Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray as the Customer's Digital Format Choice

[Dale]

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is taking a step forward in addressing consumer confusion about high-definition formats. 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.

"Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We've listened to our customers, and we are responding. Best Buy will recommend...

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

[possumpete]

Hi there, why are you pushing Blu ray over HD DVD, I work in a store selling both formats, the HD DVD players play every disc we put in them, but on the other hand The blue ray players are having more and more problems playing new generation discs. The sales figures are being scewed by the inclusion of the PS3. this is not legitimate.
I suspect you are getting a buying advantage from Sony, to promote the Blue ray machines. if you looked at both formats from a purely technical point of view I think you would have to agree the Toshiba HD DVD format is the superior format.

[Shane]

Hi there, why are you pushing Blu ray over HD DVD...

Please note that this is just a press release that we are pushing out, do not read into it a preference for one or the other format.

However, if you are interested in our opinions, they can be found here:
Is It My Choice, or Is It Yours? (Dale Cripps)
and here:
HD DVD or Blu-ray: My Choice is...? (Richard Fisher)
and here:
Which is More Consumer Friendly: HD DVD or Blu-ray? (Shane Sturgeon)

Enjoy,

- Shane

[fpnovak]

I say Boo! Hiss!
I don't think retilers should be making deals with manufacturers. Can you spell: Anti-Trust Lawsuit?
I have the current top of the line Samsung Blu-ray and Toshiba HD-DVD.
The picturers are equally good.
Toshiba's first HD-DVD's were much better than the first Blu-rays on the market.
I think my Toshiba may have less of a delay from the time you push the remote button to the time the operation occurs on the DVD player. Both are connected by HDMI plugs to the new Yamaha receiver.
I don't think we are at the point-yet to declare a winner.
fpnovak

[Dale]

I suspect you are getting a buying advantage from Sony, to promote the Blue ray machines. if you looked at both formats from a purely technical point of view I think you would have to agree the Toshiba HD DVD format is the superior format.

I am utterly outraged by your suggestion that this magazine has taken a position in exchange for a vendor favor--a payoff. I don't usually respond to misguided statements like this so that we can continue to serve our audience without the dust. But I can not forever sit still while having the integrity of our publication, or any of it's supporting members, so loosely challenged.

[kweimer]

Well, Best Buy, my choice is HD DVD. I don't want to have to deal with the issues involved in 'trying' to play standard DVD's on a Blue ray player.

[videograbber]

Dale commented:
> I am utterly outraged... <

You shouldn't be. You've misinterpreted the poster's reference to "you". The news piece was about a decision that _Best Buy_ had made, not that HDTV Magazine had made.

When he said, "I suspect you are getting a buying advantage from Sony, to promote the Blue ray machines." it's obvious the reference is to Best Buy. What does HDTV Magazine buy from Sony that they could get "an advantage" on? Nothing. But Best Buy could easily be getting discounts from Sony that would advantage their promotion over the Toshiba format.

I will agree though that the OP could have been clearer in his wording, and no one likes to be accused of things they're not guilty of. But holster that pistol, Marshall.

- Tim

[akirby]

You don't say "Hi there, why are you pushing Blu ray over HD DVD" if you're talking about Best Buy.

[Dale]

Dale commented:
> I am utterly outraged... <

I see your point...but for the record stand my gound. For the record, this magazine does NOT accept anything of any kind in exhange for a political or business favor. Period. In those instances where we do endorse or take a stand it is at the volition of our expert authors or the magazine itself and springs from an honest evaluation made in the pursuit of serving the greater good.


"I will agree though that the OP could have been clearer in his wording, and no one likes to be accused of things they're not guilty of. But holster that pistol, Marshall. "

- Tim

I will keep it showing to remind those inclined to irresponsible posts that the work of preserving our reputation is always of an appropriate use of our time. bang bang

[possumpete]

Hi there, me again, thanks Tim for pointing out the bleeding obvious.
Sorry I am new at this sort of thing The comment was obviously aimed at Best buy, not you guys ok, sorry if I ruffled your feathers.
How about a reply from Best buy. Nobody has taken up the point about the suitability or otherwise of the blu-ray format to play a wide variety of discs, surely this was the main point on discussion.