The battle versus Blu-Ray and HD DVD rages on! Blockbuster has announced that they will be stocking Blu Ray exclusively with the exception of the test stores that currently offer HD DVD, they will continue to do so. We get the following news from Engadget:
In a huge blow to Toshiba, Universal, and the rest of the HD DVD devotees, rental giant Blockbuster has decided to stock only Blu-ray discs in the vast majority of its nationwide locations, although HD DVD titles will continue to be offered online and in the 250 (out of 1,450) stores that have been testing both formats since last year. Blockbuster VP Matthew Smith revealed to the AP that the decision to go with Blu-ray — which will reportedly be announced tomorrow — stemmed from an overwhelming customer preference for those titles in the test markets, accounting for over 70% of all HD discs rented.
Interestingly enough, it seems that content — and not price — was the deciding factor for consumers, with Blu-ray-only hits such as the Spiderman and Pirates of the Caribbean films apparently outmatching equivalent HD DVD exclusives. While it’s still a little too soon to declare Blu-ray the outright winner, this Blockbuster decision only contributes to the momentum that Sony’s darling has had of late — momentum that at this point, might be too difficult for the other guys to counter.
I am taking no part in this battle, I am Switzerland on this one. I am watching regular DVD’s and will not think of an upgrade until all of this bullshit dies down. I personally have no problem with DVD’s and I will probably continue to watch them, until they stop printing the discs. I have seen HD-DVD movies on a full setup first hand and I will say that the clarity was amazing. I simply do not want to choose right now, for fear of being stuck on the losing end of this battle with a player that I cannot get rentals for.
I do not think just because Blockbuster announces that it choosing Blu-Ray that the fight is over. The porn industry is rumored to be going HD-DVD, and in my opinion porn is a stronger player than Blockbuster in the format war. Blockbuster will also have HD-DVD available for online rental so declaring anyone a winner right now would be a mistake.
