Netflix Opts for Blu-Ray High-Def DVDs

[Dale]

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- 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 ...

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2008/02/netflix_opts_for_blu-ray_high-def_dvds.php]Read the Full Article[/url]

[jbowen01]

Netflix WAS about choice......

I am old enough to remember Betamax.

Anyone want to buy an antique Sony Betamax player?

jeb

[weyoun7]

I have canceled my NetFlix account this morning. No HD-DVD, no NetFlix. I realize that they couldn't care less but they have eliminated my need for NetFlix.

[ahaer]

I'm having a hard time deciding which I hate more - the decision itself or they way they are trying to sugar coat it...

Please explain how dropping HD-DVD is going to "enhance my user experience"... If NetFlix had 5000 physical stores to stock I would understand how they could save a lot of money but there is nothing forcing them to stock HD-DVD's in EVERY shipping center.

And why they PR announcement? Couldn't they just have stopped buying new HD-DVD's and kept quiet? No, clearly they are trying to help "finish off" HD-DVD by publicly announcing their support. But why would they do that? My guess is that they have some deal with Sony that won't show up until their next quarterly report.

I must say I am VERY disappointed in their decision - As a NetFlix customer and HD-DVD owner this is a MUCH bigger loss that when Warner went Blu-ray only...

Unfortunately I also think it will hurt HD-DVD much more too

[Richard]

This report is incomplete, thank god... otherwise my recent $500 investment would have been 100% worthless along with my parent's $1000 investment in a combo...

It didn't make any sense to take all those HD DVD's they have and throw them in the trash. I see no reason for them to not continue renting what they have until it dies off. The greater concern are the new movies to be released. It begs the question if the studios are going to be forced to complete their HD DVD contracts considering no one seems interested in rental or distribution.

http://www.macworld.com/article/132047/ ... tflix.html
Netflix subscribers can still rent the remaining HD DVD titles until the discs

[ahaer]

Even though Dale's note didn't have all the details the real fact here is significant - NetFlix is going on record as saying BluRay will win. NetFlix is considered enough of a maverick that their statements carry weight in the mass media and, more importantly, with people's perceived reality. You will hear "NetFlix picked BluRay" from now on...

At the end of the year the ONLY way you will be able rent HD discs is on Blu-ray. So either you buy all your own HD-DVD's or you buy a BluRay player...

I'm hoping that MS offers an Blu-ray option at a reasonable price...

[pmalter0]

The only way this makes financial sense for Netflix is if it too received a large payment from Sony. This is so unlawful... I am so aggravated...I just may come out of retirement...

Phil

[akirby]

Of course it couldn't POSSIBLY be that NetFlix thinks keeping both formats alive will eventually lead to studios publishing movies in both formats which would then mean that NetFlix has to stock both formats since most consumers would have one or the other but probably not both players. And that would most certainly be a financial impact for NetFlix. Not to mention it's just a lot simpler and they don't have to worry about consumers renting the wrong format for their player.

[Dave3putt]

I got an email today, that I knew would come, but I didn't want to see. As a HD-DVD user, another nail in the coffin from Netflix. At least I am 50/50 on formats, having had VHS before this. I still think HD-DVD is the best and will continue with it until the BR machines get better and the HD-DVD supply dries up. It will probably be for the best to have one HD format that everyone can rally around. Still............I can listen to Roy Orbison in Dolby TrueHD. So far, you BR guys can't.

[eliwhitney]

Hi Dave3putt -

Not even with the PS 3 units ? ( never have been able to understand why the BLU RAY units ever were purchased? ... And, STILL more revisions on the way !)
eli whitney