As you may already know, Blockbuster Canada is bringing HD DVD (and Blu-ray) to all/most of its stores soon, after an initial test run at a few of its stores earlier this year.

Take it for what it's worth, but my local Blockbuster (which currently doesn't rent any hi-def discs at all) says that the discs should come at the beginning of November. They are not sure exactly how extensive the collection will be, but will include the last 3 months of new releases. (eg. Transformers and the like.) As for older titles, they have no idea which ones they'll get.

I just wish they would commit to at least releasing all day and date releases on either format. Its very hit and miss.

Yep same in this neck of the woods, Winnipeg. It's a big story if even the salesclerks know it's rolling out in November.

Rogers Video began renting both formats 2 weeks ago at quite a few locations.

As an employee of Blockbuster Canada, I can confirm that HDM rentals will be one dollar more than normal movies. At lease, this is what I have been told by my manager (Who knows I buy lots of HD DVDs and BDs).

Unfortunetly both BlkBuster and Rogers only cariies the newest movie title. Very few cat. titles. Went to look for Topgun and was told the by both that they don't stock movies that old on HDM yet.

Yep same in this neck of the woods, Winnipeg. It's a big story if even the salesclerks know it's rolling out in November.
Yeah, I went a couple of months ago, and they didn't even know what HD DVD was. :p Now they seem quite tuned into the tech, even though they don't have them at their particular stores yet.


As an employee of Blockbuster Canada, I can confirm that HDM rentals will be one dollar more than normal movies. At lease, this is what I have been told by my manager (Who knows I buy lots of HD DVDs and BDs).
Thanks. I forgot to ask that. Also, can I assume that there has been some sort of memo already circulated to everyone who works there? I am assuming this because it's gone from the situation where sales clerks knew nothing to now where many know quite a bit about it.

I didn't ask the exact date either, but was told the beginning of November.


Rogers Video began renting both formats 2 weeks ago at quite a few locations.
Yes, but as I understand it, this is going to be generalized rollout for Blockbuster, not just an expanded test run.

Yeah, I went a couple of months ago, and they didn't even know what HD DVD was. :p Now they seem quite tuned into the tech, even though they don't have them at their particular stores yet.


Interesting you say that... I'm in Winnipeg too and up until Blockbuster Canada's decision they didn't know a hi def disk from a dishwasher. NOW... it's a different ballgame. At minimum, this will put hi def disks in the lime light.

Blockbuster in my neighbourhood has had blu-ray and HD-DVD for over a year now. They did "roll outs" at select stores quite some time ago.

Don't remember the store number but it the 50st and 23rd ave location in Edmonton, Alberta. They started carrying both formats just a few months after they launched.

I've heard that there are only 2 or 3 locations in Edmonton so far that are doing the "test" on the new formats but they are renting well at the locations that have them (so the staff have told me when I go into to rent)

The 2nd store to my location as of last week didn't know when they would be carrying them so hopefully with thread it means soon so I can save a few blocks driving ;)
Thanks for the update it appears you know more then my local BB empoyees

Cheers
Calvin

A blockbuster near my workplace had them too. It's was pretty pathetic though. They'd sometimes not even bother getting in the latest big releases. Or for big dual format releases, they'd sometimes have it on one format but not the other. And for the non-"blockbuster" type releases, not a chance.

After a while I just stopped going because it was a total waste of time.

My BB in Mississauga has had hd rentals for at least 6 months. There selection was pretty good for someone just getting into the game. Most big titles were in stock. Rogers in my area is just starting to carry hd and their stock is very limited. But they did have Top Gun:D