Netflix dropping HD-DVD

[SunnyD]

Sorry if this is a repost, but search revealed nothing for me.

Text

Netflix to stop renting HD DVD movies
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Article Launched: 02/11/2008 11:27:10 AM EST

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Netflix Inc., the online movie rental company, said Monday it is switching exclusively to the Blu-ray format for high-definition DVDs, following four major movie studios in selecting the Sony technology over one pushed by Toshiba Corp.

Toshiba and Sony have been vying to set the standard for high-definition DVDs for several years. The stakes are high because the winner will also get a boost in sales of DVD players needed to read the new format.

The Walt Disney Co., Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures, News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have endorsed Blu-ray. Paramount and Universal Studios publish their high-definition DVDs in Toshiba's HD DVD format.

Netflix has stocked both formats since they became available in 2006, but said the decision of four of the six major studios to issue films only in Blu-ray format made it likely that the Sony format will prevail.

"From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers," the company said, adding that not many customers order high-def DVDs.

Many consumers have held off on buying a high-def DVD player until the dominant format is decided.

 

[Tobolo]

well, i guess that settles it. I really thought that the porn industry would make HD win. But then again, do you really want high def porn?

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Tobolo
well, i guess that settles it. I really thought that the porn industry would make HD win. But then again, do you really want high def porn?

Fuck yes I do.

 

[tfinch2]

RIP my Toshiba HD-A2. Looks like it'll be playing DVDs until it's time to get a PS3.

 

[ForumMaster]

Originally posted by: Tobolo
well, i guess that settles it. I really thought that the porn industry would make HD win. But then again, do you really want high def porn?

uhh, first, why not?

second, i read that p0rn will reach Blu-Ray too. some japanease studios have managed to secure a license from Sony and will begin pressing blu-ray media for the porn industry as well.

seems like the fight has been won? blu-ray triumphs over HD-DVD...

 

[SunnyD]

As soon as Microsoft releases a BluRay XBox360 drive, I will jump on the HD bandwagon. Until then, I'm happy with regular old 480 line DVD.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Tobolo
well, i guess that settles it. I really thought that the porn industry would make HD win. But then again, do you really want high def porn?

as long as the airbrush out the track marks, pimples and stretch marks, I'm fine with it.

 

[Uppsala9496]

As soon as my queue of HD movies is done from Netflix, I'll be dropping them.
There really haven't been too many good releases recently anyway.

 

[Queasy]

Glad I held off buying a HD DVD for my Dad this Christmas despite the great prices. Really hate it for HD DVD though. I liked that their players already had all the features and could connect to the internet for firmware updates from the get go. Blu-Ray is still catching up to this and a lawsuit is actually being filed over the Samsung players not working with newer discs and not being upgradeable. (silly lawsuit though)

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
As soon as Microsoft releases a BluRay XBox360 drive, I will jump on the HD bandwagon. Until then, I'm happy with regular old 480 line DVD.

yeah, that would be a good excuse for me to get both, i don't think i want a ps3 before an xbox360

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Tobolo
well, i guess that settles it. I really thought that the porn industry would make HD win. But then again, do you really want high def porn?

as long as the airbrush out the track marks, pimples and stretch marks, I'm fine with it.

Don't forget the knife wounds and bullet holes.

 

[Special K]

Now we just need the consumer base to hurry up and adopt Blu-Ray so player and movie prices will fall. A good BD player is still what, $350? Regular price BDs are ~$25, although I am aware of the B1G1 sales.

I went with HD-DVD last year because the players were so cheap, and amazon was offering 10 free movies with the player.

Now I have an HD-A3 that probably won't see much use as an HD player, and I am eagerly waiting for the price of BD gear to fall.

C'mon people, spend those tax rebates on BD hardware.

The last report I read said that HD-DVD and BD sales *combined* only accounted for 1% of all DVDs sold, so it looks like BD has a long ways to go before it becomes the new standard.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster

Originally posted by: Tobolo
well, i guess that settles it. I really thought that the porn industry would make HD win. But then again, do you really want high def porn?

uhh, first, why not?

second, i read that p0rn will reach Blu-Ray too. some japanease studios have managed to secure a license from Sony and will begin pressing blu-ray media for the porn industry as well.

seems like the fight has been won? blu-ray triumphs over HD-DVD...

seriously...porn is fantasy. I don't consider anal warts and shave burns part of fantasy.

 

[rsd]

So what do people think, get the LG HD DVD/Blu Ray combo drive for my HTPC or a PS3? Already have an Xbox 360 and not particularly interested in the PS3 for games.

 

[LS21]

noes
i got on netflix to rent HD. (i dont believe in owning any movies... in any format)

 

[Uppsala9496]

"From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers."

So, the best experience is me cancelling my subscription because you no longer carry the format I have an HD player for?

 

[paulxcook]

Anyone still perfectly fine with DVD? I think they look great on my HD tv. I'll get a high def (apparently Blu Ray) player when their prices are competitive with what DVD players are now.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster

Originally posted by: Tobolo
well, i guess that settles it. I really thought that the porn industry would make HD win. But then again, do you really want high def porn?

uhh, first, why not?

second, i read that p0rn will reach Blu-Ray too. some japanease studios have managed to secure a license from Sony and will begin pressing blu-ray media for the porn industry as well.

seems like the fight has been won? blu-ray triumphs over HD-DVD...

w00t, I can't wait for those High-Def Japanese porn with the High-Def mosaics blocking all the genitalia. \o/

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: rsd
So what do people think, get the LG HD DVD/Blu Ray combo drive for my HTPC or a PS3? Already have an Xbox 360 and not particularly interested in the PS3 for games.

I thought the PS3 couldn't do DTA-MA. Plus it looks like ass unless you're a bachelor living with three other guys and have it propped up on milk cartons in which case it's a freaking modern art centerpiece that classes up the joint.

Honestly, after buying my HD-DVD player, I got Dish Network with the new VIP722 HD-DVR and almost every movie I've bought on HD-DVD has been shown on HBO or Cinemax. I think what I may do is subscribe to one premium channel every 2-3 months and grab a half dozen movies and rotate through the premium channels throughout the year.

Still, if a Blu Ray player came along that was fully featured and more than paid for itself with the inclusion of free movies, I'd go for that just like I went for the HD-A2. We'll see if that happens before 2010 though.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
"From the Netflix perspective, focusing on one format will enable us to create the best experience for subscribers."

So, the best experience is me cancelling my subscription because you no longer carry the format I have an HD player for?

Best experience means investing in delivering ____ as quickly as possible.

Just you have _____ doesn't mean _____ will spend a lot of $$$ to give you more of ____ when most people have ____.

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Anyone still perfectly fine with DVD? I think they look great on my HD tv. I'll get a high def (apparently Blu Ray) player when their prices are competitive with what DVD players are now.

++
ive always thought 480 lines on dvd are good enough. its just i already have an hd player and i want to take advantage of it...

 

[DaveSimmons]

This mean Netflix can take whatever their HD disc budget is and double the number of blu-ray copies instead of splitting it between formats.

Shorter waits for those of us with blu-ray players, woohoo!

 

[Noirish]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
As soon as Microsoft releases a BluRay XBox360 drive, I will jump on the HD bandwagon. Until then, I'm happy with regular old 480 line DVD.

why is it relevant since their game will never run on either HD format?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Anyone still perfectly fine with DVD? I think they look great on my HD tv. I'll get a high def (apparently Blu Ray) player when their prices are competitive with what DVD players are now.

Not exactly "perfectly fine" with DVD, but I don't have a HiDef TV yet and DVDs are so cheap that I'll make due for awhile just fine.

 

[BigToque]

Has anyone else thought that blu-ray would win simply because it sounded cooler? Specs aside, so many types of electronics have moved to using things like blue led's. Why? They look cool. For the general public, I'm sure nobody would tell the difference between an HD-DVD and a Blu-Ray disc, so why not go for the one with blue led's and "blue" in the name?

I'd say that coupled with the fact that there is so much media attention on blu-ray securing studios and the "death of HD-DVD", I'd say that from here on out Blu-Ray winning might just become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I don't really care either way, I'm just waiting until prices come down. I don't even have a TV