Now there's Target News!!!

[Arkadin]

Target news has been released!!! Target to offer Blu-Ray player during the holidays!! www.sanluisobispo.com/348/story/101449.html

Yeah Sorry It took me a little while to type in the whole thing
I was excited I found it.

[dingus]

Now why does that not surprise me

[balpho]

This post/thread seems lacking in....ummm....news/evidence/anything

[winstonshu]

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20.../APF/707250873

[zombieflanders]

Long story short: Target to only sell BD players.

From AP:

Target Stores To Give Boost To Blu-Ray DVD Format
AP

LOS ANGELES, Jul. 25, 2007 - Target Corp., the nation's second-largest retailer, will start selling a Sony Blu-ray high-definition DVD player during the critical holiday shopping period and feature the player along with DVDs in the format in store displays, dealing a potential blow to the rival HD DVD format.

The move, which the companies will formally announce Thursday, is another step in resolving a format war that has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.

Target will sell the Sony BDP-S300 for $499 in October and display it along with Blu-ray DVDs from three studios, including Sony and The Walt Disney Co., at the ends of store aisles.

The Target announcement came five weeks after a decision by video rental chain Blockbuster Inc. to offer only Blu-ray titles when it expands its high-def offerings this fall.

Blu-ray is backed by Sony Corp., which developed it. Most Hollywood studios are releasing films either exclusively in Blu-ray or together with the rival HD DVD format, which is backed by its developer, Toshiba Corp.

Only Universal Studios, a unit of General Electric Corp., is releasing films exclusively in HD DVD.

Both formats offer a crisper, brighter high definition picture as well as more storage that allows interactive features and games to be packaged with movies.

Consumers have been slow to embrace either format, worried they might get stuck with a losing technology.

Target does not sell high-def DVD players in its stores, although it does sell a Toshiba player for $299 on its Web site.

Target stores do sell an HD DVD add-on for the Microsoft X-Box 360 as well as Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3, which comes with a Blu-ray player built in.

Target would not say why it decided to sell only Blu-ray players. Sony is paying a fee to have their products featured in the end-of-aisle display, called an endcap, although Sony executives said the retailer contacted them about the decision.

"We are not proclaiming one format vs. the other as the preferred consumer technology, and software will continue to be available to our guests in both the Blu-ray and HD-DVD format," Target spokeswoman Brie Heath said.

Target will track customer feedback and adjust offerings as necessary, Heath said.

The HD DVD camp was not fazed by the Target decision, pointing out that HD DVD players continue to outsell Blu-ray players, which are at least twice the cost. They also point out that HD DVD players and DVDs are featured in endcap displays in Circuit City and Best Buy stores.

HD DVD promoters also contend that consumers are more influenced by price than product selection.

"HD DVD players are the most affordable," said Ken Graffeo, co-president of the North American HD DVD Promotional Group. "It's one thing to have a player featured, but it's another if it doesn't sell."

While more titles are available in the Blu-ray format, this fall should provide a head-to-head contest between the two formats.

Two blockbuster films -- "Spider-Man 3," from Sony and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" from Disney -- will be available exclusively on Blu-ray.

The HD DVD camp will be counting on sales of the blockbuster film "300," from Warner Bros., which will be released in both formats, and the first season of the popular sci-fi TV show "Heroes," which will be available exclusively on HD DVD.

[balpho]

Well now there's news lol

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by winstonshu

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20.../APF/707250873

So, it looks like Target will sell a Sony Blu-Ray standalone in-store and also have demo models setup playing Sony/Disney movies. It also sounds like Target will not be selling an HD DVD player in-store. Pretty big news for Blu-Ray since Target is the #2 retailer in the US.

I also wonder if Target will continue to sell HD DVD movies in-store? They seem to indicate they would, but you know HD DVD zealots will start boycotting Target.. This is definitely not good news for Toshiba. Other retailers must be taking notice.

[corduroygt]

I can already see the promotions...
The ONLY way to enjoy POTC/Spiderman on High def - BD player - BD disc bundle..

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

I also wonder if Target will continue to sell HD DVD movies in-store? This is definitely not good news for Toshiba. Other retailers must be taking notice.

There's going to be more news to come in about a month from up here in Canada.

Logan

[winstonshu]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

So, it looks like Target will sell a Sony Blu-Ray standalone in-store and also have demo models setup playing Sony/Disney movies. It also sounds like Target will not be selling an HD DVD player in-store. Pretty big news for Blu-Ray since Target is the #2 retailer in the US.

I also wonder if Target will continue to sell HD DVD movies in-store? This is definitely not good news for Toshiba. Other retailers must be taking notice.

pretty much.

this is tantamount to target saying, "the HD DVD promotional group's numbers be damned, BD is where the player sales are at (longterm?)!"

everyone duck and cover. incoming spin.

here, let me get started for you guys... target is a terrible company and irrelevant. they'll be bankrupt and shuttered within a year!!!!1111!!!

[D3lta]

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20.../APF/707250873

Looks like the new is true. HD DVD = going down.

[Balian]

Its not the big news I was expecting but in the end, its another domino falling ever since the Blockbuster announcement. Will Warmart follow?

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by winstonshu

pretty much.

this is tantamount to target saying, "the HD DVD promotional group's numbers be damned, BD is where the player sales are at (longterm?)!"

everyone duck and cover. incoming spin.

Let me see if I can cover it for them...

Target doesn't matter, just wait for the mythical Chinese buck and a quarter players, your mom goes to college, HD-DVD is my own personal jesus, Bourne Ultimatum will beat the Pirates movie and spider man 3 combined in sales!

I think that just about covers it.

Logan

[corduroygt]

I wonder if VC-1 will say HDDVD is dead again

[ack_bak]

Originally Posted by vooswing

Who will be the first to boycott Target?

I know, I added it to my post as well. I wonder how long Target will support HD DVD movies in-store if people start boycotting them. I also wonder if we might see another major retailer like BB/CC make a similar move (only sell BD players in-store)? There is only so much shelf space available to support two niche formats.