Netflix Drops HD DVD Support in Favor of Blu-Ray
Reuters is reporting that Netflix is dropping HD DVD support in favor of Blu-ray.
Four out of six major Hollywood studios have recently decided to publish high-definition DVDs only using Blu-ray.Netflix said that with such a clear signal from the industry, it will only buy Blu-ray discs going forward and will phase out stock of HD DVD by about the end of the year.
Blockbuster stocks both HD DVD & and Blu-ray for Total Access subscribers, but only has Blu-ray in stores (Blockbuster Bets on Blu-ray).
Thanks to Steve, Complication, Wilson, Jack, John & everyone else that sent this in.
another reason to switch to blockbuster. at least i can get hd-dvd online
Posted by: neilk2350 | February 11, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I think that we are starting to see the end of the HD-BR battle. It will take a while for HD to fade into memory, but I suspect you'll soon see the end of new HD equipment (other than maybe incorporated into all-in-one players that handle both).
Remembering back to the VHS-Betamax battles, Sony lost that one. I was surprised at the lack of quality in the commercially available tapes vs VHS. The same title on Beta was not nearly as clean as the VHS title... something that didn't appear to be talked about.
The picture quality of personally recorded stuff was higher, but not for purchased.
I'm not sure what has driven HD out of the picture, especially for NF & BB, but it had to be something.
As to whether BR will now go the way of the original Laser Disc is the next thing to watch. The higher cost of BR everything will slow a lot of people from making the move.
Kinda reminds me of Vista... It might outlast ME, but who knows?
Posted by: Old Timer Too | February 11, 2008 at 12:59 PM
What a complete disappointment. I've always loved Netflix because of the wide array of movie options I have. Now my newly purchased HD DVD player is going to wind up being a regular old DVD drive. Thanks Netflix.
Posted by: Alex | February 11, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Looks like HD is getting killed...feel sorry for those who bought new HD players.
Posted by: prozac | February 11, 2008 at 01:28 PM
IF ANYTHING I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE WHO BUYS HD DVD PLAYERS AND BLU RAY PLAYER... THEY ARE WAAAY OVER PRICED AND SO ARE THE MOVIES ... MY ENJOY MENT DOESNT INCREASE IF I AM ABLE TO SEE EVERY GRAIN OF SAND IN A MOVIE ... THAT WHY IM ALL FOR DVD UPCONVERTING PLAYERS. THEY'RE GREAT AND DVD'S ARE STILL OUT SELLING BLU RAY AND HD DVD COMBINED ...
Posted by: NETFLIX MOVIE BURNER | February 11, 2008 at 01:53 PM
This leaves us with BR...Overpriced, not even complete specs. I cant believe NF would do this...This will definitely upset the HDDVD community.Even BB has HDDVDs online, dont know for how long.
Very Bad Move...I hope they reconsider
Posted by: mark | February 11, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Something I found interesting, although a bit off post, is that Death Proof and Grindhouse are now available for instant watching. I thought these were Weinstein company BBI exclusives?
Posted by: X | February 11, 2008 at 02:07 PM
I guess NETFLIX MOVIE BURNER, the regressive, doesn't wanna go to compusa and buy half priced BD-R's and HD-DVD-R's to steal more movies
Anyway, I've got a Xbox 360 and bought the HD-DVD drive, so hopefully I'll benefit when netflix liquidates their HD DVD stock. I also have a PS3.
Posted by: Tom | February 11, 2008 at 02:09 PM
@Alex Keen
Its not netflix's fault you know, it was a business decision. If you say you recently bought your HD-DVD player, then I have to ask you what you were thinking. HD-DVD has been on the fall for a while now.
If toshiba really wants to, they have to do what JVC did and release the license for HD-DVD and make it free but fat chance with Microsoft being a supporter.
Posted by: Fabian | February 11, 2008 at 02:50 PM
By removing HD DVD doesn’t offer better selection it is actually a downgrade in service, but towards the end of February I will be canceling my service. Back to BB for now.
Posted by: jimmyzshack | February 11, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Wow. This sucks. I emailed Mike last week asking if he heard any rumors that Netflix may be doing this. I bought a HD-DVD addon drive for my Xbox 360 from Amazon for $80 last week. It was a great deal, since it includes 6 movies. My main concern was whether Netflix would continue to support HD-DVD since I am a rental consumer and don't buy many DVDs. I guess I will be returning the HD-DVD drive or selling it on Netflix. :(
Posted by: moviemonkey | February 11, 2008 at 03:53 PM
My HD DVD XBOX add-on was a Christmas gift. While I understand that this was a business decision - I don't like Netflix infringing on my right to rent either format. I'd rather they keep in stock a small supply of discs to fill our niche group than eliminate the format altogether.
Personally, I feel that HD downloads will win out and DVD will remain the archivists format of choice. Just wait for XBOX, Amazon, and iTunes to catch up with back catalogs movies. Hell, just wait until Comcast really lets loose a solid Video on Demand service...
Posted by: | February 11, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Hey, "Netlix Movie Burner" ... STOP YELLING AT US!!!!!!!
Posted by: Iceman | February 11, 2008 at 04:54 PM
any way to send email to netflix anymore?
they definitely need some input as to how many people will be cancelling because of this.
almost all of my rentals are hddvd
netflix just became useless
Posted by: | February 11, 2008 at 05:21 PM
I think HD-DVD has failed is because it didn't have a catchy name. Let's face it, "HD-DVD" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Blu-Ray sounds cooler. Maybe they should have patented a name like "Hi-Vid" or "Hi-Disc" or something like that?
Posted by: junebug1701 | February 11, 2008 at 05:28 PM
UR DAMN STRAIGHT I DONT WANT TO SPEND MORE CASH ON HD DVD-R OR BD-R .... UPCONVERTING IS THE WAY TO GO ...
"Anyway, I've got a Xbox 360 and bought the HD-DVD drive, so hopefully I'll benefit when netflix liquidates their HD DVD stock. I also have a PS3"
THERE WILL BE NO LIQUIDATION .... THEY ARE FASING OUT THE PRODUCT MEANING THE DVD ARE OR HAVE ALL READY BEEN SOLD NO ONE ASKED WHAT U HAVE .... IDIOT
Posted by: NETFLIX MOVIE BURNER | February 11, 2008 at 05:53 PM
@NETFLIX MOVIE BURNER,
Use spell check and also turn the CAPS key off. Whats your problem?
@ another previous comment regarding
"I don't like Netflix infringing on my right to rent either format. "
Sorry to break it to you but you have every right to rent either format, its just up to you to find someone that will rent HD-DVD. While I hate that Netflix is doing this just as much as the next guy, Netflix is in the business to make money. I can understand why they are doing this.
Posted by: moviemonkey | February 11, 2008 at 06:58 PM
TO MOVIEMONKEY
WHO THE HELL DIED AND GAVE U THE O.K TO CRITICISE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ON HERE ... AFTER ALL IT IS A COMMENT SECTION .... MY PROBLEM IS PEOPLE LIKE U COMING ON HERE AND BEING IDIOTS. ALL I WANNA DO IS BURN MY MOVIES OFF OF NETFLIX AND NEVER PAY FOR A MOVIE AGAIN BUT NOOO DISNEY HAS TO USE SOME RIGHT PROTECTION ON THEY'RE DVD'S SO NOW I HAVE TO DOWNLOAD ANYDVD OFF OF LIMEWIRE SO I CAN BREAK THROUGH THE RIGHT PROTECTION WALL FROM DISNEY DVD'S ITS JUST NOT FAIR ...
ITS NOT MY FAULT THAT NETFLIX MAKE NO MONEY OFF OF ME ... I PAY MY 16.99 A MONTH FOR 3 MOVIES ... RECIEVE THEM TUESDAY DECRYPT THEM ON MY EXTERNAL DRIVE AT WORK ON THE SAME DAY AND SHIP THEM BACK ALL IN THE SAME TUESDAY @ 3PM... THEY PROBABLY LOSE MONEY IF ANYTHING ....
Posted by: NETFLIX MOVIE BURNER | February 11, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Looks like I'll be cancelling Netflix too. With the dropping of HD-DVD, not to mention they have started to ship me movies from across the country. Netflix is of no use to me.
Posted by: drinkmasta | February 11, 2008 at 08:20 PM
I'm sorry but all I am hearing is *waa waa waa*.
"I don't like Netflix infringing on my right to rent either format. "
You have a right to rent wherever you want, whatever you want. Netflix has a right to make a business decision, and just because you don't like it that doesn't mean that they are meddling with your "right" to choose. I sometimes wonder what the BIG freaking deal is whether you rent HD or regular DVD. After all, Netflix didn't ever charge you EXTRA for renting HD or Blu Ray, so stop acting like it's the end of the freaking world. I have said this before and I will say it again....IT'S ONLY MOVIES PEOPLE!!! I don't see you worrying this much and getting this angry and motivated to focus on more important things in life than DVD's. I'm still puzzled.
Posted by: Get real! | February 11, 2008 at 11:18 PM
@ Get real!
A-MEN !!!! why should anyone care its not like you guys that rent hd movies are being charged extra ... and do i always get a hard time about my burning movies .... its not like its affecting u or making u lose anything .... basterds !!!
Posted by: NETFLIX MOVIE BURNER | February 11, 2008 at 11:42 PM
@ Get real!
A-MEN !!!! why should anyone care its not like you guys that rent hd movies are being charged extra ... and do i always get a hard time about my burning movies .... its not like its affecting u or making u lose anything .... basterds !!!
Posted by: NETFLIX MOVIE BURNER | February 12, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Did no one buying the cheap amazon HD DVD players wonder why they were suddenly so cheap. HD DVD will be totally dead within the next year to two years tops.
Posted by: MovieFiend | February 12, 2008 at 12:35 AM
NETFLIX MOVIE BURNER, you're an idiot. (Just thought you might like to know.) If you want to copy movies, fine. But don't whine 'cause you have to use AnyDVD to do it. There are a lot of free programs that would let you copy movies, like DVDFabHD Decrypter. No need for you to have AnyDVD at all. Get a clue and do please turn off the caps locks. Use caps for emphasis, it's annoying to type in all caps.
http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm
Posted by: Max More | February 12, 2008 at 12:44 AM
When is Netflix going to start renting porn?
Posted by: pussy fucker | February 12, 2008 at 12:46 AM