Happy WB 85th: HD DVD Player Returns Outnumber New Stock

[Hi i'm God]

You mean like Toshiba lying about standalone sales and attach rates? Or like Microsoft employees lying about Blu-ray replication? Or the same employees lying about Blu-ray specifications? Or like Microsoft consultants being paid to write anti-BD hit pieces for major magazines?

For real. The hypocrisy is astounding.

[outherealone]

Well, if your new stock is 0 like at my local CC (no they didn't stop selling them) 1 returned HD DVD player = more returned than new instock....

[hdinred]

You do realize Bill Hunt was never "called out" by the NPD. They confirmed his data, just said he shouldn't post it.
Well, thanks to paid and admitted Microsoft & Toshiba consultants doing the same thing for two years, I figure it's karma!

He said the data was because of WB's decision. They [the NPD] said it was because of free players given away with TVs. So which is it? Was he clueless, did he make a mistake or was he flat out lying?

[475nm]

It’s funny they would invoke Amazon.com when talking about HD DVD returns. They still can’t get a Blu-ray player to rank higher than an HD DVD player on Amazon.

Funny - looks like both the Panasonic BD30 and the Samsung 1400 are ranking higher than any HD DVD player on this page. The fact that this page seems to bear no resemblence to their hourly updated bestseller list just goes to show that amazon "bestselling" means very little indeed.

[hdinred]

Funny - looks like both the Panasonic BD30 and the Samsung 1400 are ranking higher than any HD DVD player on this page. The fact that this page seems to bear no resemblence to their hourly updated bestseller list just goes to show that amazon "bestselling" means very little indeed.

We all know that view is not the correct view of acutal best sellers, sales ranking is. On that vew, discontinued products sometimes apper before current ones.

[bluskiessmingatme]

Hey, I'm excited about the Batman Anthology and How the West Was Won being on Blu-ray. I wonder if it will be the first four Batman films, or will it include Batman Begins, too?

[hdinred]

You mean like Toshiba lying about standalone sales and attach rates? Or like Microsoft employees lying about Blu-ray replication? Or the same employees lying about Blu-ray specifications? Or like Microsoft consultants being paid to write anti-BD hit pieces for major magazines?

So, you’re admitting this story is BS, but you think it’s OK because Microsoft and Toshiba are guilty of the same thing?

[zombieflanders]

No, I'm saying you're a hypocrite by claiming this is a BDA conspiracy. I believe this story is fairly accurate.

[snp]

He said the data was because of WB's decision. They [the NPD] said it was because of free players given away with TVs. So which is it? Was he clueless, did he make a mistake or was he flat out lying?

Have to know more about the numbers. How many of the extra bump was free players? What would be the expected number for that week sans Warners (i would have thought coming down from Christmas, it would a decent sized drop)? What were the specifics of the deals - it's entirely possible the deals were made more compelling/taken up with a greater relish by customers, to some extent on the back of mainstream coverage of Warners move..

I don't think he 'made a mistake' or 'was flatout lying' in giving the numbers and pointing at Warners. (including for HD DVD's precipitous drop). He should have provided greater detail of extenuating circumstances to also be considered (if he knew them?), but beyond that his biggest no-no was simply releasing them at all, not dressing them up.

Although, i gotta say some of those articles doing the rounds with NPD being quoted to sound like they were speaking words which were actually coming out of Toshiba sales reps mouths were more distasteful imo than Bill Hunts analysis.

[hdinred]

No, I'm saying you're a hypocrite by claiming this is a BDA conspiracy. I believe this story is fairly accurate.

How am I a hypocrite? Where did I defend Microsoft or Toshiba? BS is BS, no matter which side produces it. No matter what Toshiba & Microsoft did in the past, this story is very questionable. A biased source produces a carefully worded article. Considering Bill Hunt’s recent lies (which I guess he’ll pretend were honest mistakes) and other BDA tactics (free movies = sales) the fact that the author won’t back up his sources is very questionable. Don’t post it if you’re not going to stand behind it.

[zombieflanders]

Considering Bill Hunt’s recent lies (which I guess he’ll pretend were honest mistakes)

Why pretend? He didn't lie.

and other BDA tactics (free movies = sales)

AKA, the same tactic HD DVD has been using.

[hdinred]

Why pretend? He didn't lie.
AKA, the same tactic HD DVD has been using.

Intentionally leaving out details that totally change the point of what you’re saying is lying.

Boasting about standalone player sales and not disclosing that a majority of them were given away for free is a lie if you ask me.

[Ben]

......Boasting about standalone player sales and not disclosing that a majority of them were given away for free is a lie if you ask me.

They were not given away free. They were "bundled" with
the purchase of a HDTV television that were marked up
to cover the cost. That's a marketing tactic that has
been used time and again. The UPC was still scanned
and the amount was zeroed out as a promotion. It's a sale
and inventory was reduced.

Now stop parroting the bullshit and blamming Bill Hunt
for the demise of HD DVD. Consumers made a choice
as indicated by the sales each and every week, and
continue to do so. Studios and CE's daily expand
the choice consumers have made.

This is a Happy 85th Birthday thread for Warner
Bros. as indicated by the press event. Universal
and Paramount are free to have a press event
also. Maybe they'll announce "American Ganster"
again, again, again

[bigboar]

Has Bill ever recanted his article abou Circuit City dropping HD DVD?

Why pretend? He didn't lie.
AKA, the same tactic HD DVD has been using.

[Chief]

http://www.hollywoodinhidef.com/blog_detail.php?id=170

OUTRIGHT LIE...........