Netflix Chooses Blu-ray, Big Blow to Any Chance of an HD DVD Comeback

February 11, 2008

Netflix Notwithstanding the price slashing Toshiba has been doing (HD DVD player with 7 movies for $129 compared to Blu-ray players starting in the $300’s), Netflix choosing to drop HD DVD by year’s end in favor of Blu-ray exclusivity is quite the blow to the HD DVD crowd. Thanks a lot, Netflix. Give me an online streaming experience in HD by year’s end, and you’re forgiven. See below for full text of the email going out to any Netflix HD DVD users:

We’re Going Blu-ray

Dear Bob,

You’re receiving this email because you have asked to receive high-definition movies in the HD DVD format. As you may have heard, most of the major movie studios have recently decided to release their high-definition movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. In order to provide the best selection of high-definition titles for our members, we have decided to go exclusively with Blu-ray as well.

While we will continue to make our current selection of HD DVD titles available to you for the next several months, we will not be adding additional HD DVD titles or reordering replacements.

Toward the end of February, HD DVDs in your Saved Queue will automatically be changed to standard definition DVDs. Then toward the end of this year, all HD DVDs in your Queue will be changed to standard definition DVDs. Don’t worry, we will contact you before this happens.

You can click here to change your format preferences.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call us at 1 (888) 638-3549.

-The Netflix Team

*Update* More bad news for HD DVD… “Best Buy will recommend Blu-ray as the preferred format.”

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Filed Under: Media, Netflix, Tech News, Web 2.0

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Kevin M. Keating 10 months ago 1 point
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I heard about this this morning and thought of you. I'm honestly surprised Netflix took sides so early. I, too, am hoping for some comprehensive (and Mac-able) streaming by year's end. It'd give me a reason to get on board.

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Bob Caswell 10 months ago 1 point
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Thanks, Kevin. Some might say I'm in denial with what I'm about to say next, but my HD DVD player being one third the price of any Blu-ray equivalent makes me feel like I haven't thrown away too much money (it still works as a nice upconvert DVD player). If online/downloadable movies do win over any physical format, I'm glad I picked the cheaper one!

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Emma 10 months ago 1 point
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I wouldn't jump the bandwagon too soon -- consumer reviews from people who purchased the sony blu-ray: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_260217_sony_blu_r...

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