Sony and BR lose exclusive BR deal

DSNY FN · 10-17-2007, 11:05 PM

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/HD/HD_DVD/J8T5Q8M5

JB Hi Fi has dropped their exclusive deal with Sony and BR in order to carry Toshiba HD DVD players and movies.

Here is the jist of the link.

Quote:

Sony and Blu-ray have lost their exclusivity in JBHi-Fi stores with the announcement that effective from November, the major retailer will start selling HD DVD players and content. The big winner is Toshiba, with JB Hi-Fi Marketing Director Scott Browning conceding that it was the exclusive Paramount content deal with HD DVD that swung him over to the HD DVD format.
Back in February this year at the launch of the Blu-ray Disc Working Group, Browning said that JB Hi-Fi would only sell Blu-ray hardware and software because of the strength of the format.

But in an interview with SmartHouse today Browning said, "We have come to the conclusion that cutting the consumer out of a HD DVD opportunity was not right, as content is critical and the move by Paramount to support HD DVD exclusively influenced our decision. In addition, Toshiba is a strong brand and we are currently selling their computer products, and will next year be selling their LCD TVs."

He added, "The dropping of the entry-level price to a HD DVD player late last week by Toshiba was not a key part of our decision. We are focused on 1080p and the HD DVD offering from Toshiba will complement our existing customer offering. Toshiba have done a great job in expanding their CE range and we look forward to working with their team."

But Toshiba says the recent price cut on its HD DVD players ($499 for the entry-level model) coupled with upcoming marketing campaigns for new release HD DVD titles puts the format in good stead.

Toshiba ISD General Manager Mark Whittard and HD DVD Consortium spokesperson said, "In Australia, Toshiba launched its AV business in July this year, including the full HD DVD player line-up, together with the local formation of the HD DVD Consortium.

"Since then, HD DVD has experienced many milestone successes, such as Paramount's move to join Universal in exclusively producing HD DVD films, and now JB Hi-Fi's decision to sell HD DVD hardware and software. The HD DVD Consortium is excited that this latest announcement adds to HD DVD's momentum and market share gain."

Retailer JB Hi-Fi previously stocked the full line of Toshiba notebooks including HD DVD models, and now its range of HD DVD products extends to include Toshiba HD DVD players and HD DVD software from Paramount Home Entertainment, DreamWorks, Warner Home Video and Universal Pictures.

HD DVD titles to become available over summer include box office hits Transformers, Bourne Ultimatum and Shrek the Third - all exclusive to the HD format. Christmas will also see the availability of Harry Potter, and TV series Heroes Season 1 and Star Trek – The Original Series.

Globally, Toshiba claims HD DVD sales are strong with United States showing 54% of all stand-alone HD player purchases are in the HD DVD format (NPD) and in Europe, HD DVD has 69% market share (GfK).

Super XP · 10-18-2007, 02:35 AM

Finally Toshiba's HD DVD is being taken seriously.

phearcat · 10-18-2007, 11:11 AM

For any retailer to be exclusive to one format is just bad for consumers. Its one thing for studios to be exclusive because of the cost associated with manufacturing two competing formats. But for a store to carry Only Blu Ray or Only HD DVD really doesn't serve any purpose.

**PFC5** · 10-21-2007, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phearcat

For any retailer to be exclusive to one format is just bad for consumers. Its one thing for studios to be exclusive because of the cost associated with manufacturing two competing formats. But for a store to carry Only Blu Ray or Only HD DVD really doesn't serve any purpose.

I totally agree. What would possess a store to do this anyway?

Super XP · 10-21-2007, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

I totally agree. What would possess a store to do this anyway?

Beats me

sam9007 · 12-11-2007, 08:52 PM

So they are going to be HD DVD exclusive now or both?

CapBBeard · 12-11-2007, 10:29 PM

They sell both now.

HD VHS has reported a really awesome response to HD DVD at JB HiFi stores too

JMCIII · 12-12-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

I totally agree. What would possess a store to do this anyway?

$$$$ from uncle Sony

Hvnsent309 · 01-22-2008, 06:54 PM

funny, I have never heard of JB Hi Fi .... I'm sure that this doesn't sway a whole lot of people into taking HD DVD any more seriously.

jnester74 · 01-22-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapBBeard

They sell both now.

HD VHS has reported a really awesome response to HD DVD at JB HiFi stores too

Where is HD VHS?? I haven't seen him here in forever.

Bleedgreen71 · 01-22-2008, 07:40 PM

why did a thread from october get dug up? thats my question.

mshulman · 01-22-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnester74

Where is HD VHS?? I haven't seen him here in forever.

Apparently he got banned.

Super XP · 01-22-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hvnsent309

funny, I have never heard of JB Hi Fi .... I'm sure that this doesn't sway a whole lot of people into taking HD DVD any more seriously.

They are one of the biggest electronic Giants in Australia, so yet they can have a tremendous impact on the Format War. There is a demand for HD DVD players there.

The_Omega_Man · 01-23-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super XP

They are one of the biggest electronic Giants in Australia, so yet they can have a tremendous impact on the Format War. There is a demand for HD DVD players there.

This assumes that they will maintain this postion for a while, after Blu-Friday!

ag9670 · 01-23-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phearcat

For any retailer to be exclusive to one format is just bad for consumers. Its one thing for studios to be exclusive because of the cost associated with manufacturing two competing formats. But for a store to carry Only Blu Ray or Only HD DVD really doesn't serve any purpose.

Never thought about that. Sooo true though.

10-18-2007, 02:35 AM	#2
Super XP Star Trek: The Movie! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto, ON. Canada Posts: 5,776	Finally Toshiba's HD DVD is being taken seriously. __________________ Toshiba Regza 46" HDTV (46RF350U) LCD 1080p/24p Toshiba HD-A35 / HD-A3 / XD-E500 LG GGC-H20L Super Multi / PC Drive Onkyo TX-SR605 7.1 TrueHD/DTS HD MA Precision Acoustics™ 8Ch. Hi Def Loudspeaker Series DVD's = 200 = 130 = 10

10-18-2007, 11:11 AM	#3
phearcat Me So HD Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The OC Age: 39 Posts: 698	For any retailer to be exclusive to one format is just bad for consumers. Its one thing for studios to be exclusive because of the cost associated with manufacturing two competing formats. But for a store to carry Only Blu Ray or Only HD DVD really doesn't serve any purpose. __________________ 50" Pioneer Plamsa pdp-5070hd HDTV XBox 360 Elite (HDMI) w/HD-DVD XBL: Phear Cat Nintendo Wii HD DVD: 41

12-11-2007, 10:29 PM	#7
CapBBeard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 464	They sell both now. HD VHS has reported a really awesome response to HD DVD at JB HiFi stores too __________________ HD DVDs: 26 X360 Add-on through HTPC Recently added: Batman Begins, Ocean's 11/12/13, Disturbia, Blade Runner, Hot Fuzz, Zodiac

01-22-2008, 07:40 PM	#11
Bleedgreen71 HD Addict Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Virginia Age: 27 Posts: 1,151	why did a thread from october get dug up? thats my question. __________________ Equipment: - 42" Toshiba 42HM66 DLP - Toshiba HD-A3 (43 HD-DVD) - Xbox-360 (live tag: BleedGreen71) - No sound equip for a while since im still in an apt.

12-11-2007, 08:52 PM	#6
sam9007 HD DVD is very nice. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 218	So they are going to be HD DVD exclusive now or both?

01-22-2008, 06:54 PM	#9
Hvnsent309 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 36	funny, I have never heard of JB Hi Fi .... I'm sure that this doesn't sway a whole lot of people into taking HD DVD any more seriously.