Regarding Decision Not To Review Anymore HD DVD imports

[Arkadin]

Apparently this "great" decision was based on low "traffic" to the HD DVD import section. So does that mean that if it pisses off all of the HD DVD supporters that have been loyal to this site and they all stop coming, that that doesn't affect "traffic" negatively?
maybe something to think about when making decisions in the future.

[mistermono]

Little harsh, but I agree that I'd expect that kind of depth of coverage from HDD.

[Ken Brown]

Hi all -- just thought I'd jump in for anyone who hasn't read my response on the 'Underworld' German import thread.

To clarify, the decision to end HD DVD import coverage has nothing to do with profit, the new ownership, or not finishing out our support of HD DVD -- we're just responding (like we always have) to the things our readers are looking for. We will still be covering every domestic HD DVD release as we always have.

We've never been a site with regular HD import reviews, so we're not discontinuing a regular feature. We've always offered import reviews on our own time and dime in an attempt to appeal to the import fanbase. HD imports used to get quite a bit of attention, but in the last few months, all but a few dozen readers (out of hundreds of thousands) have stopped checking out HD import reviews. This isn't meant to belittle the value of our HD importer fanbase, but it is meant to provide a little perspective.

Again, I understand the disappointment. But this decision was made for the readers, not in spite of them. I also understand your frustration. But it should be focused on those who abandoned HD import coverage, rather than those who offered it for so long. Thanks as always for your thoughts -- I hope my clarification helps ease your disenchantment with our decision.

[Josh Z]

I would also add that within the other thread in the HD DVD forum were requests for reviews of a few titles that we do in fact already have reviews for on the site. When even the few people asking for reviews don't bother to read them, that makes it kind of hard to justify our continued hard work in writing the reviews and the bandwidth consumed to publish them.

The moral to this story is that if you want the site to continue import HD DVD reviews, you need to read the ones we have and convince all your friends to read them.

[Master X]

I sucks for me cuz I only support HD DVD and I dont plan to get a BD player till next year so imports were all i had left.

I dont care about the US HD DVD reviews since there from Warner theyll be or almost be the same as the BD reviews.

[Arkadin]

well my frustration is pretty high regarding this issue because it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. Many days I see the HD DVD software section with MORE viewers than the respective Blu-ray section. Now if we are only talking about the HD DVD IMPORT section then STILL the HD DVD section has WAY more viewers than the Blu-ray import section.
Now I would agree that the BD software section has seen its numbers increase, and the reason of course is obvious. But the numbers are still essentially the SAME based on when you look at them. Certainly the bd section is not ridiculously ahead or anything like that. I mean the viewing of the site as a whole is down with the end of the "war." So why in the world would you want to alienate your most loyal readers? The supporters of HD DVD have IN GENERAL always responded more in movie threads. Just look at the overall numbers of threads in each section. Anyway, it's a VERY poor decision. case closed.

[Ken Brown]

well my frustration is pretty high regarding this issue because it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. Many days I see the HD DVD software section with MORE viewers than the respective Blu-ray section. Now if we are only talking about the HD DVD IMPORT section then STILL the HD DVD section has WAY more viewers than the Blu-ray import section.
Now I would agree that the BD software section has seen its numbers increase, and the reason of course is obvious. But the numbers are still essentially the SAME based on when you look at them. Certainly the bd section is not ridiculously ahead or anything like that. I mean the viewing of the site as a whole is down with the end of the "war." So why in the world would you want to alienate your most loyal readers? The supporters of HD DVD have IN GENERAL always responded more in movie threads. Just look at the overall numbers of threads in each section. Anyway, it's a VERY poor decision. case closed.

Unfortunately, you're looking at forum views, and not the page views we see for the site. Relying on these numbers can be quite misleading. Many visitors don't visit the forums, so forum traffic numbers can be quite different than site traffic numbers.

The same is true of overall site visits. The viewing of the site isn't down, just the amount of traffic that graces the forums (particularly the Smackdown forum). Our site traffic is actually rising (we've had 2 million page views just this week). And yes, the Blu-ray sections are ridiculously ahead of the HD sections because most have chosen to accept the writing on the wall.

Finally, we're not alienating our most loyal readers. We're choosing to stop covering HD DVD imports because less than half of one percent of our readership has chosen to read them. I don't mean to be rude, but you're acting as if we're stabbing you in the back when we're merely letting you know there won't be desert after dinner this evening.

Shutting down the HD forums, the imports forum, or domestic HD DVD coverage would be alienating loyal readers. Again, we are not discontinuing a regular feature on the site -- just an irregular bonus we offered when the domestic release schedule was light.

It may not be an ideal decision to some, but it's a smart one for everyone involved. Like Josh said, you should be frustrated with importers who have stopped importing HD DVDs and reading HD import coverage, rather than the guys working to adapt to an ever-changing marketplace in the fallout of a format war.

[Arkadin]

Ken--I appreciate your clarification regarding this issue and the site traffic. Certainly I didn't mean to imply that overall site traffic is down--I meant the forums. Thanks for pointing that out. As far as "most loyal viewers" I was meaning of course the active participants of the HDD forums. I stand by that statement wholeheartedly.
I have been enjoying both formats for some time now as you know, but just feel badly for the FORUM participants who have been loyal HD DVD supporters for a long time, and who imo deserve to be able to look forward to further import reviews considering the overall state of HD DVD--if only 2 a month. I don't feel that is asking too much, but if it is then I certainly understand. It is indeed a shame if that few people are actually reading these reviews, as I realize the hard work and amount of time that the reviewers put into this work. Maybe HDD could ask which imports members would most like to see reviewed before completely pulling the plug. This might be an avenue that could yield a more deserved response for these important reviews.

[RandellG]

For what it's worth I did read the review from Ken on 'The Machinist'. I sent it to him and read the review, which if you read the discussion linked to the review you can tell.

I can't say I agree or disagree with this decision. I honestly don't care. The only HD imports I have is 'The Machinist', '1408', and 'Running Scared'. All of them have been reviewed. I've also read all the review on them.

I just glanced at the 'Underworld' reviews to compare them to the BR version. Which BTW I don't own, nor do I think I will ever buy.

I'm glad they will still be posting the BR imports though. I have a few more of them. 'Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky', 'Thir13en Ghosts', 'Starship Troopers', 'Perfume Story of a Murderer', 'The Recruit', and 'The Island'. Like the HD imports, I've read all the reviews to go with them (the ones posted anyway).

I normally read all the review, or at least glance at them to check the scores. I think if this is what HDD wants to do they should. However I think if a reviewer bought a HD import and wanted to review it, or someone was sending them it because the reviewer want to do a review on it, then I don't see why it shouldn't happen.

If the reviewer had the time, and was willing to do the review then they should continue. But I have no complaints either way. As long as they review the HD's and BR's that get released here I'm happy and so should everyone else. Think of it like this. At least their still reviewing the HD's we get, if they wanted to be butt's they could stop that to. So be happy you still have that.

[project-blu]

I can't say I agree or disagree with this decision. I honestly don't care. The only HD imports I have is 'The Machinist', '1408', and 'Running Scared'. All of them have been reviewed. I've also read all the review on them.

I'm glad they will still be posting the BR imports though. I have a few more of them. 'Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky', 'Thir13en Ghosts', 'Starship Troopers', 'Perfume Story of a Murderer', 'The Recruit', and 'The Island'. Like the HD imports, I've read all the reviews to go with them (the ones posted anyway).

*ahem*....man i've traded/sold you a ton of imports

this news isn't WONDERFUL, but life moves on. more power to 'em. the fact we get import reviews at all, makes me

[RandellG]

*ahem*....man i've traded/sold you a ton of imports

Haha and the only import I ever got rid of was 'Seventh Seal' which was traded to you for the '1408' import and 'Wolf Creek' which sucked.

So my track record with imports is good

[Miracleman]

It's good to hear this has nothing to do with blu-colored ADVERTISING, and the fact that import reviews of HD DVDs kinda go against said advertising. Purple purchases from overseas do not put dollar$ into blu banner pockets.

[Cadrian]

This sucks... I depend on this site for my reviews exspecially imports. I understand not reviewing Import HDDVDs that have Blu-ray released counter parts. You say you will review Domestic HDDVD releases? Whats that the few WB has left to release, which will have Blu-Ray counterparts and usually always have the same transfers minus or plus a audio track or supplemental?

It doesnt make any sense to me considering the only releases HDDVD has left is really all imports. I wish ya'll would give HDDVD more time to die slowly because its still somewhat breathing. Alot of small independent distrubutors will release for a while, I would like to know if my HD investment is worth it. I depend on this site for that infomation. I guess ill have to hope Kannisto keeps doing his impressions. This sucks...

*edit BTW compare the posts on the HDDVD Import subforum to the Blu-ray Import subforum... Seems to be a alot more activity on the HDDVD side of the track.

[Ken Brown]

Ken--I appreciate your clarification regarding this issue and the site traffic. Certainly I didn't mean to imply that overall site traffic is down--I meant the forums. Thanks for pointing that out. As far as "most loyal viewers" I was meaning of course the active participants of the HDD forums. I stand by that statement wholeheartedly.
I have been enjoying both formats for some time now as you know, but just feel badly for the FORUM participants who have been loyal HD DVD supporters for a long time, and who imo deserve to be able to look forward to further import reviews considering the overall state of HD DVD--if only 2 a month. I don't feel that is asking too much, but if it is then I certainly understand. It is indeed a shame if that few people are actually reading these reviews, as I realize the hard work and amount of time that the reviewers put into this work. Maybe HDD could ask which imports members would most like to see reviewed before completely pulling the plug. This might be an avenue that could yield a more deserved response for these important reviews.

Don't worry, I certainly understand where your concern lies and I definitely empathize with your frustration. We'll continue to evaluate the decision and go from there. I definitely appreciate your input and suggestions -- please keep your ideas coming as we're more than open to anything that benefits our overall readership, and our loyal forum participants.

Thanks again for posting instead of just throwing your hands in the air and giving up! It's always great to hear (good or bad) honest feedback and to have people who hold us accountable to all aspects of our decisions.

I would encourage you to start a thread of your most wanted HD import reviews. Attach a forum poll, and get people to vote about which titles they'd still be interested in. While I can't guarantee any results, it would certainly help readers and staff to see how much interest is actually out there for other particular titles.

[Ken Brown]

It's good to hear this has nothing to do with blu-colored ADVERTISING, and the fact that import reviews of HD DVDs kinda go against said advertising. Purple purchases from overseas do not put dollar$ into blu banner pockets.

The only reason you're seeing an abundance of Blu-ray advertising on our site is because there are no HD DVD advertisements being circulated. Why would companies and studios spend money to advertise products they're actively discontinuing?

More importantly, advertising never affects our coverage... it just keeps the site free for our readers. In fact, our editorial staff are given carte blanche when it comes to coverage -- I've never had a single word edited or been asked to change anything based on advertising revenue.

Besides, if that were the case, we wouldn't be firmly commited to covering domestic HD DVD releases (for as long as they continue to be released). As it stands, I'll be reviewing 'Freedom' episodes through the end of the year!

Anyway, I understand your concern. But we're fully commited to keeping bias and studio influence out of our coverage and related decisions.