Target Blu Ray Announcement [Text View]

Supermans

07-25-07, 09:28 AM

Theres a big difference. Blockbuster has been irrelevant and is being destroyed by netflix. Target is one of the biggest retailers. I've been buying the hd DVD versions over bd because of more features, but if this is true, I'll be buying alot more bd.

You may want to look at this..

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djhighlights/200707241333DOWJONESDJONLINE000585.htm

Netflix shares declined sharply Tuesday following its announcement that net subscribers decreased for the first time in the company's history.

After losing more than 12% Monday over concerns that the company is facing increasing pressure from rival Blockbuster Inc., Netflix (NFLX) shares were down 4.2% at $16.54 in Tuesday's action.

SAFOOL

07-25-07, 09:38 AM

Theres a big difference. Blockbuster has been irrelevant and is being destroyed by netflix. Target is one of the biggest retailers. I've been buying the hd DVD versions over bd because of more features, but if this is true, I'll be buying alot more bd.

Did you catch yesterdays news about the hard times netflix is facing? Seems they are losing business to BB's all access plan and theres nothing they can do about it.

JBlacklow

07-25-07, 09:49 AM

http://www.noattitudeproblem.com/images/ostrich.gifNow we just need someone to put the HD DVD logo on there.

Rich Peterson

07-25-07, 10:02 AM

Mods, how about changing the thread title. Folks are entering this thread expecting to read about an announcement but (at this point anyway) it's totally unsubstantiated rumor.

bassmonkeee

07-25-07, 10:10 AM

You may want to look at this..

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djhighlights/200707241333DOWJONESDJONLINE000585.htm

Netflix shares declined sharply Tuesday following its announcement that net subscribers decreased for the first time in the company's history.

After losing more than 12% Monday over concerns that the company is facing increasing pressure from rival Blockbuster Inc., Netflix (NFLX) shares were down 4.2% at $16.54 in Tuesday's action.

I guess this explains the email I got from Netflix telling me my monthly price was going down. Otherwise known as "Please don't go to Blockbuster!"

eskimo2176

07-25-07, 10:11 AM

I guess this explains the email I got from Netflix telling me my monthly price was going down. Otherwise known as "Please don't go to Blockbuster!"

Yep, they are getting hammered. While the BB total access package isn't any sort of marketing genius, it definitely gives them a leg up on Netflix.

Supermans

07-25-07, 10:18 AM

Mods, how about changing the thread title. Folks are entering this thread expecting to read about an announcement but (at this point anyway) it's totally unsubstantiated rumor.

Oh no, is it going to be time for an hourly "obligatory thread title change" in order to spin the thread title so it appears to be in HD DVD's favor...

BTW Rich,

It isn't unsubstantiated since the same source that broke the news of Blockbuster's news weeks in advance got it right that time and is an insider. Until he is proven wrong, he has every right to make these announcements..

vladi123456

07-25-07, 10:27 AM

So where's the big announcement though?? It's almost 9.30AM in Dallas - you'd think they would say something by now - if they had anything to say?

Penton-Man

07-25-07, 10:32 AM

AFAIK, Pentonman is NOT an insider. He posts stuff from the web and what he gets as PM from Paidgeek (who is an insider).

I think the moderators on this forum have the power and could, if so inclined to do so, to disprove your *theory*. They have my permission to review and post ANY pm’s I’ve received from the paidgeek.

For the record, people that have followed the Qualia 006 display thread know that I've posted *insider* information on that thread concerning various aspects of the industry----months, perhaps years? even before I had the pleasure of meeting paidgeek. :)

Eat your heart out. :D

Rich Peterson

07-25-07, 10:38 AM

Oh no, is it going to be time for an hourly "obligatory thread title change" in order to spin the thread title so it appears to be in HD DVD's favor...
What a ridiculous statement. There is no announcement. The thread title implies there is. This has nothing to do with HD DVD.

Rooper

07-25-07, 10:50 AM

Did you catch yesterdays news about the hard times netflix is facing? Seems they are losing business to BB's all access plan and theres nothing they can do about it.

Hard times seems a bit harsh. Basically Netflix subscibers have topped out (even decling slightly), but they still make a profit. It does appear that Netflix is losing subscibers to Blockbuster Total Access ( I mean the lost subscribers likely went somewhere), but Netflix as a company is doing okay.

JE3146

07-25-07, 11:02 AM

Here you go. :D
http://www.lynxfx.com/forumpics/universalgoblu.gif

I love it!

Mike C

07-25-07, 11:10 AM

If no announcement is made this thread will be locked... Nothing but conjecture so far.

bunkaroo

07-25-07, 11:20 AM

While Target going exclusive would be a great thing for the format, I'd be more excited if their prices got better. I still won't be paying them $29.99 + tax for most BD releases that I could get for $21.xx shipped from Amazon.

There is something to be said for the convenience of picking something up locally, but right now that convenience isn't worth ~$10 per disc. Maybe after my Amazon Prime and 10% discount end.

Supermans

07-25-07, 11:23 AM

Supermans

07-25-07, 11:24 AM

pete GTP

07-25-07, 11:32 AM

The only thing I use Target for is to get the price match at BB or CC. Got to love Target using Amazon for online.

I would use Target but thier selection sucks in my area last time I checked.

Target's online uses Amazon.com, however I wonder if the pick up in store option would be disabled for HD DVD's if they do go Blu-Ray exclusive...

jkcheng122

07-25-07, 11:32 AM

Paidgeek and Penton-Man are in a position to know stuff before it happens regarding BD. I have faith that the announcement is going to happen, it is just a matter of what time today or tomorrow. It's the same as Amir making a statement about some insider info as he's done in the past...

they never said what the announcement is going to be did they? we're supposed to hear an announcement today sure, but did they actually say anything about what the announcement will be.

BGLeduc

07-25-07, 12:21 PM

Okay. I don't even think my Target carries any HD formats. As a matter of fact, I don't think Wal-Mart does either.

Maybe not where you live....

My local WM recently remodeled and went from a handful of HD/BR titles to maybe 15 linear feet of shelf space to HD and BR. Prices aren't bad either; maybe half way between BB prices (horrible) and Amazon (not too bad).

BGL

Mongoos150

07-25-07, 12:50 PM

Suppose there's no announcement...?

JTYoung

07-25-07, 12:55 PM

The shelf space and selection of Blu-Ray and HD DVD media available at Target is very small. Recently the prices have gone up as well, the average price for either format is now around $29.

Penton-Man

07-25-07, 01:26 PM

It's a little early in the day for announcements.
Unless somebody falls asleep at the switch, I would expect to see something out LATE this afternoon/early evening probably over the AP.

Penton-Man

07-25-07, 01:26 PM

Suppose there's no announcement...?
See-
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=143870#post143870

Penton-Man

07-25-07, 01:28 PM

I assume the name he posts under has some significance, but I don't pretend to know what.
Displayed on da wall :)

Jiffylush

07-25-07, 01:30 PM

See-
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=143870#post143870

So still nothing?

JosephShaw

07-25-07, 02:24 PM

Also, Target sells more HD DVD players than BD standalones now

Maybe your Target has them, but here in North Texas/DFW area, I have yet to find a Target store that carries any next-gen players, and target.com is selling the HD-A1 through Amazon.

sev1512

07-25-07, 03:09 PM

So still nothing?

Sure looks like nothing.

Jiffylush

07-25-07, 03:11 PM

Sure looks like nothing.

Still some people saying that something is coming today, but I agree, looks like nothing to me.

plazman

07-25-07, 03:16 PM

Look out for a statement CoB today from

Jiffylush

07-25-07, 03:16 PM

Look out for a statement CoB today from

:glare:

still nothing

metalsaber

07-25-07, 03:22 PM

Mayb it was about the Sammy Dual Format player?

bassmonkeee

07-25-07, 03:53 PM

Heh, I'd like to think they'd spell "Exclusively" correctly, though. :D

vladi123456

07-25-07, 03:53 PM

I predict we will see something like this :)

****For Entertainment Purposes Only****

~Josh
That looks like it came from Target itself :)
The only problem I see with that is at my local Target they had shelf space for about 15 titles of each Blu-ray and HD DVD, and half of that shelf space didnt have any disks at all. So if they really had anywhere close to 80/20 sales ratio - it must've been 20 movies sold on blu-ray versus 5 on hd dvd - at least in my store! Most prices were $39.99 on the available titles - I personally don't believe anybody would pay so much for a movie at Target. And if they've made a decision based on a pitiful amount of sales they've had - it just seems awkward - thats all.....

bunkaroo

07-25-07, 03:55 PM

"Robert J. Ulrich states, "For the past 12 months we have sold both HD DVD and Blu-ray disc in a portion of our stores and the consumers are sending us a clear message that they prefer the Blu-ray disc format by an 80:20 margin. We are pleased to exclusively offer Blu-ray disc in all of our North American stores."

Wow, if that's true, I'm surprised. I would have thought it would be more like 60/40, considering Target had over a dozen HD-DVD titles at 19.99 for a while. I picked up a lot of my initial HD-DVD like Batman Begins there last year.

But then again, I haven't bought any HD-DVD's there this year, and I have bought at least 4 or 5 Blu-Ray when they were selling at prices rivaling online (got Night At The Museum and Deja Vu for$25 for instance).

EDIT: IF THIS IS TRUE, it should be a fairly significant news story, and IMO is more significant than the Blockbuster news since Target is probably one of the most popular retailers out there. If they do decide to start buying in bulk perhaps their prices will come down more.

dpags

07-25-07, 03:57 PM

^Read the fine print under the quote box :)

Bailey151

07-25-07, 03:58 PM

Now that this appears to be true, it should be a fairly significant news story, and IMO is more significant than the Blockbuster news since Target is probably one of the most popular retailers out there. If they do decide to start buying in bulk perhaps their prices will come down more.

To aid those that might think this is true (it's NOT yet......tomorrow?)

****For Entertainment Purposes Only****

AaronSCH

07-25-07, 04:14 PM

Beatboy77, with all due respect, producing something to look like a press release only creates rumor, regardless of your feeble attempt to point out its chicanery. Wouldn't it be better to stick to the facts? Or would you prefer to have phoney information pervade these threads? I think the valid news releases are enough to bolster the idea that Blu-ray is quickly moving in a triumphant direction.

xbdestroya

07-25-07, 04:16 PM

I agree, this thing is too heated as it is without the potential for mass false reporting to be triggered by something like a faux press release. Let's just temper expectations, and wait for whatever it is to be announced.

beatboy77

07-25-07, 04:18 PM

AaronSCH

07-25-07, 04:21 PM

Just haveing some fun guys :)

~Josh

Then you would have used a bold font to clarify that it was simply a creation of your own. However, you chose to use a smaller font as a somewhat vague disclaimer. it isn't honest. Is this how you conduct business? I hope not.

bunkaroo

07-25-07, 04:24 PM

^Read the fine print under the quote box :)

Noted. :)

rlsmith

07-25-07, 04:26 PM

beatboy77

07-25-07, 04:28 PM

Then you would have used a bold font to clarify that it was simply a creation of your own. However, you chose to use a smaller font as a somewhat vague disclaimer. it isn't honest. Is this how you conduct business? I hope not.

It is now in bold.

~Josh

jkcheng122

07-25-07, 04:38 PM

mods,

Please close this thread.

As far as I am concerned, this is all rumor-level stuff. If it happens it happens.

Personally, I don't think that it makes a lot of sense for a retailer to make this kind of move right now. [It does for a rental firm but that is a different business.] This adds to my skepticism.

As always, I welcome any attempt to shut down the format war that does not prolong it.

mods already said they will close if by tomorrow we dont hear an announcement. why would it not make any sense for retailers to do this? shelf spaces are just as valueable for retailers as they are for rental stores.

AaronSCH

07-25-07, 04:42 PM

...why would it not make any sense for retailers to do this? shelf spaces are just as valueable for retailers as they are for rental stores.

I agree, but it isn't verified by any reliable source yet. Hasn't enough factual information been reported the last few days that makes the scenario look incredibly rosey for Blu-ray already? I enjoy AVS forum more than any other on the net but it has developed a less than stand up reputation in some quarters because of these posts.

Jiffylush

07-25-07, 05:16 PM

Target Corp., the nation's second-largest retailer, will start selling a Sony Blu-ray high-definition DVD player during the critical holiday shopping period and feature the player along with DVDs in the format in store displays, dealing a potential blow to the rival HD DVD format.

The move, which the companies will formally announce Thursday, is another step in resolving a format war that has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.

Target will sell the Sony BDP-S300 for $499 in October and display it along with Blu-ray DVDs from three studios, including Sony and The Walt Disney Co., at the ends of store aisles.

The Target announcement came five weeks after a decision by video rental chain Blockbuster Inc. to offer only Blu-ray titles when it expands its high-def offerings this fall.

Blu-ray is backed by Sony Corp., which developed it. Most Hollywood studios are releasing films either exclusively in Blu-ray or together with the rival HD DVD format, which is backed by its developer, Toshiba Corp.

Only Universal Studios, a unit of General Electric Corp., is releasing films exclusively in HD DVD.

Both formats offer a crisper, brighter high definition picture as well as more storage that allows interactive features and games to be packaged with movies.

Consumers have been slow to embrace either format, worried they might get stuck with a losing technology.

Target does not sell high-def DVD players in its stores, although it does sell a Toshiba player for $299 on its Web site

Target stores do sell an HD DVD add-on for the Microsoft X-Box 360 as well as Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3, which comes with a Blu-ray player built in.

Target would not say why it decided to sell only Blu-ray players. Sony is paying a fee to have their products featured in the end-of-aisle display, called an endcap, although Sony executives said the retailer contacted them about the decision.

"We are not proclaiming one format vs. the other as the preferred consumer technology, and software will continue to be available to our guests in both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD format," Target spokeswoman Brie Heath said.

Target will track customer feedback and adjust offerings as necessary, Heath said.

The HD DVD camp was not fazed by the Target decision, pointing out that HD DVD players continue to outsell Blu-ray players, which are at least twice the cost. They also point out that HD DVD players and DVDs are featured in endcap displays in Circuit City and Best Buy stores.

HD DVD promoters also contend that consumers are more influenced by price than product selection.

"HD DVD players are the most affordable," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group. "It's one thing to have a player featured, but it's another if it doesn't sell."

While more titles are available in the Blu-ray format, this fall should provide a head-to-head contest between the two formats.

Two blockbuster films - "Spider-Man 3," from Sony and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" from Disney - will be available exclusively on Blu-ray.

The HD DVD camp will be counting on sales of the blockbuster film "300," from Warner Bros., which will be released in both formats, and the first season of the popular sci-fi TV show "Heroes," which will be available exclusively on HD DVD.

---

AP Business Writer Joshua Freed contributed to this story from Minneapolis

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20070725/APF/707250873

Delta_FX

07-25-07, 05:28 PM

Great post Jiffy, but not exactly what I was looking for. I was expecting them to announce exclusivity to Blu-ray!

ckenisell

07-25-07, 05:29 PM

Ooohh. They'll sell a player. Big deal.

Jiffylush

07-25-07, 05:35 PM

Fairly boring imho, I guess it is nice that they have endcaps and will be selling the player but I (and many others) have already seen the S301 prominently displayed at Costco with an HDMI cable for $50 less than that price.

dpags

07-25-07, 05:36 PM

Ooohh. They'll sell a player. Big deal.

Sure it is, especially since an HD-DVD player will be nowhere in sight.

bunkaroo

07-25-07, 05:43 PM

I'd like to know where in the electronics section it will be.

A lot of times the TV's are on the back wall. I'm guessing this will be on one of the shorter endcaps they usually keep right around the register in the electronics section.

I just hope this announcement equals cheaper prices in Target. Having an endcap for the holidays is a good thing, but $30 movies is not.

If this is part of their holiday reset, I imagine it will be in place by the end of August or early September.

vladi123456

07-25-07, 05:44 PM

Sure it is, especially since an HD-DVD player will be nowhere in sight.
There's a lot of electronics that are nowhere in sight at Target. Does anybody even shop at Target for electronics?? They should follow Walmart and improve their selection of TVs first - I think the largest LCD they have is either 37 or 42 inch - pretty lame....

Jiffylush

07-25-07, 05:45 PM

I'd like to know where in the electronics section it will be.

A lot of times the Tv are on the back wall. I'm guessing this will be on one of the shorter endcaps they usually keep right around the register in the electronics section.

I just hope this announcement equals cheaper prices in Target. Having an endcap for the holidays is a good thing, but $30 movies is not.

If this is part of their holiday reset, I imagine it will be in place by the end of August or early September.

Agreed on software pricing, it would be nice to be able to pick up a movie locally without walking out of the store funny, especially since I am already in the store for something else on a regular basis.

vladi123456

07-25-07, 05:46 PM

I'd like to know where in the electronics section it will be.

A lot of times the Tv are on the back wall. I'm guessing this will be on one of the shorter endcaps they usually keep right around the register in the electronics section.

I just hope this announcement equals cheaper prices in Target. Having an endcap for the holidays is a good thing, but $30 movies is not.

If this is part of their holiday reset, I imagine it will be in place by the end of August or early September.
The article says Target will start selling them in October.
As far as movie prices - I see more $39.99 titles at my Target than $30 ones. Hopefully they will be more realistic if they wanna sell any...

Mel2

07-25-07, 05:48 PM

very good news. with only the blu-ray player in stores, that will make consumers decisions easier. and the idiotic statement by the hd-dvd camp that product selection doesn't matter. whatever. that's what matters to me. plus the endcaps of blu will dwarf the red. seems like a big announcement to me.

plazman

07-25-07, 05:50 PM

They may have an xbox HD DVD drive demo as well...Tosh may decide to pay as well. That Target would carry the BDP300 was known for sometime, I had expected it would be a unique SKU with a lower MSRP to help drive sales....$499 won't move at Target, they are going to make money from renting the end cap space, not selling players.

Where does it say they are exclusive? The xbox drive is sold and will continue to be sold....The xbox drive is more along what sells at Target, especially if there is a price cut in Oct/Nov.

Tosh players will continue to be sold online, where they already outsell the Sony player. FWIW.

solo88

07-25-07, 05:54 PM

You can't really compare the X-Box add-on to a Blu-ray player.

The point is those looking for standalones will only have one choice: Blu-ray.

They have to buy an X-Box 360 if they want to use the HD DVD add-on, and Universal and HD DVD tell us gamers don't watch movies anyway. And even if they did, they can get it all in one package: the PS3. :D

They have to get the common man and standalones are the way to do it. Those of us watcgubg HD with our PS3s and X-Boxes, are a bit farther ahead of the mainstream crows, and smaller in number.

The next move for Toshiba will probably be just to build a player into every TV they make. I think they're determined to crash the whole company.

bunkaroo

07-25-07, 05:57 PM

The article says Target will start selling them in October.
As far as movie prices - I see more $39.99 titles at my Target than $30 ones. Hopefully they will be more realistic if they wanna sell any...

Ah I missed the October thing.

The only 39.99 titles I see at Target are Uni Combos, although Children of Men seems to be on a long-term temporary price cut to 29.99.

plee

07-25-07, 05:59 PM

HiddenDepth

07-25-07, 06:23 PM

Haha. LOL @ those who flamed beatboy77. You all got owned, he was right.

AND ckenisell pls SU!

Shug7272

07-25-07, 06:28 PM

I have a pal who is a buyer for Target(not movies) says Paidgeek is full of poop, and that they intend to milk both formats. I then of course told him, would be nice if you had a decent selection :D
Looks like your buyer is full of poop. LMAO.

Ooops.. edit. I forgot to say. This target deal doesnt matter, its no big deal. :rolleyes:

Great news for Blu Ray!!!!

Shug7272

07-25-07, 06:34 PM

mods already said they will close if by tomorrow we dont hear an announcement. why would it not make any sense for retailers to do this? shelf spaces are just as valueable for retailers as they are for rental stores.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/25/ap3952696.html

Forbes and the AP are reporting it??? Do we need to close this thread until October to see if it really happens. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: You people should sell tickets to read this stuff. LMAO

The HD DVD camp will be counting on sales of the blockbuster film "300" from Warner Bros.,which will be released in both formats

BWAA HAHAHA.. Hell of a counter move.

cheezycheech

07-25-07, 06:38 PM

ok, onto the next topic.

isn't universal's contract up in the 3rd quarter? hm....

jfischer

07-25-07, 06:38 PM

The point is those looking for standalones will only have one choice: Blu-ray.

Yeah, if they shop exclusively at Target. Honestly, how many people go to Target to buy a $500 piece of CE gear anyway?

bunkaroo

07-25-07, 06:42 PM

Haha. LOL @ those who flamed beatboy77. You all got owned, he was right.

AND ckenisell pls SU!

Well I wouldn't go that far. I believe the original contention was Target being BD exclusive. While the news is certainly favorable for BD, it's not an exclusivity agreement by a long shot.

Shug7272

07-25-07, 06:43 PM

Yeah, if they shop exclusively at Target. Honestly, how many people go to Target to buy a $500 piece of CE gear anyway?
Thats easy to answer... if the people are looking for a Blu Ray player 100 percent if hd dvd 0 percent. Besides your question is just intended to take away from this story and your whole argument is, how many people buy ce gear at target? I dunno... neither do you. Whats your point. Targets point is they aint selling HD DVD which means ANY customer that asks for a HD DVD player will be told "We dont sell those....but we do have Blu Ray!!"

Well I wouldn't go that far. I believe the original contention was Target being BD exclusive. While the news is certainly favorable for BD, it's not an exclusivity agreement by a long shot. It is good for HD DVD ... how..??..? Its not, its all great for blu ray. Sorry you guys got owned.

bunkaroo

07-25-07, 06:45 PM

Yeah, if they shop exclusively at Target. Honestly, how many people go to Target to buy a $500 piece of CE gear anyway?

From January to October, I'd say not tons of people (possibly some during the back to school/college sales for dorm rooms). But in November and December it should be significant.

With the right display and titles with decent prices, they could move a decent amount of these. Target is huge for holiday shopping.

Joon TV

07-25-07, 06:47 PM

It's Official. The Op Was Right. Target Is Going Exclusive with BD Players. Ha Ha!!!!! Woohoo!!!!

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=349

bunkaroo

07-25-07, 06:47 PM

Thats easy to answer... if the people are looking for a Blu Ray player 100 percent if hd dvd 0 percent. Besides your question is just intended to take away from this story and your whole argument is, how many people buy ce gear at target? I dunno... neither do you. Whats your point. Targets point is they aint selling HD DVD which means ANY customer that asks for a HD DVD player will be told "We dont sell those....but we do have Blu Ray!!"

It is good for HD DVD ... how..??..? Its not, its all great for blu ray. Sorry you guys got owned.

Well first, I wasn't someone who got "owned" because I didn't bash him for posting it, but I guess I shouldn't expect you to be accurate.

Secondly, please show me the part in my post where I said it was good for HD-DVD.

Enthusiasm is good. Fanaticism is bad.

cheezycheech

07-25-07, 06:56 PM

Yeah, if they shop exclusively at Target. Honestly, how many people go to Target to buy a $500 piece of CE gear anyway?

first off, how many people actually buy more than one player? 2 at most. but ask yourself, how many people go and buy q-tips at target and end up buying movies at the same time. hypothetically, if target decides to stock 100 bd titles/5 bd players and 10 hd dvd titles/1 hd dvd player, what do you think a customer's perception will be for a particular format? same exact marketing as blockbuster more titles, more exposure, more money, less investment, better return rate, more appealing kickback from the bd camp. it's no science, you have waaay more support from CE's, studios, consumers swaying towards one format. you can hate on sony all you want but the bda camp is made up of more than one mfg. denial is the first psychological reaction. then come the excuses.

Joon TV

07-25-07, 07:00 PM

There will be no HD-DVD players. Only Blu-Ray players. Look at my post 3 spots up guys. It is official. Target said they are not stocking HD-DVD players but sell movies for both formats.

ResOGlas

07-25-07, 07:03 PM

The HD DVD camp will be counting on sales of the blockbuster film "300" from Warner Bros.,which will be released in both formats

BWAA HAHAHA.. Hell of a counter move.

ROFL!

UxiSXRD

07-25-07, 07:05 PM

At the very least, this will mean more shelf space for the Blu-ray movies themselves, as they're almost certainly going to stock movies on the same endcap as the players (much like they're doing with the current PS3 endcap, which is separate from the display/demo area and HDDVD/Blu-ray rack).

But yeah lots of people calling for locks, etc if not outright ridiculing beatboy have some apologizing to do. Not that I expect any of them to man up to it.

ChromeZombiez

07-25-07, 07:14 PM

In addition if a customer goes to target to buy an HDTV the option is available for them to purchase a Blu-ray player that will play movies on his/hers new purchase. Also the stocking of Blu-ray is a marketing tool for the average consumer looking around the electonics store.....HD movies=Blu-ray!

Slim GoodBooty

07-25-07, 07:22 PM

This was a another one of those announcements. I really don't think it is a big deal that Target is going to carry a player. If that player is $200, that might be another situation.

Slim GoodBooty

07-25-07, 07:23 PM

jkcheng122

07-25-07, 08:38 PM

so they wont sell hd-dvd players anymore but will sell the discs? that makes no sense, arent the players selling better than the discs?

Swift Mojo Hand

07-25-07, 09:20 PM

Right now, HD movies=DVD for 98% of consumers.

Although I would put the number a little lower maybe 90%, GoodBooty has a point, sad but true. Target a lot of times has some great deals on SD DVD's. The problem is I have never had a stock boy try to sell me anything at Target so I doubt the adverage joe is going to understand he needs a Blu-ray player to go with his nice new HDTV.

swanlee

07-25-07, 09:25 PM

Yep yet another non event, this is becoming common place here, get hyped up then get let down. Wow Target is goig to sell a BLU-RAY player but sell discs from both camps. Whoopy the war is over.

metalsaber

07-25-07, 09:26 PM

Target was already selling a BD player the PS3.

GizmoDVD

07-25-07, 10:05 PM

Chris Rein

07-25-07, 10:21 PM

So Sony PAID Target to have an endcap and they will be carrying a $500 item that very few Target shoppers would want is news? I would be saying the same thing if it was the HD-A2 at that price. The A2s did not sell at Wal-Mart and thats when HD DVD was killing Blu-Ray in sales.

Oh well, these will be nice when on clearance.

Sony has to spend their money somewhere while they can.

If developers start making games for the PS3 (GASP!), consider the BD chuckwagon to slow down. I think Sony knows this, and is throwing all their eggs in one basket for a huge push before the titles start to come into gamers hands. Just a thought, and nothing fact based, but of all those PS3's sold (did I actually say "all of those"?) how many are actually using them as BD players? Sure, right now, a lot as they need some return on investment here. But when the games come? Hmmm.

Anyway, this is interesting news. I really don't care who wins or loses. I just want one damn format so I can start beefing up my purchases again like I did with SD DVD. This war is silly. Think of it this way, if Microsoft put in an HD-DVD drive back when they started selling the 360, there wouldn't even be a war....

Supermans

07-25-07, 10:21 PM

briankmonkey

07-25-07, 10:23 PM

Slim GoodBooty

07-25-07, 10:25 PM

Target was already selling a BD player the PS3.I did think that was the only one that mattered.

jfischer

07-25-07, 10:25 PM

It is good for HD DVD ... how..??..? Its not, its all great for blu ray. Sorry you guys got owned.

Why is it that the discussion of these formats always has to degenerate to the playground level?

cheezycheech

07-25-07, 10:32 PM

Sony has to spend their money somewhere while they can.

If developers start making games for the PS3 (GASP!), consider the BD chuckwagon to slow down. I think Sony knows this, and is throwing all their eggs in one basket for a huge push before the titles start to come into gamers hands. Just a thought, and nothing fact based, but of all those PS3's sold (did I actually say "all of those"?) how many are actually using them as BD players? Sure, right now, a lot as they need some return on investment here. But when the games come? Hmmm.

Anyway, this is interesting news. I really don't care who wins or loses. I just want one damn format so I can start beefing up my purchases again like I did with SD DVD. This war is silly. Think of it this way, if Microsoft put in an HD-DVD drive back when they started selling the 360, there wouldn't even be a war....

well, my daily routine shows that i either game and/or go on the internet while listening to music when i get home from work. usually average about 2-3 hours. then when the woman comes home, eat dinner, watch local news, and then stick in a movie before we go to bed. so yeah, i use bd 50% of the time. we do this about 3-4 times a week with rentals or new movie purchases. how many people do this? i dunno but majority of the folks i know are big movie buffs and they have been buying bd's left and right... they have samsung and ps3 players. i don't want to see their catalog of bd titles. probably put mine to shame and i have over well over 25 movies that i like and watch. i don't see it slowing down...

theone2

07-25-07, 10:41 PM

Yep yet another non event, this is becoming common place here, get hyped up then get let down. Wow Target is goig to sell a BLU-RAY player but sell discs from both camps. Whoopy the war is over.

:D

GizmoDVD

07-25-07, 11:02 PM

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/25/ap3952696.html

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=349

At least this silences all of you naysayers who tried to get this thread derailed or closed. Now you die hards have moved from "this is rumor and shouldn't be paid attention to" to "this announcement is not important and who goes to Target for electronics"... LOL... The predictability of the HD DVD spin machine is well...predictable....

Yes...how dare we.

Beatboy gets information 24 hours before hand, we doubt him, it actually happens, and now all his rumors in the future are credible? Still waiting for Fox and we've heard several times 'next week...' or 'soon...like 5 days soon'....Sorry, but you will ALWAYS have people that take anything beatboy says with a grain of salt for this very reason.

Cole5

07-25-07, 11:03 PM

Alright. It's after 9:00. Isn't it past all of your bed time?

JTYoung

07-25-07, 11:14 PM

briankmonkey

07-25-07, 11:15 PM

Alright. It's after 9:00. Isn't it past all of your bed time?

not in Pasadena, CA ;) That's when I start Ghost Rider on blu-ray. I fully expect it to suck but I've got to test out my new setup with something new.

Slim GoodBooty

07-25-07, 11:16 PM

A $500 player isn't going to generate sales, in fact it will probably cost Sony more money to put them on an endcap than they will make off the deal. The big winner here is Target because Sony probably ponied up a truckload of cash for that premium space.
Well, I can't see how Target will be featuring a $500 player, and this is about $100,000,000,000 not an endcap at Target.

Slim GoodBooty

07-25-07, 11:17 PM

not in Pasadena, CA ;) That's when I start Ghost Rider on blu-ray. I fully expect it to suck but I've got to test out my new setup with something new.
It sux. :(

ResOGlas

07-25-07, 11:28 PM

It sux. :(

lol. Yeah, Ghost Rider was my worst blind buy thus far.

Edit:
Sh*t, this really opened my eyes. I'm going to go down and open up a Blockbuster account tonight. I've had a few bad blind purchases, I really need to stop "collecting" HDM.

Slim GoodBooty

07-25-07, 11:28 PM

lol. Yeah, Ghost Rider was my worst blind buy thus far.

It wasn't even fun.

briankmonkey

07-25-07, 11:30 PM

I hope it has at least decent eye and ear candy like Crank. I'm happy I'm in walking distance of Blockbust and they actually have a fairly good selection (I thoght it sucked last time I was there but discovered today that they have a section on the outer wall and then a row as well), just not enough copies

Edit:
Sh*t, this really opened my eyes. I'm going to go down and open up a Blockbuster account tonight. I've had a few bad blind purchases, I really need to stop "collecting" HDM.

I'm glad I didn't buy Crank, lol.

vvha313

07-25-07, 11:33 PM

Sony has to spend their money somewhere while they can.

If developers start making games for the PS3 (GASP!), consider the BD chuckwagon to slow down. I think Sony knows this, and is throwing all their eggs in one basket for a huge push before the titles start to come into gamers hands. Just a thought, and nothing fact based, but of all those PS3's sold (did I actually say "all of those"?) how many are actually using them as BD players? Sure, right now, a lot as they need some return on investment here. But when the games come? Hmmm.

Anyway, this is interesting news. I really don't care who wins or loses. I just want one damn format so I can start beefing up my purchases again like I did with SD DVD. This war is silly. Think of it this way, if Microsoft put in an HD-DVD drive back when they started selling the 360, there wouldn't even be a war....

The last time I checked most people who play games also watch movies :eek: . Hard as it may be to believe I, being one of millions of ps3 owners worldwide, routinely use my system for both games and BD movies. Sure when more and better games are released I will buy more games. However that sure isn't gonna stop me from enjoying BD movies.

ResOGlas

07-25-07, 11:36 PM

Think of it this way, if Microsoft put in an HD-DVD drive back when they started selling the 360, there wouldn't even be a war....

The war wouldn't be over, it virtually would have never started!

briankmonkey

07-25-07, 11:47 PM

The last time I checked most people who play games also watch movies :eek: . Hard as it may be to believe I, being one of millions of ps3 owners worldwide, routinely use my system for both games and BD movies. Sure when more and better games are released I will buy more games. However that sure isn't gonna stop me from enjoying BD movies.

I've never met a gamer that didn't like movies, none of the 50+ people on my Live friends list, PSN list, etc. Having more games certainly has never stopped me from watching a movie I want to watch or listening to a CD I enjoy, etc.

DrCrawn

07-25-07, 11:54 PM

Point me to a $299-$349 BD player that meets all the specs and I will gladly buy it, from Target or anyone. :o

pier0188

07-25-07, 11:58 PM

xbdestroya

07-26-07, 12:03 AM

As far as the BDA is concerned (because yes I agree that Sony is paying for these endcaps), the benefit of this announcement is obviously not sales-related, but mindshare related. Whether the hundreds of thousands/millions of people that see these displays will look to purchase one or not is not the aim so much as the message that it reinforces in the general public of: "Blu-ray."

TwinTurboZX

07-26-07, 12:11 AM

Damn, I thought all the HDDVD fanboy drivel in the Denon thread was entertaining... this takes the cake. Admit it already, this is big news because it shows the general population which is the format of the future. Don't worry though, once the war is over you guys can still watch your low bitrate VC-soft encoded discs until your cheaply made Toshiba player croaks. Then you can buy a Blu-ray player and enjoy real HD movies at proper bit-rates.

Major damage control going on in this thread! ;)

the49ola

07-26-07, 12:13 AM

The four targets in my area already have BD on an endcap of the store with ps3 hardware and games. They also have the ps3 in the general gaming section with the Xbox, ps2, and psp. The wii and ds have a section of their own. The wii is also on an endcap. So I assume that anyone walking in these general areas of target in my area will definitly know what bluray is. Noticed my local walmart had the sony 300 on the shelves with the other sddvd players and recorders. Blu-ray is definitly positioning itself for the holiday season when great movies will be avaialble.

GizmoDVD

07-26-07, 12:25 AM

The last time I checked most people who play games also watch movies :eek: . Hard as it may be to believe I, being one of millions of ps3 owners worldwide, routinely use my system for both games and BD movies. Sure when more and better games are released I will buy more games. However that sure isn't gonna stop me from enjoying BD movies.

Funny, I remember that about UMD. Once games came out...movie sales die. We all know how well THAT format went over.

Mel2

07-26-07, 12:29 AM

it's all about the 4th quarter. a person with any common sense would know this holiday season season will be owned by blu-ray. and i love how ignorant the hd-dvd choir boys already think they know how much space target is giving blu-ray media. seems alot like jealousy to me. but if this news was the other way around they would be having a toga party right about now. "people should know when they're conquered"

xbdestroya

07-26-07, 12:34 AM

Funny, I remember that about UMD. Once games came out...movie sales die. We all know how well THAT format went over.

I notice you own a PS3... perhaps for watching Blu-ray movies?

How many UMD's did/do you own?

You're talking the talk Gizmo, echoing some of the bullet points HD DVD fans like to bring up, but the truth is that if you really thought that Blu-ray was the next UMD, you wouldn't have put down $500, $600, whatever... to watch it.

Donnie Eldridge

07-26-07, 12:36 AM

briankmonkey

07-26-07, 12:39 AM

UMD's were(maybe still are) more expensive than DVD while being lower in quality. Blu-ray's are vastly superior to DVD's while being more expensive.

I don't recall there being stand alones UMD players either, though it sounds like with the newer PSP's will hook up to a tv.

fronn

07-26-07, 12:41 AM

Funny, I remember that about UMD. Once games came out...movie sales die. We all know how well THAT format went over.

The fact that you are insistent upon making a comparison to UMD as often as you can makes it pretty hard for anyone with half a brain to take you seriously.

Chris Rein

07-26-07, 12:56 AM

I notice you own a PS3... perhaps for watching Blu-ray movies?

How many UMD's did/do you own?

You're talking the talk Gizmo, echoing some of the bullet points HD DVD fans like to bring up, but the truth is that if you really thought that Blu-ray was the next UMD, you wouldn't have put down $500, $600, whatever... to watch it.

Gee, maybe he bought it based on the "promises" that it was a GAMING machine? And the movies were a bonus?

I take pretty much anyone here that has a PS3 isn't in it for the gaming one bit (minus those who post in the PS3 GAMING forum), especially after reading this lovely post. And now that the games are blah (exclusives no longer exclusives, stuff already on 360 which is easier to code for...again, games coming out months later after it's been used and abused on other platforms, etc.), it was Sony's trick to sell more "BD Players". Don't get me wrong, compared to all the standalone players out there, I'd scoop up another PS3 in a heartbeat (sold my PS3 as it HAD NO GAMES!!! and the inital batches of BD movies SUCKED!) if BD wins this war as it seems to be more flexible to a format that isn't perfected yet...

xbdestroya

07-26-07, 12:59 AM

Gee, maybe he bought it based on the "promises" that it was a GAMING machine? And the movies were a bonus?

Is that what you think? That's not what I'm getting from his sig personally...

I take pretty much anyone here that has a PS3 isn't in it for the gaming one bit (minus those who post in the PS3 GAMING forum), especially after reading this lovely post. And now that the games are blah, it was Sony's trick to sell more "BD Players". Don't get me wrong, compared to all the standalone players out there, I'd scoop up another one of these in a heartbeat (sold my PS3 as it HAD NO GAMES!!!) if BD wins this war as it seems to be more flexible to a format that isn't perfected yet...

So bottom line is then that you think Blu-ray = UMD?

Chris Rein

07-26-07, 01:00 AM

Is that what you think?

So bottom line is then that you think Blu-ray = UMD?

Show me where I "think" that. Did you even read what I posted?

xbdestroya

07-26-07, 01:03 AM

Show me where I "think" that. Did you even read what I posted?

I did in fact (read what you said). And indeed, I agree you actually didn't speak to the issue. Since I was discussing BD not being UMD, and Gizmo's misplaced comparisons, I found it odd that you were coming in to defend his viewpoint with some sort of rambling about games.

What was your point again? Since by your own admission it had nothing to do with the UMD/BD discussion...

PS - My PS3 was bought for games as well as movies, and I certainly don't post in the blackhole that is the AVS gaming forums... so I think you need to reevaluate your identifiers.

Chris Rein

07-26-07, 01:06 AM

I did in fact (read what you said). And indeed, I agree you actually didn't speak to the issue. Since I was discussing BD not being UMD, and Gizmo's misplaced comparisons, I found it odd that you were coming in to defend his viewpoint with some sort of rambling about games.

What was your point again? Since by your own admission it had nothing to do with the UMD/BD discussion...

PS - My PS3 was bought for games as well, and I certainly don't post in the blackhole that is the AVS gaming forums... so I think you need to reevaluate your identifiers.

Ok, will do. ;)

fronn

07-26-07, 01:11 AM

theforce8686

07-26-07, 01:15 AM

Lets put this into perspective.

1. Target has 4% of the CE market share, just ahead of RadioShack.
2. Target sells low-end stuff, a $400 DVD player isn't going to sell like hotcakes, nor will a $500 one. You'll see it in the circular with $50 dvd players. Great comparison.
3. The shelf-space dedicated to this at the smaller discounter is going to be minimal. It'll be next to the $9.99 and $6.99 dvds...wow.

So your saying this isnt a big deal? 4% of the CE market share or not, when this story breaks that Target is only carrying Blu Ray players and not HD players is that going to help or hurt Blu Ray? This is just one of many things that are happening in Blu Rays favor.

pellucidity

07-26-07, 01:51 AM

The fact that you are insistent upon making a comparison to UMD as often as you can makes it pretty hard for anyone with half a brain to take you seriously.

Especially given that there have been more UMD movies sold than HD-DVDs worldwide!

Chris Rein

07-26-07, 01:56 AM

A bit offtopic, Chris Rein, but... PS3's late summer/fall line-up (starting in August) seems pretty full of good games to me. 360 didn't have games immediately either (it, oddly, took about a year for the games to start coming), so I'm not sure why you expect it of the PS3... at least PS3 has a couple other good uses outside of gaming.

By July of '06 what must have games did the 360 have, for example? I think you'll find the list pretty short, as is PS3's list right now. 360 seems to have done fine for itself as far as games go, yet it had a slow start as well. The constant parroting is a little old though -- it certainly doesn't need caps.

Caps, italics, bold, underline, etc. Everyone does it. Sure, I probably went overboard a bit, but the PS3 is a gaming machine that plays Hi-Def Blu Ray movies. Period. It's the successor to the highly-succsessful PS2, which, ah-ha! is a gaming machine. Same goes for the 360. At the end of the day it's also a gaming machine, and if you want Hi-Def movies, you need the HD-DVD player add-on. Good for some folks, bad for others, but there's a choice if you want it. Like it or not, Sony needs this win more than anything. If, and without going overboard with the caps, italics, etc. to offend anyone, (that's a strong if by the way), BD fails, Sony is completely done with gaming. Period. Anyone that is remotely interested in gaming would laugh them off the face of the earth if their $400 to $600 machine (pick a GB flavor and a price drop wherever you see fit) no longer has media, games, whatever to play in it this early on in its life. I won't even comment on the $100 price drop less than a year out the gate...ooops, too late. ;) (can I use a Smiley? Or is that too much?)

As for gaming this fall, Lair, Heavenly Sword, SingStar and Ratchet and Clank are pretty much the exclusives...that will make it out on time (with a few others sprinkled in there). I'd throw Haze in there, which looks amazing, but it's also hitting the 360 (timed-exclusive) and will be on PC. I'd say the games start coming in December rather than August. The 360 is getting the same titles, some even earlier, that the PS3. And now that the tables have turned since the last generation, the PS3 is getting the shoddy ports now which is causing people to flock to the 360 for those titles, not to mention all the exlcusives they have (and I'm not even considering that game of which we do not speak!). Believe me, I'm a big gamer, and as I said with the format war, also goes for the games side...if the PS3 starts churning out quality games, which are exclusive, I'll pick one up again. Resistance was good, but that was about it, and still is from what I've been keeping up with on the PS3 side of things. As a gamer, the 360 is where it's at this holiday. The press conference at e3 pretty much cleared that up. All we got from Sony was CGI cutscenes of games that aren't even remotely close to being ready.

To get back on topic, the Target Blu Ray announcement is interesting news, and great news for Sony. It's going to help the sales of the PS3. Why? Because we ALL know that the PS3 is a Blu Ray player first, and a gaming machine second, so it's a no-brainer to buy the $500 PS3 that does more than the $500 BD player that just plays movies. :p

Back to that blackhole down at the lower end of the main page I go...

oink

07-26-07, 01:56 AM

xbdestroya

07-26-07, 01:58 AM

Chris, this is the HD Media section of the forum. Clearly your gaming-centric energies would be best expended (and appreciated) elsewhere. Posting several quasi-rants about video games with a sentence or two towards the actual topic doesn't make the posts constructive.

First it was the Blockbuster news that wasn't important...that didn't mean much.
Then it is the Wal-Mart selling of the Sony player that wasn't a big deal.
Then the Denon BD player wouldn't make a difference.
Then it is this Target announcement that will have no effect on the FW.

Not to mention the increasing number of small-but-relevant production houses that have gone Blu in recent days.

Chris Rein

07-26-07, 02:07 AM

First it was the Blockbuster news that wasn't important...that didn't mean much.
Then it is the Wal-Mart selling of the Sony player that wasn't a big deal.
Then the Denon BD player wouldn't make a difference.
Then it is this Target announcement that will have no effect on the FW.

No doubt that even news of Toshiba or Universal going neutral won't matter whatsoever to the choir.
Then.... :rolleyes: :D

Blockbuster, honestly, wasn't much of a big deal at all. If they completely shut out HD-DVD (including online rentals), that would be big news.

Wal-Mart, sure, that one is a big deal. Cheap players for the "Wal-Mart" shopper (I won't say that typical term that offends people, but I do enjoy those 6 pack beverages every now and then!) is a great thing. Cheap moves the needle. Wal-Mart is the perfect avenue for it. This news here is the biggest of them all that you listed.

Denon, yup, go ahead and keep that player. There are other options out there that are just as good, if not better for half of what they're asking. PS3 anyone? ;) What's next? Parasound? Theta? Lexicon are in? S, M, ALL numbers.

Target, the second best of the bunch you listed (a distant second though) as anyone remotely wanting to walk into Target, searching for that Sony BD player they couldn't find anywhere else, itching to spend $500 will see that player, see the PS3, and buy a PS3 as it has more value...espeically to the Target crowd.

Sure, all this news adds up, and is good to basically put HD-DVD in its grave, but your digging with a ice cream store sampler spoon instead of a BackHoe. It's going to take bigger news to put the war to rest. That's all.

Chris Rein

07-26-07, 02:10 AM

Chris, this is the HD Media section of the forum. Clearly your gaming-centric energies would be best expended (and appreciated) elsewhere. Posting several quasi-rants about video games with a sentence or two towards the actual topic doesn't make the posts constructive.

Not to mention the increasing number of small-but-relevant production houses that have gone Blu in recent days.

Hey, Fronn brought it back up and it would be rude not to follow up with an answer. ;) But I don't see you asking him/her to leave. I'll post where I want, and when I want, but thanks anyway, Dad. Just put me on ignore if I'm bothering you that much, but that would be sad as I'm actually starting to like you.

xbdestroya

07-26-07, 02:17 AM

Hey, Fronn brought it back up and it would be rude not to follow up with an answer. ;) But I don't see you asking him/her to leave. I'll post where I want, and when I want, but thanks anyway, Dad. Just put me on ignore if I'm bothering you that much, but that would be sad as I'm actually starting to like you.

@Fronn: Don't bring up the gaming

Now seriously - let's exclude discussion of what games are or are not coming out; stay on 'Target.'

AaronSCH

07-26-07, 02:38 AM

5thDanMaster

07-26-07, 02:43 AM

AaronSCH

07-26-07, 02:46 AM

...and nothing fact based, but of all those PS3's sold (did I actually say "all of those"?) how many are actually using them as BD players? Sure, right now, a lot as they need some return on investment here. But when the games come? Hmmm.

Yes Virginia, the PS3 is a Blu-ray player whether the HD DVD camp wants to acknowledge that fact or not. I own nearly 200 Blu-ray disc MOVIES and one video game. I don't think I am alone. I love my Playstation 3 and its versatility.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1071897/ps3.jpg

Sony sold 5.5 million PS3 units last year, mainly in Japan and the US, and expects to double shipments to 11 million in the current year. Even if a fraction of those units are utilized for Blu-ray playback, this war is o-v-e-r.

PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) SALES PICK UP STEAM, INCREASE BY MORE THAN 135% On the heels of a strong showing at E3, today Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced retail growth for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) in July. Based on preliminary internal data, PS3 sales have increased by more than 135% at the company's top five retailers since the new $499 price was announced two weeks ago on July 9th. During this same two-week period, total PlayStation hardware sales have increased by 161%, software by 15% and peripherals by60%. Also, according to NPD sales data released today for the month of June, PlayStation sales increased prior to E3, as well. Overall, the PlayStation brand continued to exhibit solid growth evidenced by a 21% increase in total retail dollars generated year-over-year in North America with total sales of $393 million. PS3 sales were up 21% over May's figures, with 98,469 units sold at retail.

There's probably alot of remotes included in that peripherals number! :)

5thDanMaster

07-26-07, 02:48 AM

Yes Virginia, the PS3 is a Blu-ray player whether the HD DVD camp wants to acknowledge that fact or not. I own nearly 200 Blu-ray disc MOVIES and one video game. I don't think I am alone. I love my Playstation 3 and its versatility.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1071897/ps3.jpg

Sony sold 5.5 million PS3 units last year, mainly in Japan and the US, and expects to double shipments to 11 million in the current year. Even if a fraction of those units are utilized for Blu-ray playback, this war is o-v-e-r.

There's probably alot of remotes included in that peripherals number! :)
They were shipped, not sold. Besides that's a far cry from the 10 million players that they boasted last year would be in homes by now.

Mel2

07-26-07, 02:53 AM

LOL Oink, give'em time for the shock to wear off. They are shell shocked. You can add the release of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" to that list. The first Spielberg film in high definition. What is amazing at this point is that it is only the tip of the iceberg. I predict that Blu-ray will achieve 80% of high definition software sales by year's end.

80% sounds accurate to me also. just wait, when the ratio is 80/20 the hd-dvd choir boys will say it's no big deal. like i wrote earlier, target shoppers can afford $400-$500 items. they get more upper class shoppers than k-mart or wal-mart. smart move by target and i'm sure other companies will roll out something similiar.

Winn

07-26-07, 03:00 AM

Endcaps are always bought and paid for. That is the nature of the business. The only time an endcap is not paid for is when the store puts a store brand item on it, an "employee recommendation" display, a "local interest" display or a mixed product display (products from different, competing manufacturers). Sometimes they are paid for in product (demo kiosks before release), sometimes they are paid for in kind (advertising in products, on the manufacturer's website or recommendation of store brand accessories) and sometimes (often, actually) they are paid for in cold, hard cash.

Chris Rein

07-26-07, 03:08 AM

80% sounds accurate to me also. just wait, when the ratio is 80/20 the hd-dvd choir boys will say it's no big deal. like i wrote earlier, target shoppers can afford $400-$500 items. they get more upper class shoppers than k-mart or wal-mart. smart move by target and i'm sure other companies will roll out something similiar.

But why would you buy a $500 Sony BD Player over a $500 PS3? Especially when most of those shoppers have a family (upper class or not)? The ROI on the PS3 is better. As I said earlier, this is a good move on Sony's part to sell more PS3's than anything else.

80/20 is a big deal by the way. This coming from an HD-DVD owner. Right now, we're more at 60/40, so there's no panic...yet. :)

Chau808

07-26-07, 04:14 AM

mods already said they will close if by tomorrow we dont hear an announcement. why would it not make any sense for retailers to do this? shelf spaces are just as valueable for retailers as they are for rental stores.This is definitely great news for Blu-ray as more retailers are dedicating their shelf space to Blu. And more studios are going Blu-ray only.

This makes me wonder why the mods haven't closed the Chinese HD DVD rumor mill thread over in the HD DVD player section? It's been running on nearly 3 months with no confirmation and no official announcements since the thread was started. But HD DVD fanbois want to shut down this thread after 12 hours? Good grief!

theone2

07-26-07, 04:28 AM

BTW target sells HD DVD addo-ns + disks :D

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Moves to $179, Adds Five Free HD DVDs (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070726/aqth069.html?.v=15)

thebland

07-26-07, 07:00 AM

BTW target sells HD DVD addo-ns + disks :D

Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Moves to $179, Adds Five Free HD DVDs (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070726/aqth069.html?.v=15)

I am sure the Sony folks mandated that Target continue to sell the XBOX HD DVD add on..... What a great tool to get folks to Blu Ray / PS3!

whippersnapper

07-26-07, 07:10 AM

Ooohh. They'll sell a player. Big deal.

Correction: They'll sell, and promote, a Blu-ray player. Definitely a very BIG DEAL. I can almost visualize the Target Christmas advertisements featuring the Blu-ray player and Blu-ray movies.

whippersnapper

07-26-07, 07:14 AM

I did think that was the only one that mattered.

The only one that mattered to whom???

metalsaber

07-26-07, 07:40 AM

^^

To BD owners considering that is the highest selling player on the market. Otherwise Standalone ownership belongs to HD DVD.

Wet1

07-26-07, 07:45 AM

This makes me wonder why the mods haven't closed the Chinese HD DVD rumor mill thread over in the HD DVD player section? It's been running on nearly 3 months with no confirmation and no official announcements since the thread was started. But HD DVD fanbois want to shut down this thread after 12 hours? Good grief!

I've wondered the same thing many times. The mods do a good job keeping this place in order, but there has always been a pro-HD-DVD bias with many of them that overshadows when they step in.

Either way it won't matter in the long run... only one format will be left standing when the dust settles. ;)

plazman

07-26-07, 07:49 AM

I am sure the Sony folks mandated that Target continue to sell the XBOX HD DVD add on..... What a great tool to get folks to Blu Ray / PS3!

Several CC have xbox add on playing KK on end units next to BD Players. Target may have a similar set up with the xbox add on...in most of these stores I would venture the add on sells more than any BD standalone - or ALL BD standalones combined. Target consumers tend to me even more price conscious than BB and CC consumers....this is going by their electronics selections that I see at stores near me - the TVs, DVD players etc. tend to be lower market stuff. We'll see.....

whippersnapper

07-26-07, 07:53 AM

^^

To BD owners considering that is the highest selling player on the market. Otherwise Standalone ownership belongs to HD DVD.

In Target? That's the subject of this thread isn't it?

Wet1

07-26-07, 07:58 AM

[HD-DVD PRG] This is no big deal, we see it as another HD-DVD victory. [/HD-DVD PRG]

plazman

07-26-07, 08:09 AM

In Target? That's the subject of this thread isn't it?

Yes. They sell the A-2 online and it IS their best selling HD standalone player.

The numbers in Q4 will determine what happens with the format war....clearly BD is looking for a 75%+ market share by then.

The Target announcement is probably also in response to a possible Walmart branded (most likely Toshiba this year with Chinese OEM next year) low cost HD DVD player at that time....Walmart will carry a sub $200 HD DVD player this holiday season. JMHO.

The Target announcement is being mostly promoted by Sony (note the lack of comments from Target execs) as an exclusive hardware deal when it is not....HD DVD hardware AND software WILL be sold in every Target store....online will also have a $299 HD DVD player v. a $499 BD Player.

JBlacklow

07-26-07, 08:34 AM

The Target announcement is being mostly promoted by Sony (note the lack of comments from Target execs) as an exclusive hardware deal when it is not....Sorry, but you're obviously pulling this out of your ass, since Target is saying that they initiated the promotion, not Sony.

Bailey151

07-26-07, 09:16 AM

...........to "this announcement is not important and who goes to Target for electronics"...........
Well, they are a bit player in the market.

Surprised they're still selling the media - doesn't make sense to me. Also wonder if they'll drop the price on the standalone - be really tough to sell it at it's current price against the PS3.

Sorry, but you're obviously pulling this out of your ass, since Target is saying that they initiated the promotion, not Sony.
Where's the "BS" flag when you need one, no retailer ever makes a move like this without SOME sort of financial incentive. Pricing, marketing help, etc. - just the way it works.

Besides, does it matter? All that matters is the end result. Personally I'm impressed with the amount of $$$ Sony has tossed at the entire game. It would seem they've gone "all in".

Johnsteph10

07-26-07, 09:28 AM

I am sure the Sony folks mandated that Target continue to sell the XBOX HD DVD add on..... What a great tool to get folks to Blu Ray / PS3!

You mean how you can use it to play HD DVD movies on the 360, your laptop, or your desktop? Or the fact that it is very fast at loading and playing? Or the fact that it is now $179 (almost 1/3 the cost of the cheapest BD player) + 5 free movies? :rolleyes:

Yeah, I'm sure those are selling point Sony uses.

JBlacklow

07-26-07, 09:49 AM

No, more like you can't get any advanced audio out of the system--let alone lossless--even with HDMI. Or that it's had a lot of problems with certain discs. Or that you have to spend anywhere from $300 to $480 to use it (more if you need a HD-capable PC).

flyingvee

07-26-07, 09:59 AM

But why would you buy a $500 Sony BD Player over a $500 PS3? Especially when most of those shoppers have a family (upper class or not)? The ROI on the PS3 is better. As I said earlier, this is a good move on Sony's part to sell more PS3's than anything else.

Chris - I agree; but - I think we're in the minority here. I've read a lot of posts, and talked to a number of folks who just plain don't want to view their BD on their HD system, if they are being played on a lowly "game machine." Perceptions are everything. Of course, these same folks are going to be even less likely to go thru all the installation and kludge involved in connecting the HD-add on to their laptop, and then to their projection tv system.

Cheap stand alones are going to sell either system. Having rental titles available when you walk into the local video rental store will help more. Being able to buy a disk (BD or HD) for under 15 bucks will be PRICELESS.

puzzle

07-26-07, 11:02 AM

Oh, Target. Why must you forsake my love?

Ilka

07-26-07, 11:24 AM

I have a pal who is a buyer for Target(not movies) says Paidgeek is full of poop, and that they intend to milk both formats. I then of course told him, would be nice if you had a decent selection :D

So much for your inside information ... +1 Paidgeek, -1 Urza.

Anyways, I'm glad this is happening ... anything that moves us closer to one format is a good thing.

Leterface

07-26-07, 01:33 PM

It's Official. The Op Was Right. Target Is Going Exclusive with BD Players. Ha Ha!!!!! Woohoo!!!!

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=349

Hmmm...the source of the blu.ray.com:s article is Blu-ray.com...hmmm.

the49ola

07-26-07, 01:45 PM

Several CC have xbox add on playing KK on end units next to BD Players. Target may have a similar set up with the xbox add on...in most of these stores I would venture the add on sells more than any BD standalone - or ALL BD standalones combined. Target consumers tend to me even more price conscious than BB and CC consumers....this is going by their electronics selections that I see at stores near me - the TVs, DVD players etc. tend to be lower market stuff. We'll see.....

Would be a nice thing for the add on but the only thing I've seen on the end caps of Target in my area (4 stores, and 1 in southport, IN south of Indy) is the Wii on a cap, and ps3 merchandise along with bd movies, underworld, taledega knights and potc, no king kong, no add-on.

gte747e

07-26-07, 01:54 PM

Please remember that when Sonyfangirl created this thread, she did so asking if anyone had heard anything about a Target announcement. She didn't bash HD DVD or even imply that this would end the war.

She simply asked if anyone had any info, and if so, post a link. So for those of you saying this should be closed because it stirs up rumor, that is silly.

Speculations about product releases, announcements, and the sharing of information are what this forum is all about. If that upsets you, stick to the product reviews section and avoid the forums.

Thanks Sonyfangirl for starting this thread. It has certainly been entertaining.

JBlacklow

07-26-07, 01:56 PM

Hmmm...the source of the blu.ray.com:s article is Blu-ray.com...hmmm.Absolutely brilliant attempt to prove the news is false. :rolleyes:

The press releases went out yesterday and today, and are included in this very thread.

dpags

07-26-07, 01:59 PM

Hmmm...the source of the blu.ray.com:s article is Blu-ray.com...hmmm.

OK, here's the AP article. Does that satisfy you? :rolleyes:

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20070725/APF/707250873

Hey maybe, they can get this thread closed too!

Leterface

07-26-07, 02:38 PM

OK, here's the AP article. Does that satisfy you? :rolleyes:

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20070725/APF/707250873

Ok, thanks. It's just that all these news articles about Target seems to be little different, or atleast some of them can easily give a "wrong" picture of the whole thing. IMO.

Quote from Home Media Magazine (http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/html/breaking_article.cfm?article_id=10947):

Target currently does not sell any high-definition disc players in its stores, although a Toshiba HD DVD player is for sale on the Target Web site for $299. Target does carry HD DVD software in its home video sections, alongside Blu-ray Disc titles.

Ken Graffeo, EVP of HD DVD for Universal Studios Home Entertainment, downplays the significance of the Target move.

“All they are announcing is they are merchandising an endcap with Blu-ray,” he said. “Which is normal merchandising at any retailer — and just like HD DVD has a dedicated endcap at Best Buy, and a dedicated endcap at Circuit City, and dedicated space and fixturing at Wal-mart.

“Target is not making any statement about the format; they are merely providing an endcap, with a cost associated with it. The question I ask is, knowing that HD DVD is the most affordable high-definition format, it will be very interesting to see how the Sony player will appeal to Target guests.”