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Amazon Offering $50 Gift Certificate to HD DVD Customers
Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Amazon, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing (all tags)
In a move reminiscent of last month's Best Buy offer, Amazon has begun contacting customers who qualify for a $50 gift certificate for purchasing HD DVD players.
In a company email that has begun going out to qualifying customers, the company states that players purchased before February 23, 2008, the same date specified in the Best Buy offer, qualify for the gift certificate, which can be used for new purchases on the site.
The email states, "New technologies don't always work out as planned. We at Amazon.com value our customer relationships more than anything and would like to support customers who purchased these players by offering a credit good for $50." The announcement does list some restrictions for the certificate's use.
Unlike the Best Buy offer, the company does not mention trade-in options for HD DVD media, but does state that the "Amazon.com Marketplace is available to sell items you might not want anymore as you upgrade to new ones." Perhaps suggesting that customer's might want to use their certificates to bring down the price of a shiny new Blu-ray player.
The program will run through April 9, 2009, so customers have plenty of time to take advantage of the offer.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
Vanguard Ends HD DVD Support with 'Disco Pigs,' Makes Move to Blu
Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 01:00 PM ETTags: Industry Trends, Vanguard (all tags)
Indie Vanguard has confirmed that it will close out its HD DVD support with the June release of 'Disco Pigs,' and that it plans to begin releasing titles on Blu-ray later this year.
Although Vanguard says there will be no official statement to come, the company has released an updated high-def release schedule that confirms they will no longer issue any new titles on the format following the June 24 HD DVD debut of the Cillian Murphy-starrer 'Disco Pigs.'
Also nixed from the company's schedule were two previously-announced HD DVD releases, 'The Low Life' and 'Animal Room.'
When asked for comment on Vanguard's future high-def plans, a company rep told us that a move to Blu-ray is currently in the planning stages for later this year. Initial titles and street date information are yet to be determined, however, so we expect to have additional information in the coming months.
As always, we'll keep you posted on further details of Vanguard's transition to Blu-ray as they're announced.
In the meantime, we've removed 'Animal Room' and 'The Low Life' from our HD DVD Release Schedule.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Disco Pigs (HD DVD)
BCI Moves to Blu, Cancels Upcoming HD DVD Slate (UPDATED)
Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Industry Trends, BCI (all tags)
UPDATE 03/26/08: We've received word from BCI that the 'Son of Paleface/My Favorite Brunette' HD DVD will be available via select retailers as originally scheduled. The company has no plans to support the format with any further releases. We've updated our database accordingly.
BCI/Eclipse has announced it has become the latest indie to go Blu, and has cancelled all previously-scheduled HD DVD titles.
The indie distributor was the first major indie to announce HD DVD support in late 2006, with a line-up of diverse cult gems that included 'Galaxina,' 'Golgo 13' and 'The Way of the World.' After a delay of over a year, however, only 'Galaxina' finally showed up in stores earlier this year, joining such recent BCI HD DVD releases as 'Ultimate Force' and the Bob Hope-Bing Crosby double-feature 'Road to Rio/Road to Bali.'
BCI had originally announced its latest HD DVD title (another Bob Hope double-header, 'My Favorite Brunette'/'Son of Paleface') was due to hit stores this week, but it failed to materialize on retail shelves. When asked for comment, a BCI rep confirmed to us that the company has nixed the release, as well any future support for the format.
Fans can still look forward to future next-gen BCI titles, however, as they will continue to throw their weight behind Blu-ray (the company has so far released 'Ultimate Force' on the format, as well as the "double feature" titles, 'Night of the Werewolf/Vengeance of the Zombies' and 'Sister Street Fighter/Sister Street Fighter 2'). According to the rep, it is planning a more aggressive Blu-ray line-up for later this year, although exact titles and street dates have yet to be determined.
As always, we'll keep you posted of all of BCI's future announcements as soon as they are officially confirmed.
In the meantime, we've removed the listing for 'My Favorite Brunette/Son of Paleface' from our HD DVD Release Schedule.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Galaxina (HD DVD)
- The Road to Bali/The Road to Rio (HD DVD)
- Ultimate Force (HD DVD)
- Ultimate Force (Blu-ray)
- The Night of the Werewolf/Vengeance of the Zombies (Blu-ray)
- Sister Street Fighter/Sister Street Fighter 2: Hanging By a Thread (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- BCI Sets Fall Release for First HD DVD Titles; Blu-ray Also On the Way (Jul 03, 2006)
Best Buy Offers $50 Gift Cards To HD DVD Buyers
Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Best Buy, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing (all tags)
Hoping to help heal the battle scars of the High-Def format war, Best Buy has announced plans to offer $50 gift cards to all customers who purchased HD DVD players before February 23, 2008.
As announced via press release this morning, customers will receive the gift cards for every HD DVD player or HD DVD attachment purchased at Best Buy before the February 23, 2008 cut off date. All told, the company estimates it will distribute more than $10 million dollars in gift cards.
“The DVD format war has divided our customers in a way we haven’t seen since Betamax took on VHS,” said Brian J. Dunn, President and Chief Operating Officer for Best Buy. “Now that the format war is over, we hope these gift cards will reassure our customers that we will help them make a smooth transition into the right technology for their needs.”
Best Buy says it will proactively mail the cards to all customers whom they can determine purchased qualifying equipment. Best Buy Reward Zone members, Performance Service Plans (PSPs) participants, and online customers should expect to receive their gift cards in the mail by May 1. Other customers should have credit card proofs of purchase or Best Buy receipts ready and call (888) BEST BUY.
“The beauty of this offer is that it doesn’t require our customers to give up their HD DVD player,” said Best Buy’s chief marketing officer, Barry Judge. “We know that many people who purchased these players have HD DVD movies that they would like to continue to watch. We’re telling our customers they can keep their players to play these movies as well as their older DVDs and use the $50 to treat themselves to anything else in our stores.”
Customers who want to trade in all of their HD DVD equipment and movie libraries will also have that option. By visiting www.bestbuytradein.com beginning March 21, visitors can get instant estimates regarding the value of their collections, regardless of where they were purchased. If they agree to the estimates, they will then be able to send their items to the Trade-In Center for free by downloading prepaid shipping labels. These customers will also receive payment in the form of an additional gift card.
Further information can be obtained by visiting the Best Buy HD DVD Action Center.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Best Buy Stands Behind Customers By Awarding More Than $10 Million in Gift Cards to HD-DVD Purchasers [Press Release]
- Best Buy HD DVD Action Center [Best Buy]
Shhh! Circuit City Trading HD DVD Players for Blu-ray
Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 07:30 PM ETTags: Circuit City, High-Def Retailing, Industry Trends (all tags)
Circuit City is allowing customers to trade in their HD DVD players and apply the original sales price toward the purchase of new Blu-ray players.
As first reported by Gizmodo earlier today (and confirmed at a Washington-area Circuit City this afternoon by High-Def Digest), the unpublicized offer is giving in-the-know customers a second chance at making the jump to high-def.
The offer only applies to players sold in the last 90 days, but that should give those who received HD DVD players for the holidays enough time to trade in their gifts for the winning next generation format. You must return the player in the original box with all of its accessories in order to qualify. Considering the price differences between the two player formats, there will likely be additional costs in making the exchange.
Note that this offer only applies to players and not to HD DVD discs.
(Thanks to Solstice X for the tip!)
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Circuit City Trading In HD DVD for Blu-Ray Players, Says Employee [Gizmodo]
Universal Ends HD DVD Support with 'Atonement'
Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: Industry Trends, Universal (all tags)
Universal has confirmed that it will close the curtain on its HD DVD support with this month's release of 'Atonement.'
Although the studio has yet to issue a formal statement, when asked to comment on reports that it had pulled its planned Spring HD DVD release of 'Charlie Wilson's War,' a Universal rep confirmed to High-Def Digest that the studio will no longer issue new titles on the format following the March 18 HD DVD debut of 'Atonement.'
As we've previously reported, the studio waited only hours after Toshiba pulled the plug on HD DVD to announce its own intention to make the move to Blu-ray (at press time, Universal had yet to reveal plans for their first Blu-ray titles).
Today's confirmation from Universal leaves the studio with only one HD DVD title awaiting release prior to 'Atonement,' the March 11th debut of 'Fletch'
Universal's news follows Paramount/DreamWorks' announcement last week that they will end their HD DVD support with this week's releases of 'Into the Wild' and 'Things We Lost in the Fire.' This now leaves Warner as the last major studio still releasing HD DVD titles beyond this month (the studio has previously said that it will honor its pledge to continue dual-format releases through the end of May).
Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on further details of Universal's transition to Blu-ray as they're announced.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Atonement (HD DVD)
- Fletch (HD DVD)
- Into the Wild (HD DVD)
- Things We Lost in the Fire (HD DVD)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Universal Reveals Early 'Charlie Wilson's War' HD DVD Plans (Feb 05, 2008)
- Paramount Cancels Majority of HD DVD Slate (Feb 28, 2008)
- Universal Studios Goes Blu (Feb 19, 2008)
Paramount Cancels Majority of HD DVD Slate (UPDATED)
Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:02 PM ETTags: Industry Trends, Paramount, DreamWorks (all tags)
UPDATE: (2/28/08, 9:45pm ET) We've just received word from Paramount that DreamWorks Animation will follow its studio parent and end HD DVD support. DreamWorks Animation's sole remaining HD DVD release, 'Bee Movie' (originally scheduled for March 11) has been cancelled. We've updated our database accordingly.
Ending weeks of speculation, Paramount says 'Into the Wild' and 'Things We Lost in the Fire' will be its last two HD DVD releases.
Although the studio has yet to issue a formal statement, when asked to confirm retail reports that it had canceled the majority of its upcoming HD DVD slate, a Paramount rep told us that following the next week's HD DVD releases of 'Into the Wild' and 'Things We Lost in the Fire,' the studio will no longer issue any further titles on the format.
According to a just-published article in The Hollywood Reporter, the studio is expected to release its first new Blu-ray titles this summer.
Paramount (and its subsidiary DreamWorks) had nearly a half-dozen HD DVD titles scheduled for release through early Spring. Here is a complete list of the studio's previously-announced titles that have now been cancelled:
March 25: 'The Jack Ryan Collection,' 'The Kite Runner'
April 1: 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'
April 15: 'There Will Be Blood '
Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on further details of Paramount/DreamWorks transition to Blu-ray as they're announced.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Paramount stops HD DVD production [Hollywood Reporter]
- Paramount Done with HD DVD Next Week [Vieo Business]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Into the Wild (HD DVD)
- Things We Lost in the Fire (HD DVD)
- Bee Movie (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Paramount Goes Blu (Feb 21, 2008)
- DreamWorks Animation: Still HD DVD Exclusive (For Now) (Feb 27, 2008)
DreamWorks Animation: Still HD DVD Exclusive (For Now)
Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 03:00 PM ETTags: DreamWorks, Industry Trends (all tags)
Still contractually locked into HD DVD exclusivity, DreamWorks Animation says it's up to Toshiba to decide when the company can begin releasing discs on Blu-ray.
That's according to DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, who acknowledged in an interview with Reuters Tuesday that his company was "well-compensated" for its HD DVD exclusivity, and that it was awaiting word from Toshiba on how to proceed.
"It really is in their court at this point to really declare what the next step will be," explained Katzenberg. "We're poised either way to jump into the marketplace when the conditions are right to do so."
Though DreamWorks Animation is an independently owned company, Paramount Pictures (corporate parent of sister studio DreamWorks SKG) announced its own intention to return to Blu-ray last Thursday. At press time it wasn't clear how (or if) the HD DVD exclusivity terms for the two companies were different.
'Bee Movie' is the only upcoming DreamWorks Animation title currently on the HD DVD schedule. Katzenberg told Reuters he was waiting to hear back from Toshiba on how to proceed with that title.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- DreamWorks waiting for cue from Toshiba on Blu-ray [Reuters]
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Bee Movie (Blu-ray)
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Paramount Goes Blu (Feb 21, 2008)
Paramount Goes Blu
Thu Feb 21, 2008 at 03:36 AM ETTags: Industry Trends, Paramount, DreamWorks (all tags)
The last domino of the format war has fallen: Paramount has officially announced it will align with Blu-ray and begin releasing titles on the format.
"We are pleased that the industry is moving to a single high-definition format, as we believe it is in the best interest of the consumer," the studio said via a statement issued Wednesday to The Hollywood Reporter.
"As we look to (begin) releasing our titles on Blu-ray, we will monitor consumer adoption and determine our release plans accordingly."
The studio did not issue any further details regarding a timeframe for the transition, nor any specific title announcements.
Also absent in Paramount's statement was any mention of subsidiary DreamWorks, although it is widely expected that the company (including DreamWorks Animation) will follow its corporate parent and begin releasing titles on Blu-ray.
Paramount's statement follows two days of silence by the studio, after primary HD DVD-backer Toshiba's announcement early Tuesday that it would drop its support of the format. Only hours later, Universal Studios confirmed a move to Blu-ray, leaving Paramount as the sole HD DVD-exclusive studio yet to declare its future plans.
We'll have more on this breaking story as it comes to us.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- All Hollywood studios now lined up behind Blu-Ray [Reuters]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Toshiba Officially Drops HD DVD (Feb 19, 2008)
- Universal Studios Goes Blu (Feb 19, 2008)
Toshiba Schedules Press Conference, HD DVD Announcement Expected
Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 09:00 PM ETTags: Industry Trends, Toshiba (all tags)
Toshiba has scheduled a press conference for later today, at which it is widely expected to announce that it is officially ceasing support of the HD DVD format.
Japanese news site Nikkei.net broke the news that Toshiba has scheduled a press conference for 5pm Tokyo time Tuesday (that's 12 midnight PST), at which the company is expected to announce that it will immediately stop manufacturing all HD DVD hardware and that it will cease selling them at retail by the end of March.
The news comes on the heels of a rapid succession of high-profile setbacks for the format over the past last week. First, three major retailers -- Netflix, Best Buy and Wal-Mart -- each announced plans to endorse the rival Blu-ray format, followed by intense speculation that Toshiba was mulling over its exit strategy for the nearly two-year old next-gen format (a claim that the company later confirmed, though it stopped short of declaring whether any decision had been made).
Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on any news out of Toshiba's press conference tonight, as well as any other developments as they unfold.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Toshiba to Hold HD DVD Press Conference [Nikki.net]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Toshiba: Still Backing HD DVD -- For Now (Feb 18, 2008)
MORE HD DVD NEWS TAGGED "INDUSTRY TRENDS":
- Blu-ray Commands 93 Percent of Weekly Hardware Sales Post-Warner Announcement Jan 23, 2008
- BBC to Continue Dual-Format Support Jan 16, 2008
- Universal Re-Affirms HD DVD Support Jan 10, 2008
- HBO Confirms Switch to Blu-ray Exclusivity Jan 09, 2008
- New Line Details Transition to Blu-ray Jan 08, 2008
- Amazon Reports Strong Holiday Sales For HD DVD, Blu-ray Players Dec 27, 2007
- HD DVD Camp: Web-Enabled Features a Hit With Consumers Dec 05, 2007
- HD DVD Camp: Web-Enabled Features a Hit With Consumers Dec 05, 2007
- HD DVD Promo Group: HD DVD Player Sales Top 750,000 Nov 27, 2007
- Warner Shelves "Total HD" Hybrid Disc Plans Nov 14, 2007
- Report: Best Buy Sells Most Blu-ray, HD DVD Titles Oct 08, 2007
- Universal Demos "U-Shop" Functionality on 'Evan Almighty' HD DVD Oct 03, 2007
- Home Theater Group Backs Blu-ray Sep 25, 2007
- Warner: HD DVD/Blu-ray Hybrid Disc "On Hold For Now" Sep 13, 2007
- Amazon Targets HD DVD, Blu-ray Fans With Series of Next-Gen Sales Incentives (UPDATED) Aug 29, 2007
- Venturer to Release Budget HD DVD Player for the Holidays (UPDATED) Aug 28, 2007
- Warner Denies Rumors of Shift in High-Def Strategy Aug 24, 2007
- AP: Paramount/DreamWorks Drops Blu-ray; Studio to Support HD DVD Exclusively Aug 20, 2007
- '300' Blu-ray Outsells HD DVD by 2 to 1 Aug 09, 2007
- Blu-ray, HD DVD Overtake VHS in Sales Aug 08, 2007
- '300' HD DVD to Include First Web-Enabled Transaction Opportunities Jul 23, 2007
- Universal Pledges Web-Enabled Features on All New HD DVD Titles Jul 19, 2007
- More HD DVD Titles Released in Q2 Than Blu-ray Jul 02, 2007
- Columbia House Says it Will Add Blu-ray, HD DVD to Club Menu Jun 25, 2007
- Warner Preps More Classic Catalog for Blu-ray, HD DVD May 23, 2007
- HD DVD Stand-Alone Players Surpass 100,000 Milestone Apr 18, 2007
- Retailers Report Missed Street Dates for HD DVD, Blu-ray Discs Apr 09, 2007
- 'Jerk,' 'Nutty Professor' Latest Universal Combo Retoolings Apr 02, 2007
- First Total HD Combo Discs Could Be Ready by Early Summer Mar 15, 2007
- February Disc Sales: Blu-ray Continues to Outsell HD DVD; 'Departed' Offers Head-to-Head Sales Comparison Mar 09, 2007
- VideoScan: Overall Blu-ray Disc Sales Now Surpass HD DVD Feb 23, 2007
- Finally: VideoScan Releases High-Def Disc Sales Numbers Feb 01, 2007
- CES: Blu-ray and HD DVD camps Reveal 2006 Hardware Sales Figures, Both Claim Victory Jan 08, 2007
- First PS3, XBox HD DVD Add-On Sales Numbers Dec 14, 2006
- Universal Going MPEG-4? Oct 26, 2006
- Amazon, Microsoft Team Up to Bring HD DVD to Indie Filmmakers Jul 02, 2006
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