Netflix Dumps HD-DVD!
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Today I'm glad to be cheaper than cheap. Had I not been so frugal, I would have bought myself an HD-DVD player this past weekend after seeing a commercial advertising one for less than $150. And then, I would have been excited about renting HD-DVD discs from Netflix, to which I've been a very happy subscriber for more than four years. But then I would have received an email (like the one seen here), stating that Netflix has just decided to exclusively support Blu-ray as its sole hi-def format. Thankfully, I am cheaper than cheap and have no plans to purchase one of those expensive Blu-ray players. In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I no longer plan to spend the $20 a month on Netflix.Actually, my cheapness combined with my laziness will probably keep me a Netflix customer, but I can't imagine others will be so loyal. Apparently Blockbuster's online rental service still offers both HD-DVD and Blu-ray, so perhaps a number of HD fans will be switching over. Of course, also considering how significant a player Netflix is, this could be a heavy hit on the coffin nail for HD-DVD. The decision made by Netflix comes soon after last month's moves by Paramount and Warner Bros. to also go Blu-ray exclusive. It may only be a matter of time before Blockbuster, which primarily rents Blu-ray at its stores, will dump HD-DVD itself.
According to the Netflix emails going out today, any "Saved" HD-DVD selections in your rental queue (meaning for releases not yet out) will be switched to regular DVD by the end of the month. However, it seems you will still be able to rent HD-DVD discs that Netflix already currently offers throughout the year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-11-2008 @ 7:14PM
Master X said...
I really dont rent movies but this sucks for people who do.
Im a HD DVD support and I think its a better product over Blu ray.
Sure Blu ray has more support but I can get alot of Blu ray only movies on HD DVD via imports.
I also feel sorry for Blu rays got got an early standalone player and cant update to profile 2.0 later this year.
I still get to enjoy Transformers, Bourne, Heroes, The Matrix so Im happy for now.
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2-11-2008 @ 7:16PM
Goldy said...
I just cancelled netflix..
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2-11-2008 @ 8:22PM
madgamer said...
bestbuy announced they were punting HD-DVD today as well.
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2-11-2008 @ 8:45PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Backing HD-DVD at this point is like betting on Laser Disc to make a comeback.
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2-11-2008 @ 9:19PM
MCW said...
"Backing HD-DVD at this point is like betting on Laser Disc to make a comeback."
Thankfully, someone here made a smart statement. People are morons for canceling Netflix because they can't get their newly useless HD-DVDs. Uh, you should have been prepared for this, as you watched studio after movie studio turn to Blu-ray ONLY. Why are you clutching on to something that is dying a slow and painful death? Best Buy has now decided to drop it, that's a huge chunk of sales.
Also, any HD-DVDs formerly on HD-DVD only will be coming to Blu-ray in the next two years, as people make the transition to the better format with more storage capacity and true FULL HD.
I am VERY HAPPY to be a Netflix subscriber right now. Do something about it.
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2-12-2008 @ 1:12AM
TGD said...
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND PEOPLES THINKING ON THIS SUBJECT. PRODUCT SHOUD BE OFFERED IN BOTH FORMATTES. NOT EVERY ONE HAS A HD-TV, X-BOX, OR INTERNET OR PLAN TO GET IT. NOR CAN THEY AFFORD IT.
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2-12-2008 @ 1:39AM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Eh?
Do you mean SD DVDs should be available forever as not every household can afford high def DVD formats? Well, the same argument can be made that VHS should still be around as not every household could afford the move to DVDs.
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2-12-2008 @ 3:14AM
bongo123 said...
"as people make the transition to the better format with more storage capacity and true FULL HD."
jeeze, there really are some morons out there that just can't think for themselves and believe everything you see in adverts... FULL HD! wtf, are you stupid or somit, HDDVD has exactly the same resolution as Blu you muppet.. heck i have 14gig FULL HD movies that are indistinguishable from they're disc counterparts...
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2-12-2008 @ 9:20AM
Alana said...
Being pissed at Netflix for switching to Blu-Ray exclusively is futile. It's done. To show Netflix how mad them you truly are, you're going to cut yourself off from a movie/tv source? What are we, four? If you can't have candy you're not going to eat food at all?
I can understand that those who bought HD-DVD players are upset, but as someone who had yet to commit to buying either format, I'm glad I waited. No need in sinking money into something when there was only going to be one winner.
I see the Netflix point of view as well. It costs them money to stock HD-DVD product. If they see the writing on the wall that Blu-Ray is going to end up being the final HD format, why keep stocking something that's only going to collect dust and cost them money?
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