Market and studio support of both formats grows more exclusive
Compelled to make a choice between the two formats, movie studios and other publishers of video content have found themselves with the unenviable position of choosing a winner in a dead heat. Nevertheless, Blu-Ray appears to be gaining ground in seeking exclusive home video distribution rights from major film studios. As of January 2008, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Lionsgate, MGM, Buena Vista and Miramax pictures all released their titles exclusively on Blu-ray. Warner Brothers and New Line, currently releasing titles in both formats, will cease HD DVD title distribution in June 2008. The New York Times has predicted Warner Brothers’ defection will effectively end the commercial viability of HD DVD. Toshiba executives meanwhile have vowed to fight on despite the bad news. Paramount, Focus Features, and Universal continue their exclusivity with HD DVD. In September of 2007, Blu-ray was named the format of choice by the Home Theatre Specialists of America, a group that includes some 62 merchants and 800 home theatre installers nationwide.
The winning format will drop in price
It’s important to remember that prices of both formats have been kept somewhat inflated as result of the struggle for market dominance. As one side emerges as the designated industry choice, promotion and advertising incentives will bring the cost of the technology down among its several manufacturers. The product released for the winning format will decrease in price as well, much as DVD costs began to sharply drop following the widespread dissemination of DVD players that began roughly seven years ago. In fact, the home video industry needs prices of high definition video titles to come down as soon as possible. DVD sales, once celebrated as the savior of a film industry facing declining revenue, saw its sales peak last year. Many industry employees look to sales of high definition home videos will bolster that market. However, with many families shifting towards downloading movies from the Internet, the dispute may rapidly become irrelevant.
Shopping for the format of your choice
Buying the high definition player of your choice presents several opportunities to strategically shop for the best bargain. Don’t underestimate the value of a "wait and see" attitude, either: the nonprofit product evaluation group Consumer Reports recommends waiting to see which format comes out on top before making a final decision. When it’s time to shop, though, they also recommend finding the best picture quality for your money. High definition players should all qualify for the technical specifications of high definition picture quality. In addition, most high definition players should be able to convert regular DVD’s into high definition resolution but not HD picture quality.
Taking advantage of sales and discounts
Shopping smart means taking your time and finding the best value for the money you’re prepared to spend. It’s best not to exceed your spending limit, however, as with any family purchase. The electronics superstores are less likely to negotiate a price, but they do frequently offer sales with steep discounts on discontinued models. They may also offer significant savings on floor demonstration units. Shopping online may promise significant savings, but it’s also important to buy safely from a reputable Web site with proven customer service satisfaction commitments. You should also be prepared for the reasonably unlikely chance that the product can become damaged during shipping. DVD players of all kinds are delicate instruments, not entirely well-suited to transit.
Extra warranties and service contracts provide additional peace of mind.
Additional service warranties extend the manufacturer’s warranty and provide the buyer with increased protection in the event of defect or accident. Most electronics superstores offer extended coverage for a small fee atop the actual sales price, betting the consumer won’t need it: modern electronics boast durable construction as a matter of course, making them at least partially correct. But the extended coverage is well worth the peace of mind.
Buy name brand and buy quality merchandise.
There’s an old saying among electronics aficionados: "buy cheap, pay twice." When you shop, you’ll sometimes see obscure brand names on some products that offer a reduced cost. These brands may not meet the rough and tumble standards suitable for an entire family.
Renting and buying titles
Home video title providers like Netflix and Blockbuster have been quick to capitalize on the new high definition market. Netflix, the largest online movie rental service, offers both Blu-Ray and HD DVD titles as part of its monthly service plans. Blockbuster carries Blu-ray in over 1100 stores and also stocks both formats online and in its 250 stores that already rent both high-definition formats. Several national retail superstores carry titles in both formats online and in their stores, including Target, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy.
Finally, many of the major film studios have implemented release schedules that allow high definition titles to accompany their standard DVD new releases to stores on a same-day basis. As one format gradually assumes dominance over the other, this trend will likely become regular practice.
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