :cool:

well i went into the larger and nicer blockbuster in my town tonight to see if they put any BD's out today. After walking around the store for a min not seeing any I asked the clerk at the desk if he knew if they were going to carry any BD's. The answer I got was "No blockbuster will carry any blu ray's or HD DVD's until there is only one for consumers to decide from!" lol

I politey told him that over 200 stores had had both formats for a while and about a month ago there was a national press release saying some 1700 stores would carry blu rays and today was supposed to be the major roll out day. He looked at me with confused eyes and said it was news to him.

I dont have a total access subscription, but I may rent a BD from time to time (saturday night movie kinda thing). Blockbuster should update their website to let us know exactly what stores have them and what dont. It would make it easier than to have everyone call all the BBs in their location.
I second that motion.

I politey told him that over 200 stores had had both formats for a while and about a month ago there was a national press release saying some 1700 stores would carry blu rays and today was supposed to be the major roll out day. He looked at me with confused eyes and said it was news to him.
I've been getting similar responses from half a dozen BB near me. All of them corporate stores, none of them even heard of the press release. Then some did the same, "not for a couple years at least" etc.

I been renting BR from BB online and gld one of the store near by has it as well.

From the Associated Press

"Blockbuster will continue to rent HD DVD titles in the original 250 locations and online, the Dallas-based company said."I think we have a much better idea about what this comment about the original 250 locations means now. I went to the Blockbuster nearest Microsoft today and they got a lot more BDs that they need to put out (with no sign of getting anything similar in HD DVDs). I don't know if they will get new releases for HD DVD or just continue renting what they already have, but either way it currently looks like this store (which was one of the original 250) will be skewed heavily toward Blu-ray now.

--Darin

NO retailers (with the right mind) make conscious efforts to publicize what they do not have especially when they carry the substitute of that particular item. and announcing the cause for doing so as driven by 'consumer choice' is a blatant lie. They could have kept quiet. Let consumers with HD DVD titles in their mind go to Blockbuster and introduce BD to such customers. This ALONE shows that Blockbuster is 'paid off' for their bias and un-business wise announcement and further confirming that many other exclusive BD backers are paid the same way ;)

NO retailers (with the right mind) make conscious efforts to publicize what they do not have especially when they carry the substitute of that particular item. and announcing the cause for doing so as driven by 'consumer choice' is a blatant lie. They could have kept quiet. Let consumers with HD DVD titles in their mind go to Blockbuster and introduce BD to such customers. This ALONE shows that Blockbuster is 'paid off' for their bias and un-business wise announcement and further confirming that many other exclusive BD backers are paid the same way ;)
Un-business wise? In what way?

Blockbuster, like most major retailers, keeps various stock on hand because it does one of two things:

(1) Generates significant profitable revenue

OR

(2) Doesn't generate significant revenue but brings customers in the door who will then spend additional money on the profitable things

Blu-ray generates small amounts of revenue for them, I'm sure, but they've no doubt noticed enough impact to roll out over a hundred titles in over a thousand stores.

Be that as it may, HD DVD, by their own admission is generating only half the amount of revenue for the same amount of floor space.

Additionally, remember that Blockbuster rents more than just movies. They also rent and sell video games - which brings us to the thought of the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Every PS3 owner, whether they own an HDTV or not, can potentially rent and appreciate a Blu-ray movie disc. The people who come in to rent PS3 games can definitely play every Blu-ray movie on the rack. The same can not be said for every Xbox 360 owner.

Since a good chunk of Blockbuster's business is tied to game rentals, I'm sure this particular phenomenon has not escaped their notice.

Un-business wise? In what way?

Blockbuster, like most major retailers, keeps various stock on hand because it does one of two things:

(1) Generates significant profitable revenue

OR

(2) Doesn't generate significant revenue but brings customers in the door who will then spend additional money on the profitable things



you have answered your own question. Why have 1 or 2 when you can both 1 and 2? By keeping quite and stock BD in <>1700 stores (before the closure of 300 stores :p ) BB can use BD to 'generate revenue' and without incurring any cost (damn they don't even have to do anything) to get those who want HD DVD to come to their stores and get other stuffs. The negative announcement that they are not carrying HD DVD in over <>1400 stores achieved what exactly? Telling potential HD DVD buyers or those who want to rent HD DVD titles not to go to Blockbuster? I mean what the heck is their intention of announcing that in the first place? Can anyone think of one positive outcome from such announcement? please enlighten me! Call me stupid but i can think of one !! :cool:

I still remember the Blockbuster corporate decision to carry the Fullscreen versions of DVD's back in the VHS>DVD transition days. Different story now. Blockbuster is a follower, not a leader. Lower your expectations. They are not a trend-setting operation.

I still remember the Blockbuster corporate decision to carry the Fullscreen versions of DVD's back in the VHS>DVD transition days. Different story now. Blockbuster is a follower, not a leader. Lower your expectations. They are not a trend-setting operation.

I agree that BB was slow on dvd...but they were the only local chain that rented Laser Disc, and are so far the only chain to embrace either format in any big way....so right now they are the trend setters.

I agree that BB was slow on dvd...but they were the only local chain that rented Laser Disc, and are so far the only chain to embrace either format in any big way....so right now they are the trend setters.

I hardly think this is the analogy the BDA Supporters want to see made. ;)

I hardly think this is the analogy the BDA Supporters want to see made. ;)

Probably not, and it wasn't meant as an analogy but as much as some people want to cut on Blockbuster, they are the only chain still around locally (and possibly nationally) since dvd's inception... so they obviously made some good business decisions over the years.

i'm just waiting for the one next to my house to carry them. i have blockbuster total access. love it.

you have answered your own question. Why have 1 or 2 when you can both 1 and 2? By keeping quite and stock BD in <>1700 stores (before the closure of 300 stores :p ) BB can use BD to 'generate revenue' and without incurring any cost (damn they don't even have to do anything) to get those who want HD DVD to come to their stores and get other stuffs. The negative announcement that they are not carrying HD DVD in over <>1400 stores achieved what exactly? Telling potential HD DVD buyers or those who want to rent HD DVD titles not to go to Blockbuster? I mean what the heck is their intention of announcing that in the first place? Can anyone think of one positive outcome from such announcement? please enlighten me! Call me stupid but i can think of one !! :cool:


They use the floorspace that would have contained hd-dvds to carry more blu-rays because those are renting 2x faster than hd-dvds were in their pilot program.

BTW Updated your sig for you. I'd try to update midnightwatcher's sig, but all those links are broken & I'm not sure if the articles are still on the intraweb.

BD movies continuously secondary to HD DVD. There are more than 10 times more BD players. Why week: July 1st show sales ratio = BD 65:35 HD DVD? Answer: HD DVD where true hidef interest lies.

They use the floorspace that would have contained hd-dvds to carry more blu-rays because those are renting 2x faster than hd-dvds were in their pilot program.

BD movies continuously secondary to HD DVD. There are more than 10 times more BD players. Why week: July 1st show sales ratio = BD 65:35 HD DVD? Answer: HD DVD where true hidef interest lies.

i dont mind them doing that as that is a business decision but there is absolutely no need to announce it! therefore, i question their intention on such move.

thankx but waiting for better figure to update my sig lol :D

They use the floorspace that would have contained hd-dvds to carry more blu-rays because those are renting 2x faster than hd-dvds were in their pilot program.

BTW Updated your sig for you. I'd try to update midnightwatcher's sig, but all those links are broken & I'm not sure if the articles are still on the intraweb.

BD movies continuously secondary to HD DVD. There are more than 10 times more BD players. Why week: July 1st show sales ratio = BD 65:35 HD DVD? Answer: HD DVD where true hidef interest lies.

When this was news on CNN....they stated 70% online BD rentals as the reason.

i dont mind them doing that as that is a business decision but there is absolutely no need to announce it! therefore, i question their intention on such move.



So, they are now renting Blu Rays in 1700 stores and they should keep it quiet? I suppose that's good for business..... Don't tell Blu Ray player owning Blockbuster clients that they can now rent Blu Rays in the store..

I have had total access now for about a year now, and the blue ray movies are never available.... Anything that is even slightly new, has a terribly log wait. I took everything SD off of my list just to try to get a couple of BRD titles....... All I can say is the service is garbage, it will roll through 20 titles then send me something I'm really not that interested in seeing but will watch it to enjoy the quality. I love the fact that I can take the movies in store for the additional rentals, but as far as service goes "piss poor"..... NETFLIX is far superior with their HD content, my neighbor receives every new title on BD almost as soon as it comes out through NF.

Has anyone else had this problem, or know a way to speed up the wait time on new titles????? I'm just started with this thread, sorry if this has been asked already.

In addition, with NF you can set the web interface to default every movie to BD if available. I have not figured out how to do this with BBTA, it seems like the only way is to go into collections/BD. Does anyone know if it is possible to set HD content as default????

i dont mind them doing that as that is a business decision but there is absolutely no need to announce it! therefore, i question their intention on such move.


Good point. Companies should just keep quiet all the time. When Toshiba recently announced they had the dedicated player advantage I questioned their intentions. There was absolutely no need to announce it.

Good point. Companies should just keep quiet all the time. When Toshiba recently announced they had the dedicated player advantage I questioned their intentions. There was absolutely no need to announce it.


before quoting people's post, its best to read through his or his posts on the thread ;) thank you :)

I made it into my local store today. I was very surprised as I had not been following the announcement. I had previously asked the store manager a couple of times as to when they would be renting BR titles but they never had an answer for me.

I, as others have posted, also love the fact that I can just walk in at any time and walk out with 3 new releases in hand while the replacements are in the mail. I have also had no issue with turnaround times or availability of titles. There has been a longer wait for new releases on BR but that is mitigated now with in-store rentals.

I do not know how this will hurt or help the ongoing format war. My guess is it will have no effect. Average Joe will have to make the final statement and that is much further down the road as he does not have an HD capable display yet and has no idea why even needs one at this point in his life. He also has no idea what this section of funny looking DVD's in plastic cases are for. He knows he has seen or heard something about high definition video but he continues to pay his $4/rental, drives home and plops it into his $29 dvd player to watch the latest release in all it's glory on the 27" tube purchased for $119.97 at Wally World. :)

All the arguments made in these forums are moot until price points drop even further. Since I am a positive and glass half full sort of person, I will add that the format war is the best thing to happen to high-def video. Competition is the cornerstone of our economy. We would not be seeing the drastic reduction in hardware and software prices without it. I applaud both camps for keeping the fires of competition burning. Long live HD-DVD and BluRay. I would love to eventually own one of each of these players for $29 apiece while picking up the latest 1080P flat screen for $119.97 at my local Wally World. They may even throw in a couple free titles with a combo purchase!! :D

Ok, now everyone get back to your corners, the bell for the next round is about to ring!

JD

i dont mind them doing that as that is a business decision but there is absolutely no need to announce it! therefore, i question their intention on such move.


Wow! And this was said with a straight face?!

This quote is signature worthy! :eek:

Finally made my way to my local BB today. They had one rack of BD movies that consisted of one set of 56 titles. Of the 56 only 4 were missing including my choice "Bridge to Terrabithia".
Looks like not many of my neighbors are renting BD disks. I guess in a sense that's good for me ;), but realistically, seeing only 4 titles were not available, I wonder if my local store will even bother to rent BD disks.
I was also surprised that BD new release rentals are good for 8 days, that's 6 more than standard DVD. :)

^^

rental turnover rates are probably low compared to DVD, therefore they can afford to have people keep the disks longer IMO.

Got off the phone with the district manager of Blockbuster in this area. Basically, not too many stores in this area (Denver) are getting them unfortunately. They did say that they expect the rest of the stores to slowly start getting them in a few months as well if this new rollout is successful. So if there is a BB with Blu-ray near you, please rent. :)

Got off the phone with the district manager of Blockbuster in this area. Basically, not too many stores in this area (Denver) are getting them unfortunately. They did say that they expect the rest of the stores to slowly start getting them in a few months as well if this new rollout is successful. So if there is a BB with Blu-ray near you, please rent. :)

That is the key, but I am afraid the demand is so low, that it won't be an immediate success. I expect the results won't justify increasing the number of stores anytime soon. It has to be a long term plan for Blockbuster to make money on Blu-ray and I think Blockbuster decided to start now to help their underperforming rental business over the long run. The online business and Blu-ray rentals are the only things to try right now. If consumers are moving away from driving to the store to pick up and return DVD's, there is no magic solution to fix that. Something new and exciting like Blu-ray might get a segment of their market back in the stores.

Chris

Finally made my way to my local BB today. They had one rack of BD movies that consisted of one set of 56 titles. Of the 56 only 4 were missing including my choice "Bridge to Terrabithia".


I don't think that there were even that many discs at my local Blockbuster. There was only one disc rented when I was there on Tuesday night (I then rented 3, using two Total Access returns and the monthly free disc coupon).

My immediate reaction to the small number of discs available was that this type of support would do nothing to help the growth of Blu-ray. But now that I'm reading that other people are reporting the availability of as many as 250 Blu-ray discs in their local stores, I'm wondering how Blockbuster has decided on how many Blu-ray discs to stock. Supposedly (according to a friend who works for Hollywood Video), my local Blockbuster is a very high volume store. So, I would have thought that they would be a store with many Blu-ray discs.

I guess I'll take a look at some of the other Blockbusters in my area.

UPDATE: I went to two other Blockbusters in my area today, with mixed results. The second most convenient store for me didn't have any Blu-ray discs (that can't be a good sign of the viability of that store). However, I discovered that another store in my area was one of the test locations for Blu-ray & HD DVD. As someone who is format neutral, I was very pleased to see that. However, when I got to the Blu-ray/HD DVD shelves, I realized why Blockbuster has rented so many more Blu-ray discs than HD DVD's. There were a couple hundred Blu-ray discs, while there were less than 20 HD DVD's. If other test stores were stocking discs in a similar ratio as this one, it's amazing that the rental breakdown was only 70/30.

I have all of 1 BB in my area that rents Bluray. And the title list they have is abysmal. I am in Edmonton, Canada, and it seems to me that BB is truly dragging their collective azzes as far as Bluray is concerned. Not impressed. Surely by now we should be seeing all BBs renting Bluray.

My singular BB store has all of maybe 40 titles IF that of either Bluray or HD.

I asked the guys at my local Blockbuster (Louisville, Colorado) if they've had any BRs returned destroyed yet (you should see how some of the DVDs look; I swear people must hit the "open" button for the disc tray and practice flinging the discs into the tray from across the room.)

They said basically they don't know yet, as the titles that are out have only been rented once and none of the others have gone out at all yet.

So if you want to rent a virgin BR copy of RV, here's your chance. :-)

Frankly, the BR rental penetration looks to be about the same as when the same store used to rent LaserDiscs.

I'd like to add to the rental issues. Below is s screenshot of my queue. Notice the BR formats are all unavaiable. These items have been in my queue for two weeks. Their status has not changed! I also drove to the two closest BB stores in my area. They do NOT have any BR disks and don't know when they will.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/StreamFisher/BB_Queue.jpg

I'd like to add to the rental issues. Below is s screenshot of my queue. Notice the BR formats are all unavaiable. These items have been in my queue for two weeks. Their status has not changed! I also drove to the two closest BB stores in my area. They do NOT have any BR disks and don't know when they will.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/StreamFisher/BB_Queue.jpg

Why do you only have 15 titles in your queue, no offense but you don't seem to be too picky so why don't you add more?

The blockbuster direct link thread in the blu-ray forum should help you increase the size of your queue and increase the chance that you will actually get blu-ray movies sent to you.

I for one am using both BB and Netflix ATM, and it is clear that Netflix has them beat hands down with the online portion. (Blockbuster take note: ease of use and title availability are important)

Why do you only have 15 titles in your queue, no offense but you don't seem to be too picky so why don't you add more?

The blockbuster direct link thread in the blu-ray forum should help you increase the size of your queue and increase the chance that you will actually get blu-ray movies sent to you.

I for one am using both BB and Netflix ATM, and it is clear that Netflix has them beat hands down with the online portion. (Blockbuster take note: ease of use and title availability are important)
I know I can have more items in my queue. But, I think my statement is still valid. I have had these movies in my queue for more than two weeks and their status hasn't changed. That's too long in my opinion.

The long waits for most titles is definitely keeping me from BB at the moment, even if the local store by me had them.

Here's my netflix queue for comparison. Right now I have 30 BD's, only 2 are not available. I also have two out right now which are Letters from Iwo Jima and Four Brothers. (both titles are on wait in Scotts BB queue)

I just hope that this is growing pains for BB until they get their stock up.

another store in my area was one of the test locations for Blu-ray & HD DVD. As someone who is format neutral, I was very pleased to see that. However, when I got to the Blu-ray/HD DVD shelves, I realized why Blockbuster has rented so many more Blu-ray discs than HD DVD's. There were a couple hundred Blu-ray discs, while there were less than 20 HD DVD's. If other test stores were stocking discs in a similar ratio as this one, it's amazing that the rental breakdown was only 70/30.

As I understood, they expanded BD considerably in the original test locations while keeping HD DVD the same or even reducing it. So that may have looked very different during the test period.

UPDATE: I went to two other Blockbusters in my area today, with mixed results. The second most convenient store for me didn't have any Blu-ray discs (that can't be a good sign of the viability of that store). However, I discovered that another store in my area was one of the test locations for Blu-ray & HD DVD. As someone who is format neutral, I was very pleased to see that. However, when I got to the Blu-ray/HD DVD shelves, I realized why Blockbuster has rented so many more Blu-ray discs than HD DVD's. There were a couple hundred Blu-ray discs, while there were less than 20 HD DVD's. If other test stores were stocking discs in a similar ratio as this one, it's amazing that the rental breakdown was only 70/30.From what I've seen the move to have way more BDs than HD DVDs happened way after the report that the rental breakdown was 70+ to 30-. The closest Blockbuster to Microsoft used to have about the same amount of each, but last week they got in a lot more BDs (they were on a cart behind the counter and hadn't put them out yet). The rental ratio will probably change to a lot more than 70/30 in BDs favor in that store, but it looks like Blockbuster has mostly made their choice for their stores at this point. It won't surprise me if they don't get new HD DVDs into these stores at all.

--Darin

The long waits for most titles is definitely keeping me from BB at the moment, even if the local store by me had them.

Here's my netflix queue for comparison. Right now I have 30 BD's, only 2 are not available. I also have two out right now which are Letters from Iwo Jima and Four Brothers. (both titles are on wait in Scotts BB queue)

I just hope that this is growing pains for BB until they get their stock up.
I just looked at your Netflix queue. Now I'm thoroughly pissed off! I'm giving them two more weeks for the BD floodgates to open and them I'm off to Netflix.

I'm happy for you, though.

BBI gets a 10% reduction in their revolving credit amount and talks of reducing the footprint of stores:

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6461371.html

CTD - Circling The Drain

OK, blockbuster online just shipped out Disc 1 of Season 2 of weeds. Disc 2 is "Coming Soon"
What the heck is that all about ???

nevermind : disc 2 is available now. Cool, i'm getting it before tuesday :D

I just looked at your Netflix queue. Now I'm thoroughly pissed off! I'm giving them two more weeks for the BD floodgates to open and them I'm off to Netflix.

This is why I quit BB and went to Netflix. The waits were awful.

Thought I'd post my BB experience for you all. I don't own a BD player but have been considering buying a cheap used 20GB PS3 for to compliment my 360 add-on.

Anyways, the BB I return my online movies to got a bunch in. One display of 48 on the main "new releases" wall, and then another 3 sections kindof hidden in the normal aisles (with the old releases...it was 3 sections at the end of the horror/sci-fi aisle).

So I counted and they had 168 total discs there. Of those a whopping 3 were rented (granted this was a Thursday evening).

I asked the clerk, and he said they've had them for about a week and a half and they were hardly renting any. Although many people were bringing them up to the counter and asking if they would play in their regular DVD player. When he told them they would not and that they needed a special player and how much they were, most people just laughed.

Anyways, people are at least inquiring about them at my local BB, but seem to be put off by the price of the player. At least according to the BB clerk I spoke to (and really, I think his word should be taken as gospel ;) )

Thought I'd post my BB experience for you all. I don't own a BD player but have been considering buying a cheap used 20GB PS3 for to compliment my 360 add-on.

Anyways, the BB I return my online movies to got a bunch in. One display of 48 on the main "new releases" wall, and then another 3 sections kindof hidden in the normal aisles (with the old releases...it was 3 sections at the end of the horror/sci-fi aisle).

So I counted and they had 168 total discs there. Of those a whopping 3 were rented (granted this was a Thursday evening).

I asked the clerk, and he said they've had them for about a week and a half and they were hardly renting any. Although many people were bringing them up to the counter and asking if they would play in their regular DVD player. When he told them they would not and that they needed a special player and how much they were, most people just laughed.

Anyways, people are at least inquiring about them at my local BB, but seem to be put off by the price of the player. At least according to the BB clerk I spoke to (and really, I think his word should be taken as gospel ;) )

Sounds like my first experience @ hollywood video years ago...


"When are you guys going to start carrying DVDs?"


"DVDs? Why on earth would you buy those, they aren't going to make it. "

Adoption takes time people, it did before and it will again.

Looks like a person should have an easy time picking up what they want to see on Blu Ray at their local B&M Blockbuster. That's good news for renters.

Thought I'd post my BB experience for you all. I don't own a BD player but have been considering buying a cheap used 20GB PS3 for to compliment my 360 add-on.

Anyways, the BB I return my online movies to got a bunch in. One display of 48 on the main "new releases" wall, and then another 3 sections kindof hidden in the normal aisles (with the old releases...it was 3 sections at the end of the horror/sci-fi aisle).

So I counted and they had 168 total discs there. Of those a whopping 3 were rented (granted this was a Thursday evening).

I asked the clerk, and he said they've had them for about a week and a half and they were hardly renting any. Although many people were bringing them up to the counter and asking if they would play in their regular DVD player. When he told them they would not and that they needed a special player and how much they were, most people just laughed.

Anyways, people are at least inquiring about them at my local BB, but seem to be put off by the price of the player. At least according to the BB clerk I spoke to (and really, I think his word should be taken as gospel ;) )

The clerks should just tell them that they are movie discs for the PS3 since that's pretty close to the truth for most consumers with average means.

At the moment it works great for me. I have removed most of the BR titles from my Q and am just getting them in the store when I return the online rentals. What is really nice is that all of the copies of Premonition on DVD were out but a copy was available on BR. This is geat while it lasts:)
JD

Blockbuster seems to be having an impact on Netflix with their latest moves: Netflix cut its prices today and its stock dropped 10%.

Some quotes from the CNN article:

Maurice McKenzie, an analyst with Signal Hill Group, said the price cuts are a worrisome sign though. “This signifies a shift toward commoditization. It’s apparent that Blockbuster’s competitive salvos are having an effect,” he said, adding that the price cuts will most likely hurt operating profit margins in the future.

And Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities, suspects that the company may have lost subscribers this quarter and is trying to soften the blow with the price cuts. “They are desperate and have to do something to compete,” he said. “Netflix is in a slow decline.”

were is the link to the article
and my netflix doesnt show any price cut yet.

Blockbuster seems to be having an impact on Netflix with their latest moves: Netflix cut its prices today and its stock dropped 10%.

Some quotes from the CNN article:


http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/netflix-shares-plunge-price-cuts/story.aspx?guid=%7B3B7A48AE-B62C-4E85-86D1-28FF2B745612%7D

Hope this link works. Actually this doesn't surprise me since Blockbuster's is clearly the better business model. An even better model would be B&M locations, via mail and via downloads. Then they'd have all the bases covered.

"Blockbuster is kicking their butts, and they're not used to that," said analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities in an interview.

thanks for the link.
the other guy said cnn and didnt provide a link.

Netflix is indeed having trouble with Blockbuster.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/070723/netflix_results.html?.v=2

Netflix Inc (NasdaqGS:NFLX - News), the largest online DVD rental company, reported its first-ever quarterly drop in subscriptions and missed Wall Street revenue targets in the face of fierce competition from Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI - News)

Netflix dropped another 4% on the news, after falling 12% on the news that they were cutting prices.

Wait, i thought hd-dvd owners said that all blockbusters were ghost towns because no one rents or buys there anymore and that the entire US population used netflix exclusively?? What is happening?!

Wait, i thought hd-dvd owners said that all blockbusters were ghost towns because no one rents or buys there anymore and that the entire US population used netflix exclusively?? What is happening?!

My local one (just started visiting due to blu-ray) was pretty crowded on the weekend. Too bad they were out of stock of 3 different blu-ray titles I wanted to rent.

My local one (just started visiting due to blu-ray) was pretty crowded on the weekend. Too bad they were out of stock of 3 different blu-ray titles I wanted to rent.
Don't you get a free movie if they're out of stock? Isn't that the Blockbuster guarantee?

I went to the closest blockbuster (8 miles) that had Blu-ray. They had two collums on the side wall in the middle of all the new releases there were 63 titles one of each with a blue background that made it stand out. I was a little disappointed I thought they would of had more. They had the second Pirates there but not the first.
So, I was about to leave, turned around and walked down the aisle (I am pretty sure this was the aisle I walked through the first time) and there were the other titles, they ended up having 172 or 174 titles, 6 or 7 were out. All but one of the titles rented were from the blue background. It would have been better if they had the blue background for all the discs. I went in there and was drawn to it and didn't notice the other ones. I don't know if it had anything to do with the movies being rented, but 1 title out of 110 were rented from the non blue background and 5 or 6 out of 63 with the blue background, but it looks that way. Its not like those were all the most recent or top selling it only had the second pirates and the first was in the other section.


Here is a picture from my camera phone Blu-ray is on the left side.

Don't you get a free movie if they're out of stock? Isn't that the Blockbuster guarantee?


pshhh, I was in BB about 2 years ago and there was a new release that was rented out. So I went up to the counter and said hey, such and such is out of stock can I get a free coupon for next time?

The guy crouches down behind the counter and pops back up with a VHS tape of the movie. I tell him I don't have a VCR and he says too bad, but since we have it in stock you don't get a free coupon.

Choosing between Netflix or BB is like choosing between a punch in the nose or a kick in the nads.

Wait, i thought hd-dvd owners said that all blockbusters were ghost towns because no one rents or buys there anymore and that the entire US population used netflix exclusively?? What is happening?!

Blu-ray and Total Access are happening.

That is the key, but I am afraid the demand is so low, that it won't be an immediate success. I expect the results won't justify increasing the number of stores anytime soon. It has to be a long term plan for Blockbuster to make money on Blu-ray and I think Blockbuster decided to start now to help their underperforming rental business over the long run. The online business and Blu-ray rentals are the only things to try right now. If consumers are moving away from driving to the store to pick up and return DVD's, there is no magic solution to fix that. Something new and exciting like Blu-ray might get a segment of their market back in the stores.

Chris


It's already happening.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/070723/netflix_results.html?.v=2

People are moving away from Netflix to Blockbusters Total Access and rightly so since the convenience factor of being able to get 3 movies while waiting for shipments to your home is better than what NEtflix offers.

anyone else feel like back in 1994/1995 when DVDs just came out and BB and others had a shelf full of funny looking packaging?


lol....

i was browsing the 2 column of BR stuff at BB this weekend. this store placed the BR shelves right in the middle of NEW RELEASES and i felt the same sensation from a decade ago.

anyone else feel like back in 1994/1995 when DVDs just came out and BB and others had a shelf full of funny looking packaging?


lol....

i was browsing the 2 column of BR stuff at BB this weekend. this store placed the BR shelves right in the middle of NEW RELEASES and i felt the same sensation from a decade ago.


Yes, I did feel that way the first time I saw the Blu-Ray's at Best Buy :)

Choosing between Netflix or BB is like choosing between a punch in the nose or a kick in the nads.

LOL!! Excellent characterization Rhys. "Please Sir, may I have another!"

JD

The guy crouches down behind the counter and pops back up with a VHS tape of the movie. I tell him I don't have a VCR and he says too bad, but since we have it in stock you don't get a free coupon.

No? Come on. You're kidding, right? That's funny. Why would the minimum wage person care? Maybe they hadn't been there long enough to not care.


Choosing between Netflix or BB is like choosing between a punch in the nose or a kick in the nads.

Ha! Lots of choices are like that. Cable vs. telco.

Blockbuster changes Total Access terms after loss

JULY 26 | Blockbuster reported a $35.3 million second-quarter loss and made a move toward improving profitability by changing the terms of its Total Access program, limiting the number of in-store exchanges a customer can make before being charged more.

Blockbuster is emphasizing the limit to five in-store exchanges per month for its most popular plan, the unlimited online rentals of three movies out a time for $17.99.

But if a customer wants to stick with unlimited in-store exchanges, the price leaps to $24.99, according to the company’s Web site, effectively a $7 price hike. That plan is now called Total Access Premium.

Analysts had been expecting a price hike, but the shift to an in-store exchange limit emphasis was largely a surprise.

James Keyes, Blockbuster’s new chairman and CEO, was somewhat vague about the term changes during the company’s conference call with analysts on second-quarter results, as was a press release on the changes issued shortly after the call.

Rather than characterizing the modifications as a price hike, Keyes stressed the limit on in-store exchanges. If a customer on the $17.99 plan wants to make more than five in-store exchanges per month, an additional $1.99 per rental will be charged, he said. Customers who subscribe to the online-only Blockbuster by Mail program also will have that option, he said.

According to the press release, customers will now be able to exchange their online rentals for discounted in-store game rentals in addition to movies. Previously, Total Access members had the option to get one free game rental per month through a once-per-month coupon.

Blockbuster announced it increased its subscriber count by 600,000 in the second quarter to a total of 3.6 million subscribers, more than 3.3 million of them paid. Netflix, in contrast, lost subscribers during the quarter for the first time.

But Blockbuster’s subscriber increase came at a cost of about $50 million in the quarter, chief financial officer Larry Zine said.

Blockbuster will now suspend its marketing spending on the online program, according to Keyes.

More Here (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6463383.html)

Well thats no good. Then again i don't think i exchange more than 5 in a month. But still, to those that do, that is no good. Their $17.99 deal was actually really too good honestly. 3 movies at once, exchange 3 movies in store, plus get one game or movie rental for free ? You can get around 20+ movies a month if you're an avid movie watcher.

I just got this from Netflix:
Netflix Email

Great news! We're lowering the price of your 3 DVDs out at-a-time plan to $16.99 a month plus applicable taxes. Now you can enjoy Netflix for less!

You don't need to do a thing - except pay less. Your membership will automatically move to the lower price and be reflected in your Membership Terms and Details. The lower price will take effect beginning with your statement on or after July 23, 2007.

Your $16.99 plan not only gives you 3 DVDs out at-a-time but you can also watch 17 hours of movies and TV episodes instantly on your PC each month - for no additional charge.

Enjoy!
Your friends at Netflix

That deal was too good to last. I'm not sure I'll stick with BB anymore, since 5 rentals a month isn't really worth the trip to the store (I was at about 12 each month). Good timing for Netflix since they reported that loss of subscribers.

Any idea when this goes into effect? I have 3 online rentals sitting in my car right now and am exchanging them tonight.

I just got this from Netflix:

Me too, I use both and seems almost like Blockbuster is trying to jerk me around.

Our online availability and implementation blow, but you can come into the store and get BDs for free!*







*assuming you want 5 or less and/or don't mind increasing your monthly payment by 40%

it went into effect yesterday.
most of those already in before yesterday still will have the same benefits as before.

only new subs will have the new rules.

That deal was too good to last. I'm not sure I'll stick with BB anymore, since 5 rentals a month isn't really worth the trip to the store (I was at about 12 each month). Good timing for Netflix since they reported that loss of subscribers.

Any idea when this goes into effect? I have 3 online rentals sitting in my car right now and am exchanging them tonight.

Ironically, I just re-joined Blockbuster on Wednesday. Under my account, it says my current plan is "3 at-a-time, unlimited, unlimited in-store movie exchanges."

The new plans are listed on the website. My guess is for existing Blockbuster subscribers, the changes will go into effect at the start of your next billing cycle. I suspect they have to honor the original terms of the plan (i.e. "unlimited in-store movie exchanges") you signed up for when you were billed for your current month.

I will probably go back to Netflix next month. It seems to take a day longer for movies to get to me from Blockbuster as opposed to Netflix. I don't like BB's on-line interface, especially when it comes to adding high def movies to my queue. Blockbuster's advantage over Netflix was the unlimited in-store exchange but now that is changing.

What the? I exchange at least 12 discs a month in store. Combine this with their less than desirable online availability for HD and I may need to look at switching.

Ironically, I just re-joined Blockbuster on Wednesday. Under my account, it says my current plan is "3 at-a-time, unlimited, unlimited in-store movie exchanges."

The new plans are listed on the website. My guess is for existing Blockbuster subscribers, the changes will go into effect at the start of your next billing cycle. I suspect they have to honor the original terms of the plan (i.e. "unlimited in-store movie exchanges") you signed up for when you were billed for your current month.

I will probably go back to Netflix next month. It seems to take a day longer for movies to get to me from Blockbuster as opposed to Netflix. I don't like BB's on-line interface, especially when it comes to adding high def movies to my queue. Blockbuster's advantage over Netflix was the unlimited in-store exchange but now that is changing.

My feelings exactly. Netflix has a much closer distribution center, so the turnaround is two days faster via mail (one day there and back, as opposed to two days both ways).

I will be able to rent more movies using Netflix than using BB combined with only 5 free rentals.

My only regret will be that with BB, I would return my movies to the store, and browse for unknown movies look good but I've never heard (and thus weren't in my queue). Found a few hidden gems that way.

netflix is known for throttling, right? Both have distribution centers in my city, so I think I may wind up sticking with BB.

I actually have the 1 disc at a time plan with BB and I generally do about 8 in-store exchanges a month. If they charge me an extra $2.00 for every disc over 2/month I will end up spending about $6 more per month than the Netflix 3 at a time plan. There is no way BB is worth it now!

I emailed them and told them I was leaving if they don't grandfather me in!

Some people don't realize that the limit for 3 discs at a time is now 5. However, the limit for 2 and 1 at a time is now only 3 and 2 per month respectively. That is just a rip-off!

it went into effect yesterday.
most of those already in before yesterday still will have the same benefits as before.

only new subs will have the new rules.


It looks like the "grandfathering" effect will only be until September, at which point all subscribers will be subject to the new terms. As posted in another thread:

This is from the blockbuster website. So much for being grandfathered in...

"I received an email stating that my current plan/pricing was changing. When will this happen?

If you joined us prior to May 15, 2007, new plan options and pricing will go into effect on your regular monthly billing date following September 1, 2007. For example, if you are usually billed on the 15th of the month, your new plan and pricing will go into effect on September 15, 2007. You will receive an e-mail with information regarding your changes.

If you joined us after May 15, 2007, you will receive an e-mail at least ten days before your change takes effect."

I haven't seen this mentioned here!

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/misc/nytlogo379x64.gif

Paramount to Drop Blu-Ray HD DVDs

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: August 20, 2007

Filed at 6:47 p.m. ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. will offer next-generation DVDs in the HD DVD format and drop support for Blu-ray, further complicating the race between the competing technologies.

Monday's announcement affects the upcoming DVD releases of the blockbusters ''Shrek the Third'' and ''Transformers,'' along with movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films.

Movies directed by Steven Spielberg, however, will continue to be released in both formats.

Paramount, which owns DreamWorks Pictures and handles home sales for the separate company DreamWorks Animation, previously released movies in both Blu-ray and HD DVD.

''Part of our vision is to aggressively extend our movies beyond the theater, and deliver the quality and features that appeal to our audience,'' said Brad Grey, chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc.

''I believe HD DVD is not only the affordable high-quality choice for consumers, but also the smart choice for Paramount,'' he said.

The competition between Blu-ray and HD DVD has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.

Until recently, many consumers were able to defer the choice because players have been so expensive. But prices have been slashed by about half -- Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray player now sells for $499, and Toshiba Corp.'s cheapest HD DVD player sells for $299, with both likely to include as many as five free movies as an incentive.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation, said consumers seeking to switch to high-definition DVDs will be enticed by the movies available for HD-DVD players. He added the lower price for the Toshiba devices will appeal to the family market.

''It's a game-changer, what they're doing, and it's why we decided to throw in with them,'' Katzenberg said.

Standalone HD DVD players have a bigger slice of the market than Blu-ray players. But when you count Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, which comes with a Blu-ray drive, there are more Blu-ray players in U.S. homes.

Rob Moore, president of Paramount Worldwide Distribution, said market data shows that people who own gaming consoles buy fewer movies than those who invest in a movie-only player.

Andy Parsons, chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association trade group, questioned the studios' decision to adopt HD DVD over Blu-ray, saying price differences between players have diminished in recent months. He said the trend ''is on its way to eliminating any perceived cost advantage the HD DVD format has claimed to have.''

Blu-ray discs can hold more data -- 50 gigabytes compared with HD DVD's 30 GB -- but the technology requires new manufacturing techniques and factories, boosting initial costs.

HD DVDs, on the other hand, are essentially DVDs on steroids, meaning movie studios can turn to existing assembly lines to produce them in mass.

Studios and retailers have been choosing sides in recent months.

With Paramount dropping Blu-ray support, Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. remains the only major studio releasing movies in both formats.

''Spider-Man 3'' will only be available in the Blu-ray DVD format when it is released by Sony Pictures, while people with Blu-ray players won't be able to enjoy the action-thriller ''The Bourne Ultimatum,'' which Universal Pictures will release only in HD DVD.

The Blu-ray format recently got a big boost as Blockbuster Inc. announced it would stock only Blu-ray titles when it expands its high-def DVD offerings this year.

Target Inc., the nation's second-largest retailer, said it will only sell Blu-ray DVD players in its stores in the fourth quarter.

Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox, The Walt Disney Co., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are releasing only in Blu-ray.

Universal, owned by General Electric Co., backs HD DVD exclusively.

netflix is known for throttling, right? Both have distribution centers in my city, so I think I may wind up sticking with BB.

Yah, but speculation is that Netflix doesnt throttle until you hit the 15 or more per month mark. Even then, if you are renting that many movies, is a reorder of your que going to really affect you.

What does throttling mean?

Great! Thanks for reviving this old favorite of a thread. Now we can make fun of BBI for their short sightedness in making the decision that they did.

I emailed BBI and asked that they reconsider HD-DVD at "all" b&m stores.

I currently support both formats in the form of game consoles so I guess I won't be buying any movies on either format according to Paramount. On second thought, now that studios are hardening the lines further we continue to look forward to continued pricing competition in the coming months! I look forward to both formats competing heavily based on price.

What are all of the existing Blockbuster customer's doing about their memberships? Are you resigning or dropping? I received my notice this week informing me that I need to resign a new plan before my renewal date.

I also shot customer service an email asking if I will also loose my 2 free game coupon rentals each month. They confirmed that I will lose them because I have to sign up for a new plan. This changes things for me because the free game rentals kept me coming back to the store as well as the in store exchange of movie titles.

I am really thinking hard about going back to Netflix. Their service was much better when I had them previously. Now that I will not have the advantage of picking up a couple of game rentals for free each month and now get to pay more for reduced customer service is a tough pill to swallow.

JD

I doubt anything will change, PS3 users are growing steadily and the problem of shelf space remains.

What has happened to all of the big BD guys that used to post here every day? Did Sony go and hire a new marketing team?