MCV

Yeah, but who shops in Woolworths?

Unfortunately, rather a lot of people. Oh well.

Bring on the apple TV HD downloads, then we'll see who'll win this format war.

Looks like they will drop the only format capable of replacing SD DVD. Once Woolworth drops HD DVD & only backs Blu-Ray, they will come back to their senses and start selling HD DVD, the only consumer Hi Def format.

Anyway we all know SONY is paying off Woolworth to drop HD DVD. No retailer can make a decision based on less than 1.5% of HDM vs. over 85%+ SD DVD. This news is only going to hurt Hi Def Media, and you can all thank Sony & the pathetic BDA for it.

No concern to me as I've dumped 'Woolworths' for thier pathetic customer service. They should worry more about that!!!

@Mike.... I m guessing you are one of the unlucky people who bought an HD-DVD machine then?

Or else what planet are you coming from!

@Mike.... I m guessing you are one of the unlucky people who bought an HD-DVD machine then?

Or else what planet are you coming from!

@Mike.... I m guessing you are one of the unlucky people who bought an HD-DVD machine then?

Or else what planet are you coming from!

Why oh why, didn't Microsoft release a Xbox360 with a HD drive built into it. Do they not care about this format at all.

horray.Good news because once HD-DVD disappears from the shelves in every store and they all start stocking Blu-Rays, price wars will occur and the price of BR discs will come down. Instead of being bitter you HD-DVD owners, cut your losses now, sell the HD-DVD and get a BD player instead. In 12 months you won't be able to give it away. Clearly Mike you've never worked in retail. You can't compare old technology to new, Woolworths were obviously trying to stay one step ahead of their competition and get a foot in the HD market whilst it's in infancy and they can make more money from it before the price wars. Their strategy was to sell both new formats and see which id the best. They know now that HD-DVDs isn't going to make them money, so they cut their losses and put their weight behind the one that is selling. This is why Woolies have a shop on every high street and make millions a year. Now unless you're some high ranking CEO of a major corporation, I don't think you can tell them that they don't know what they are doing. If you went to them and applied for a job and told them to buy into HD-DVD and not BR as it's the only consumer hi-def format, I think you'd be given your P45 in 6 months.

I was in Woolies at the New year, they want 70 quid for a Blu Ray TV Box set (Heroes), almost twice as much as DVD - that's why they only want one format. Since the business was having problems they have to make the best of their shop space, but that's no excuse to try to rip people off.

I was in Woolies at the New year, they want 70 quid for a Blu Ray TV Box set (Heroes), almost twice as much as DVD - that's why they only want one format. Since the business was having problems they have to make the best of their shop space, but that's no excuse to try to rip people off.

Blu Ray Heroes???? Heroes is a Universal IP. And in case you didn't know, Universal are/were backing HD-DVD exclusively.

Heroes was released only on HD-DVD, not Blu-ray mate

Posted by: JD - 43 minutes ago
No concern to me as I've dumped 'Woolworths' for thier pathetic customer service. They should worry more about that!!!

I agree - shocking shop. Why does anyone shop there?

@ post number 8. Are you kidding! Blu-ray is at this price point because of the format war. Now with HD DVD out of the way, there no incentive to reduce prices further. Don't forget Sony & Co need to re-coup the millions they have wasted on this petty war. Sony USED the PS3 gamers to launch their stupid format, as they could easily have released a PS3 without the Blu Ray Drive. At present no game comes close to filling a HD DVD disc let alone a Blu Ray one. And HD DVD shows that all that space isn't needed. Before anyone mentions it I'm not a HD DVD lover, I'm a gamer that fed up to the back teeth of Sony's underhand methods to screw the consumer!

I'm an PS3-Owner from Germany and -of course- I'm happy to see this trend, because it's really time for a take-off for HD. Until now there were not much good movies at BR (AND HD-DVD), so a decision in one direction can only be good for us consumers to give us a broader range of movie titles in the future. But of course I can understand the HD-DVD fanboys, who unfortunately made the wrong decision. the chances were 50/50...

"Why oh why, didn't Microsoft release a Xbox360 with a HD drive built into it. Do they not care about this format at all."

The reason is simple, MS didn't have the Gonads!

Most tec. customers are savy........people need a reason to move into a new format. People have built up movie collections on DVD and don't care enough to move into a new format just because they have brought a flash hd flat screen.

The ps3 is a media centre! It plays games, music, net and movies. Sony have been serious from day one (ok they mucked around with ps3 launch dates), but they see their system working in the long run. Now that the PS3 is coming down in price, people are buying into it. It's a no brainer!

If sony hadn't put an expensive blu ray system into the PS3..then i think the format wars would be in a very different position.

It's game over for HD-DVD and game over for xbox 360.

Why did people not see this coming?

"Why oh why, didn't Microsoft release a Xbox360 with a HD drive built into it. Do they not care about this format at all."

The reason is simple, MS didn't have the Gonads!

Most tec. customers are savy........people need a reason to move into a new format. People have built up movie collections on DVD and don't care enough to move into a new format just because they have brought a flash hd flat screen.

The ps3 is a media centre! It plays games, music, net and movies. Sony have been serious from day one (ok they mucked around with ps3 launch dates), but they see their system working in the long run. Now that the PS3 is coming down in price, people are buying into it. It's a no brainer!

If sony hadn't put an expensive blu ray system into the PS3..then i think the format wars would be in a very different position.

It's game over for HD-DVD and game over for xbox 360.

Why did people not see this coming?

@ post 14: "At present no game comes close to filling a HD DVD disc let alone a Blu Ray one."

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune takes 24GB of the BR-Disk. The developers said, it WOULD be possible to squeeze it on DVD, but that would be very difficult. so in terms of gaming microsoft would get a lot trouble in the future, while developers can put a lot more stuff on a BR-Disk. Think about DTS-Soundfiles (what's really great in gaming!) and high-quality textures.
And yes, I'm a PS3-Fanboy. A happy one. :-)

@ post 14: "At present no game comes close to filling a HD DVD disc let alone a Blu Ray one."

Uncharted: Drakes Fortune takes 24GB of the BR-Disk. The developers said, it WOULD be possible to squeeze it on DVD, but that would be very difficult. so in terms of gaming microsoft would get a lot trouble in the future, while developers can put a lot more stuff on a BR-Disk. Think about DTS-Soundfiles (what's really great in gaming!) and high-quality textures.
And yes, I'm a PS3-Fanboy. A happy one. :-)

@Cad - "Why did people not see this coming?"

Some of us did, and the ones that didn't are now just trying to convince us they are still right... You're absolutely right about why MS didn't put a HD drive in the 360. It's because MS have absolutely no innovation at all - in any of their products - they copy constantly off their competitors. Sony are clever and innovative and should be applauded. They're giving us a machine with a 10 year life span yet MS try and flog you a new console every 3 - 4 years. And every MS puppy dog roll over and laps it up.

@GMD - Sorry mate you're wrong. Once HD-DVD is out of the way, we'll see BR's appear all over the place like Tesco and Asda. They'll adopt their usual policy of flog everything for next to nothing and the only way others will be able to compete is to drop their prices to follow suit. And also once BRs are mass produced to the extent of DVDs, the prices will drop too. Do you not remember DVD prices ten years ago? About the same as BRs today. As soon as the supermarkets started to sell them and everyone started embracing the new technology, prices tumbled. And people will now start to embrace BRs as there is one clear winner in this war. You'll see who's right. If in a few years BR prices haven't dropped and HD-DVD is no longer around, I'll be the first to admit I was wrong.

@16/17: How is XBox360 over? I would agree that BRD is going to be the one taking off, but that has little to do with the actual games machines. 360 is currently better than PS3, although hopefully this will change this year. I love my 360, but I do feel sorry for the raw deal Sony has given PS3 owners so far.

BTW: People, please don't double post

I don't understand the big deal. I have a 37" Panasonic HD LCD panel, running an Xbox360 Elite through HDMI at 1080p, upscaling normal DVD's, and it looks amazing.

I am usually the first to notice low quality pictures, but this looks great. Why would I pay for my DVD collection again (it cost enough to upgrade from video the first time), when basic upscaling looks so nice.

Sure, If you run a 50" panel, I am sure the difference may be noticable. But unless they offer some kind of trade in or cheaper alternative, I will stick with my DVD's which I can play at any of my friends houses at the moment.

Woolworths can drop both formats for all I care, and I am sure most of the general public would not notice any difference. I know a few people with 50" panels running normal SKY TV through them, and they are happy with the (poor) quality. These are IT people, so i doubt normal folk care.

Your Panasonic is wasted. If you don't see High Def material running on it how can you judge whether or not you think the difference is not substantial? I own a Sony 32" KDL D3000 - it looks awesome running blu ray and HD through it. The Panny which you own may be the next one for me - my friend has it and the depth of colour and blacks are very very good in HD.

What i find funny about all the 360 fan boys, is how they need to get the best out of their machines instantly, theres no future proofing. I don't want to have multiple systems, converters and add ons. The PS3 is slowly cranking up it's output of games and blu ray is slowly coming into a more universal position. I think it's a position a lot of people were hoping for ; )


@21 it generated a double post, so what. Munch me!

@23: I never said that I cannot see the difference, I see a HUGE difference over my 24" Dell monitor through DVI. The point I was making is that upscaling does a very good job, and the average person will not notice.

I have seen a HD video running through my TV, and as good as they are, they are not much better than normal, considering how much it would cost to upgrade your whole collection.
It is not like upgrading a PC to run the latest games with full graphics.

I love my new HD Panasonic, but I don't see how I could justify the cost of Blu-Ray just so "It looks a little better".

Or are you saying that because I haven't bought every Sony product that I am not running in HD. If you are, then you are a fool my friend...A FOOL!

@24: I was only mentioning it as many people keep doing it on this page. It is not hard to only hit the button once. Or are you blinded by Sony products that you can't see what you are doing?

While I understand those who bought into HD DVD being upset that they will end up taking a (perhaps substantial) loss on that format, it's just an optical disc format.

All those people who are suddenly talking about a "download future" or that "DVD is good enough" are either kidding themselves... or are on corporate payrolls which have now given up on HD DVD... and are now moving in a new direction. There really is no other explanation for such behavior.

Are there differences between HD DVD and Blu-ray? Sure there are. One holds more data and has a higher data transfer rate. The other mandates more features in players. Other than that... *****ally cares? Everything else is essentially the same. If you refuse to buy the winning format (in a format war that should NEVER have happened) then you clearly care more about one corporation "winning" than a high-def media future. And that's just sad.

I own Blu-ray... but I'm not a Sony apologist. They are out to make money... and any "concern" for the consumer is just a byproduct of them trying to make more money. The same is absolutely true of Toshiba and Microsoft. No round optical disc is more "consumer-friendly" than another. It's just something fanbois try to claim, to justify their view of the corporate world.

To those who bought into HD DVD because they could afford it, I'm sorry things worked out the way they did. To those who simply hate Sony but love Microsoft... I have no pity for you. Corporations are neither good nor evil... they simply exist. If you feel the need to fight for one while protesting another, then it's time to get out and do something with your life. Corporations DO NOT care about you. If they did there NEVER would have been a format war to begin with.

While I understand those who bought into HD DVD being upset that they will end up taking a (perhaps substantial) loss on that format, it's just an optical disc format.

All those people who are suddenly talking about a "download future" or that "DVD is good enough" are either kidding themselves... or are on corporate payrolls which have now given up on HD DVD... and are now moving in a new direction. There really is no other explanation for such behavior.

Are there differences between HD DVD and Blu-ray? Sure there are. One holds more data and has a higher data transfer rate. The other mandates more features in players. Other than that... *****ally cares? Everything else is essentially the same. If you refuse to buy the winning format (in a format war that should NEVER have happened) then you clearly care more about one corporation "winning" than a high-def media future. And that's just sad.

I own Blu-ray... but I'm not a Sony apologist. They are out to make money... and any "concern" for the consumer is just a byproduct of them trying to make more money. The same is absolutely true of Toshiba and Microsoft. No round optical disc is more "consumer-friendly" than another. It's just something fanbois try to claim, to justify their view of the corporate world.

To those who bought into HD DVD because they could afford it, I'm sorry things worked out the way they did. To those who simply hate Sony but love Microsoft... I have no pity for you. Corporations are neither good nor evil... they simply exist. If you feel the need to fight for one while protesting another, then it's time to get out and do something with your life. Corporations DO NOT care about you. If they did there NEVER would have been a format war to begin with.

most people supporting HD DVD are actually x360 fanboys who bought the defective console without HDMI 1.3 and next gen DVD drive

Now everyone should dump x360 too since it has no games. The biggest of 2008 ---MGS4,FF13,KZ2 ,RESISTANCE 2,LBP are all ps3 exclusive

Too Human... Alan Wake... Halo Wars... Banjo Kazooie...

Nothing for 360, nope.

All three consoles will do well by the end of the battle. 360 has already established itself, Wii has been a runaway success and the PS3 is gathering pace.

While I understand those who bought into HD DVD being upset that they will end up taking a (perhaps substantial) loss on that format, it's just an optical disc format.

All those people who are suddenly talking about a "download future" or that "DVD is good enough" are either kidding themselves... or are on corporate payrolls which have now given up on HD DVD... and are now moving in a new direction. There really is no other explanation for such behavior.

Are there differences between HD DVD and Blu-ray? Sure there are. One holds more data and has a higher data transfer rate. The other mandates more features in players. Other than that... *****ally cares? Everything else is essentially the same. If you refuse to buy the winning format (in a format war that should NEVER have happened) then you clearly care more about one corporation "winning" than a high-def media future. And that's just sad.

I own Blu-ray... but I'm not a Sony apologist. They are out to make money... and any "concern" for the consumer is just a byproduct of them trying to make more money. The same is absolutely true of Toshiba and Microsoft. No round optical disc is more "consumer-friendly" than another. It's just something fanbois try to claim, to justify their view of the corporate world.

To those who bought into HD DVD because they could afford it, I'm sorry things worked out the way they did. To those who simply hate Sony but love Microsoft... I have no pity for you. Corporations are neither good nor evil... they simply exist. If you feel the need to fight for one while protesting another, then it's time to get out and do something with your life. Corporations DO NOT care about you. If they did there NEVER would have been a format war to begin with.

The reason Microsoft didn't put a HD-DVD or Blu-Ray drive in their machine is because it helps creates those lovely frame rate issues PS3 owners are getting used to (especially those who play Pro Evo). The machine can't get enough data off the disc to render the picture quick enough.

Also it beats me why people would rather pay £25 - £30 for a Blu-Ray disc with hardly any special features, if any at all, versus a HD-DVD disc loaded with features, region free and thus half the price imported from America (This also skews the UK figures favourably to Blu-Ray as most people who are taking up HD-DVD get them through sales channels that aren't recorded and added to those figures).

Toshiba’s Olivier Van Wynendaele is either living
in a fantasy world with Peter Pan or has no clue
as what the consumer is doing with High Def.
The president of Toshiba - Atsutoshi Nishida
should be sacked for his hand in HD DVD failures.

@26/27/30: DVD is good enough for the average person. You sound like the type of person who buys all the latest products to boast, rather than actually enjoying them.

You go and buy your entire collection of films on blu ray for almost double the cost of a normal dvd. I will be happy not having to fork out £1000's for the latest media type. Like I said before, upscaling does a good enough job without having to spend a fortune. Have you even seen upscaling in action? or are you just blinded by Sony marketing?

BTW: reposting your exact same words doesn't make anyone side with you more or understand your perspective.

no the people that are dissapointed at a loss from buying a player, are every sinle blu ray owner who bought a set top player, from 499 to over 1000 dollars, that are redundant with the 1.1 and v2.0 blu ray spec the manufacturers knew about all along.
the PS3 is the only thing capable of being upgraded, and the blu ray camp has publicly admited they don't care. class action doesn't even half cover it.

Why oh why are people arguing. If you dive into new technology without a good understanding of how the technology may move, then you may get burnt. Unless you brought a PS3 (knowing you really wanted the other media facilities on it), then you either had money to try your luck at a new HD format or you're a gambler.

There really shouldn't be any sour grapes about this.

If you've brought an HD DVD player, your loosing the battle. Unless of course your happy with just the quick fix promotional offers. But also if you brought a Blu ray player that is not up gradable..... i'm sorry you brought too soon.
You gambled as well.

I'm not a Sony fan boy, i do however like the flexibility of the PS3! Every large company in music/ films/ games/ software to retail stores (Woolworths) are in it to make money, and will screw the public and each other to make money or be seen as a winner.

Also if your happy with DVD quality fantastic! I'm pretty happy with it as well. However, people want to know which new HD format to choose, so that they can complement their DVD collection with a new HD format films.

@33........don't be a post nazi.....use your thumb to scroll!

BOYS!
By regular use of a duster,and those little yellow cloths you get with glasses,all this kerfuffle can be sorted.I've heard that
"going out"and getting "a life" could be the answer to your horrific predicament.

woolies are taking a huge risk as far as i know only HD-DVD players can play standard def dvds so when everyones old dvd players go bang they will need to go to hd-dvd or risk losing the ability to play the hundreds of standard def movies they have

@ 37

Get your facts right dude. Bluray players are backwards compatible with DVDs.

How do you like those apples?

@ 37

Get your facts right dude. Bluray players are backwards compatible with DVDs.

How do you like those apples?

Do you have an HD DVD player - are you angry that it has lost out to blu ray?

I work on the bbc 6 o'clock new - can you help with some filming today?

If yes, give me a call on 0208 624 9996

jonathan sumberg