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Netflix to support Blu-ray exclusively

Over the remainder of the year it’s going to be increasingly more difficult to acquire HD DVD movies apparently. The leading online movie rental company, Netflix Inc., has announced they will phase out HD DVD by the end of the year. You already can’t rent HD DVD in most Blockbuster stores, so by next year it seems Blockbuster Online will be the only place to rent HD DVDs, that is unless they also follow suit. The ironic thing is many HD DVD fanatics called on a boycott of Blockbuster after they announced they would exclusively rent Blu-ray Discs in their stores last year.

“The prolonged period of competition between two formats has prevented clear communication to the consumer regarding the richness of the high-def experience versus standard definition,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix. “We’re now at the point where the industry can pursue the migration to a single format, bring clarity to the consumer and accelerate the adoption of high-def.”

Netflix states that a majority of subscribers that have selected high-def rentals have chosen Blu-ray over HD DVD. No numbers were provided.

The plan is to only purchase Blu-ray Discs from here on out and to phase out the current stock of HD DVD. They did not mention if they would sell the stock off or how they plan on this.

This is really just another sign showing the obvious, HD DVD’s days are numbered. As I said before, there is no war anymore and the HD DVD holdouts are simply insurgents. This isn’t fanboy, this isn’t because I’m dedicated to any format, this is because it’s clear as day that the war is over.

Netflix’s press release says it clearly in the opening line: “With the industry now having picked a winner in the face-off between the two competing high-definition DVD formats, Netflix … will move toward stocking high-def DVDs exclusively in the Blu-ray format.”

Kaleidescape to support Blu-ray

When I first wrote about Kaleidescape, they were ambivalent to HD DVD and Blu-ray. Yesterday they announced they would be supporting Blu-ray in the future (thanks to Kaleidescape Owners’ Forum).

A new Blu-ray player will be released for the system that will rip DVD, CD and possibly Blu-ray to the server. This player will be compatible with all existing servers, so it will be easy to upgrade if you currently have one (and don’t we all?). As Kaleidescape is trying to keep their business on the “up-and-up,” I imagine they’re looking to get the BDA to give them the ability to copy the discs without resorting to third-party encrypting software as other companies are doing. It’s posible the user might have to pay the studio a “user fee” on each copy of the movie.



The player is expected in 2009 at about the same cost as the current media player. They’re predicting at least 5 streams of video and audio from the player with the possibility of going up to 20 on a gigabit network.

There are no plans for an HD DVD model, but they will be watching the marketplace and revisit that decision in the future.

So all of you with $20,000 sitting around and don’t know what to do with it, find a Kaleidescape dealer and enjoy the ride.

Blu-ray player shortage

I just received word from one of the nation’s largest A/V distributors that Blu-ray players are in short supply and is expected to be tight throughout the second quarter. Currently they’re only able to ship Samsung Blu-ray and combo players, and the LG combo player. All other players are sold out.

There could be a couple of reasons for this, in my opinion. 1) The holiday season was stronger than expected, or 2) the manufacturers are preparing for their spring release of the new BD1.1 and BD2.0 players. Whatever the case, this shortage may affect the sales numbers for Blu-ray over the next couple of months as this particular distributer serves the majority of A/V retailers and installers.

Onkyo suspends HD DVD support

HD DVD has had a difficult time attracting CE manufacturers. Toshiba has been the only company to consistently provide HD DVD hardware. RCA was the first to re-badge a Toshiba player, but they later dropped their support to “focus on DVD.” They later picked up the support of Canada’s Venturer who was supposed to be the price-leader for HD DVD but by the time it hit the market the Toshiba was even cheaper still. Some retailers were reporting that they had shipments of Venturer players they couldn’t sell as the customers opted for the name-brand Toshiba player. And finally, Onkyo joined the HD DVD cause late last year along with their high-end Integra line finally bringing another well-respected name to the HD DVD banner.



It appears this support is waning in the wake of Warner’s early-January blow. An Onkyo spokesperson told Home Cinema Choice, “Given the current, multiple uncertainties surrounding the Blu-ray vs HD DVD issue, Onkyo has decided against bringing any further DV-HD805s to the UK.” There was no comment on North America, or if this also applied to the Integra model.

The main cause for each of the companies HD DVD ennui stems from Toshiba’s “race to the bottom” by cutting prices over and over, edging them out of the market. An Onkyo representative echoes this saying, “If a category becomes commoditised - as this sector shows signs of becoming - there’s less reason to commit huge resources to it when they may be better employed elsewhere.” This does indicate that Toshiba’s aggressive pricing strategy is central cause behind Onkyo’s decision.

Now, you might have noticed how this article’s title says Onkyo has “suspended” their support. You might wonder what that means considering a halt to their current plans seems indefinite, but the Japanese manufacturer has hinted at a new high-def player coming later this year. The representative said that they would “unveil a new HD source later this year, but cannot confirm at this stage whether it will be an HD DVD, Blu-ray or combo device.” So I’m being a little generous by suggesting they may resume their HD DVD plans in the future, but it’s also possible they go with Blu-ray as well.

Imation drops HD DVD

The world’s leading recordable media manufacturer will back Blu-ray exclusively under their TDK brand, according to Warren News. TDK developed the extra scratch and dust resistant coating for the Blu-ray Disc format, but has so far made both competing high-def format blanks. This move mirrors the recent shift in the movie market lead by Warner in the beginning of January.

Blu-ray is the leading next-generation format in computing, with approximately 10% of all notebooks in the coming year expected to be sold with Blu-ray drives, thanks to the reduction in blue-violet diode costs. The USA hasn’t seen any set-top recorders for either format, but Japan is dominated by Blu-ray recorders.

Alienware details new High Definition Media Server

The latest, greatest Windows Media Center is the new Alienware High Definition Media Server. Besides its ubiquitous name, the High Definition Media Server (I’m going to call it the HDMS) has a sleek design, up to 4TB storage in RAID-5 redundancy, Intel quad-core processor, 1080p video, Blu-ray Disc read/write, up to four cable tuners (two in high-def), and 7.1 channel pre-amp outputs.



At this point there is no MSRP. Alienware is searching for custom installation firms interested in integrating this product into high-end homes. If I had an undisclosed amount of money I’d consider this.

Visit the Alienware site for more details.