There's a post up at Home Cinema Choice Magazine stating internal reports that Curry's was getting ready to drop HD DVD players (which has since been updated with news that Toshiba/HD DVD PRG is "lobbying" the decision):

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/shownews.php?id=9468

However, the stores from Curry's parent company--DSG International--have quietly removed HD DVD players from their websites. This includes not just Curry's, but Dixon's and PC World in the UK; PC City in France, Spain, and Italy; Electro World in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary; and UniEuro in Italy.

After the Woolworth's news, this isn't particularly shocking, but it is interesting not only because of the parent company's actions, but also that of Toshiba.

Who?

Big UK retailers.

Who?

My thoughts exactly :)

Who?

Granted they are not as big a deal to us Americans as Netflix or Best Buy, but they are good sized retailers in the UK. Regardless, whether the companies are American or not there's been a lot of movement away from HD DVD support lately.

Many of us say HD DVD lost which is fine. However the firesale for BDs would exponentially drop due to lack of competition. As a purple owner I have been spoiled by too many BOGOs on Blu-rays which has been missing for a while. Japan recently commenced Blu-ray rentals for select titles from FOX / BVHE / SONY. To me rentals don't matter much for a format that is still in the early stages of proliferation.

Who?

It's in some other country called 'the UK'. Don't worry, you wouldn't know about it.

Many of us say HD DVD lost which is fine. However the firesale for BDs would exponentially drop due to lack of competition. As a purple owner I have been spoiled by too many BOGOs on Blu-rays which has been missing for a while. Japan recently commenced Blu-ray rentals for select titles from FOX / BVHE / SONY. To me rentals don't matter much for a format that is still in the early stages of proliferation.

We are in complete agreement here. But I still think that the percentage of buys in both format is still too miniscule to matter. The one the hits the mainstream first imo, regardless of studio support would eventually take the crown. But another problem is that this might turn out to be a Pyrric victory for whomever were to win anyway. I mean, what would they be winning?

I have and love both, so there is no war in my house.

To me if Blu-ray wins it's business won and NOT made won by consumers. Domino effect still has some meaning.

Many of us say HD DVD lost which is fine. However the firesale for BDs would exponentially drop due to lack of competition.

A lot of people seem to think the sales were a result of BD/HD competition. However most people aren't in a position to buy both, since they're single format owners.

I believe strongly that prices a year from now will, on average, be lower than they are now, and BOGOs and 50% off sales will continue.

A lot of people seem to think the sales were a result of BD/HD competition. However most people aren't in a position to buy both, since they're single format owners.

I believe strongly that prices a year from now will, on average, be lower than they are now, and BOGOs and 50% off sales will continue.

Not with HD DVD gone, and no one to challenge Blu-ray. The prices would drop very gradually.

To me if Blu-ray wins it's business won and NOT made won by consumers. Domino effect still has some meaning.

You're not alone in that statement. Most people... even the BD goers understand that this war was fought in the board room and not by its various customers. But alas... the end result is the same.

For better.... or for worse... we're all going to get stuck with the blu pill.

You're not alone in that statement. Most people... even the BD goers understand that this war was fought in the board room and not by its various customers. But alas... the end result is the same.

For better.... or for worse... we're all going to get stuck with the blu pill.

I am expecting some kind of counter from the HD DVD boys. Remember how they shocked everyone by announcing that Paramount and Dreamworks were going exclusively to them? It happened just after people were saying that the war was over.

I am expecting some kind of counter from the HD DVD boys. Remember how they shocked everyone by announcing that Paramount and Dreamworks were going exclusively to them? It happened just after people were saying that the war was over.

Unless MS takes that Yahoo money and throws it into buying the remaining BD studios, there's nothing to be done at this point.

Dixons & Currys are big business in the Uk and Ireland.

I had a good look on their website's before xmas and they stocked both HD DVD and Blu Ray. Now they only have blu.

There's so much negative press surrounding HD DVD at the moment, worldwide, I can't imagine the HD DVD PG has anything up their sleeve to counter this.

Who?Slim, you need to get out more; it's a big world out there. Looked at from outer space it's clear that we live on a Blu planet.:)

PS - Google search is your friend when you see something with which you are not familiar.

HD media will go mainstream when you go into your local electronics giant and over half the dvd players on the shelf are HD. (which seems to be blu at this point)

When average Joe America goes to buy a new dvd player and has an honest choice between 4 or 5 regular players and 4 or 5 blu players, things will start to move.

Who?


No one important. Just a little business on the other side of the pond. Keep those rosy glasses clear!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSG_International_(retailer)

Who?Oh, only most of the largest retailers in the UK. Don't worry your pretty little head, HD DVD is only down by 4:1 over there.

Hi from Canada...
It appears the Curry's story is premature, as you'll see from this updated article...

===============
(Home Cinema Choice dot com)
Currys drops HD DVD players **update**

High Street retail giant Currys has apparently decided to stop selling HD DVD players.
The decision has been posted on Curry's Intranet site and is '100% certain'. Current HD DVD player stock will be discontinued to clear them through.

*U P D A T E* Apparently since this story appeared a 'certain manufacturer of HD DVD' (we suspect Toshiba, for obvious reasons - ie, hardly anyone else makes HD DVD players!) has been lobbying Currys to carry on with the format in stores for the time being. Currys is still considering the HD DVD proposal it's received, and will have a decision soon. ============

...although given the latest news on this side of the Atlantic (NetFlix dumping HD-DVD and Best Buy recommending Blu-Ray) I suspect it won't be long before the format war is officially over.
The reason it's taking so long is that if Universal, Paramount and Dreamworks pull the plug, they have to eat their losses...but if Toshiba kills the format, it would have to compensate the studios.
In the meantime, despite all the various spins you'll read, Blu-Ray movies continue to outsell HD-DVD movies by growing ratios, especially in Europe.
The one (only?) good thing about the format war is that so many people are holding off buying either format, many retailers are dramatically dropping prices for both to boost sales.
If you shop around, even the newest releases can be had for about $15.
I hope that doesn't end once Blu-Ray is the only format...