| Netflix Opts for Blu-Ray High-Def DVDs | ||
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By Dale Cripps Founder & Co-Publisher Posted on February 11, 2008 Category: HD DVD & Blu-ray |
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Monday February 11, 9:54 am ET
Netflix to Offer High-Definition DVDs Only in Sony's Blu-Ray Format
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 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.
Posted by Dale Cripps, February 11, 2008 07:15 AM
Reader Commentary Feb 11, 8:22am Netflix WAS about choice...... I am old enough to remember Betamax. Anyone want to buy an antique Sony Betamax player? jeb Feb 11, 8:32am 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. Feb 11, 8:37am 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 Feb 11, 10:21am 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. Feb 11, 11:24am 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 impor Feb 11, 1:00pm 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 Feb 11, 7:23pm 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 othe Feb 12, 12:01am 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 Feb 12, 4:37am 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 Feb 12, 8:25am Does this mean I can pick up some used HD DVDs from Netflix for under $10 ???????? More on HD DVD & Blu-ray
About Dale CrippsDale Cripps is a professional journalist who has focused two thirds of his career on the subject of high-definition television. Upon completing his education in business and service in the military he formed Cripps and Associates, South Pasadena, California, in 1964, which operated as a market-development company for aerospace services. In 1983 he turned to television and began what has become a 20 year campaign to pioneer HDTV. For fifteen of those years he published the well-regarded HDTV Newsletter (an international monthly written for television professionals). During much of this same time he also served as the HDTV-Technical Editor for "Widescreen Review Magazine." On November 16, 1998 he launched the Internet distributed HDTV Magazine, which remains the only consumer publication devoted exclusively to high-definition television. In April of 2002 he co-founded with Tedson Meyers of Coudert Bros, the High-definition Television Association of America, which is presently based in Washington DC. Cripps is the president of this organization. Mr. Cripps is a charter member of the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers and honored by that organization with the DTV Press Leadership Award of 2002. He makes his home in Oregon. |
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