It’s official, the format war is over. HD-DVD, despite having the better name, is done.
I don’t even use a stand-alone DVD player anymore, so there’s little hope of me buying a new player just to play more expensive discs. All Microsoft needs to do is make an inexpensive Blu-ray (silly) attachment for the Xbox 360, and I’ll consider jumping in. Come that day, I’ll check a box on Netflix’s website, and I’ll have a chance to see what the big deal is.
Peter February 24th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I’m obviously bummed that HD DVD didn’t win out, but what pisses me off more than the actual loss is at all the comments and write-ups on reputable sites that make it sound like HD DVD is a fatal anchor around our feet. It’s not like the players or discs have a self-destruct mechanism built in.
I too hope that Microsoft lives up to the rumors and puts out a BRD drive, but until then I’ll keep watching the discs I already own and snap up ones that were out of my price-to-interest range earlier. Hell, pretty much everything is already 50% off on Amazon and the death has been official for less than a week.
If you want to get a taste of the HD at rock bottom prices, just grab the 360 HD DVD used and then gobble up the clearance sale of discs for it.
John February 25th, 2008 at 10:48 am
What, you mean it didn’t self-destruct? I could have sworn…
I hear $50 new is going to be the new price point. Gotta love a fire sale.
todd February 25th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Players are on sale at Costco for about $49-$69.
Peter February 26th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Well the price is officially $50 and, if purchased before 2/28, is eligible for the 5 free HD DVDs. And then take look at some of the sales Deep Discount is having…
Shaun of the Dead, 12 Monkeys, Eternal Sunshine, The Thing, Army of Darkness, 40 Year old Virgin, Tremors, Dawn of the Dead (2k4), Out of Sight, Fear and Loathing; all $12.20 each.
Children of Men for $18, Serenity for $16. And on and On
Great prices.
John February 26th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Those five free discs aren’t really worth the effort of filling out the rebate form. The Thing is the only disc worth a second glance. With my luck, the “while supplies last” clause would kick in, and I’d end up getting that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remake instead.
I almost pulled the trigger this morning, as a result of a point made in this post. Having a game in the 360 and a movie in the HD-DVD means less disc swapping. Since almost all of our viewing (besides Netflix Watch Instantly) is done through the 360, that’s the biggest selling point.
If Netflix was more willing to stay onboard, I would be too. For now, I’ll pass.
Peter February 26th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Touche.