Minneapolis (MN) – Best Buy isn’t quite ready to ditch HD DVD entirely, but the company said that it will begin to “prominently” showcase Blu-ray products and recommend the format to its customers. Earlier today, Netflix said that it will be phasing out its HD DVD content offering.

The HD DVD camp got a substantial second blow today as Best Buy is choosing to put its weight on Blu-ray in the HD format war.  “Beginning in early March, the leading consumer electronics retailer will prominently showcase Blu-ray hardware and software products in its Best Buy retail and online channels in the United States,” the company said.

Brian Dunn, Best Buy’s president and chief operating officer, said that Best Buy will “recommend” as the “preferred format” to its customers. Our decision to shine a spotlight on Blu-ray Disc players and other Blu-ray products is a strong signal to our customers that we believe Blu-ray is the right format choice for them,” he said.

Dunn indicated that Blu-ray is at a point where it has the best chance to become a widely-accepted single format. “Because we believe that Blu-ray is fast emerging as that single format, we have decided to focus on Blu-ray products.” HD DVD products will remain available throughout the retailer’s 1300 stores for now for “customers who desire to purchase these products.”

Earlier today, Netflix said that it will not acquire any new HD DVDs and stock Blu-ray discs exclusively.

At this time it looks like HD DVD will need a small miracle to win the HD format war.

Small?

Feb 11, 2008 18:52     

I could be wrong but I think even a small miracle won't cut it.
Justin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Ha

Feb 11, 2008 21:06     

Yeah, i feel really sorry for a friend of mine that just bought an HD DVD player being completely clueless... There's no point to it at this point... even if the movie base that you're interested in is more HD based at the moment... it wont last. Many companies are switching over to Blue ray exclusively. It'll just take time for them to back offer Blue ray formats for previous HD format movies...
wspepsilon report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

No Miracles In Store (Just Blow Out Pricing)...

Feb 11, 2008 22:42     

And just enough time for the HD-DVD consortium to recoup a portion of their NRE (non recurring engineering costs). And then - good riddance.
BeenThereDoneThat report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Mercy

Feb 11, 2008 22:57     

Looks like we're at the mercy of Sony's anti-consumer DRM and common whims, nothing like not owning what you pay for or even a copy of what others own(I.P.), is there?
Revrant report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

"Looks like we're at the mercy of Sony's anti-consu...

Feb 12, 2008 11:23     

"Looks like we're at the mercy of Sony's anti-consumer DRM and common whims, nothing like not owning what you pay for or even a copy of what others own(I.P.), is there? " there is copy protection on HD DVD disc also. you are not suppose to copy them.
yo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Agreed - DRM is anti-consumer

Feb 12, 2008 14:21     

However, HD-DVD was set to implement DRM as well. On the technical level, the fight was also between Sun and Microsoft, with Sun's Java powering Blu-Ray. Since Sun has been opening up Java, I'd call this at least a modest victory against the forces of darkness. Now we just have to wait for the inevitable cracking of the codes... Note also that it is not required for studios to implement DRM on their products. Lobbying them to not use DRM might work - we killed copy protection on most software back in the 1980s.

Gary report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Old news

Feb 12, 2008 18:54     

When i bought my HDTV last year in Feb 2007, I went to bestbuy probably 10 times to see what players they had for hi def movies. Of course I bought my tv $600 cheaper on amazon with free shipping rather than buying it on Bestbuy. Besttbuy has always advertised their BLU RAY products superior to HDDVD. Their sales reps have said Blu Ray is better picture quality. They also advertise to buy $100.00 monster HDMI cables for better picture which is rediculous. They just want you to buy overpriced products so they can profit more. They have been doing this the whole time to make a better profit and they will continue push sales to the more expensive products. It use to make me mad because I just wanted to tell them "By the way BLU RAY PLAYERS can't even compare COMPARED To the quality of HDDVD PLAYERS." But anyway I believe Bestbuy recommended Blu ray so much to consumers that it was one of the causes to drive blu ray to win the format war. But anyway if you want to save a buck dont use Bestbuy.

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