15/02/2008, 05:41 PM
Quote:Is this it? The moment the high definition DVD format war came to an end, with Blu-ray winning the fight? Wal-Mart has now joined Best Buy in the major retailers deciding to go Blu-ray exclusive, so come June HD DVD could effectively be a dead format.
Wal-Mart has now announced its position on the battle for the high definition DVD format of choice, by deciding to go all out as an exclusive Blu-ray stockist, and discontinuing HD DVD hardware and software sales by June at the latest.
This comes almost immediately on the back of two other major retailers, Netflix and Best Buy, committing to become exclusive Blu-ray stockists after claiming the war is already over, and HD DVD being dead.
The news of Wal-Mart’s decision seems to have first been revealed on the Check Out blog by Susan Chronister, and then later confirmed in a press release.
Gary Severson, senior vice president, Home Entertainment, Wal-Mart, U.S. said:
“Wee’ve listened to our customers, who are showing a clear preference toward Blu-ray products and movies with their purchases,”
“With the customers best interest in all wee do, wee wanted to share our decision and timeline with them as soon as possible, knowing it will help simplify their purchase decision, increase selection, and increase adoption long term.”
“Wee anticipate enhancing our selection with continued great values in hi-definition Blu-ray products, so our customers can further enhance their entertainment experience at home.”
As Danny Mendez said back in August 2007, the day that companies such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target start siding with one format over the other, the deal is done, there’s no coming back from that, and that day has now arrived, and all HD DVD adopters are going to have to start saving up again if they want to keep watching new high def movies.
Wal-Mart is the biggest retailer in the US, and its decision really does signify the end of the war, if it wasn’t already in its final battle. All that remains to be seen now is how long Toshiba carry on the fight before finally finally calling it a day and surrendering to the might of Blu-ray.
so with alot of stores not going to sell HD DVD anymore its as good as dead... wallmart, target and best buy have all planned or have already stopped selling them.. lots of players are being disontinued like with samsung.... toshiba also is annoucing in the next few days that it will produce only blu-ray players.. so blu-ray is going to win this one.. i feel sorry for all you hd dvd owners out there...