Amazon, DVD Empire back Blu-ray

Online retailers to formally endorse the high-def format

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 2/20/2008

FEB. 20 | Online retailers Amazon.com and DVDEmpire.com are the latest dominoes to fall in Blu-ray’s direction.

Both are formally endorsing Blu-ray as their high-definition format choice, one day after Toshiba conceded defeat in the format war by announcing it would soon stop production of HD DVD players. On Toshiba’s heels, Universal Studios Home Entertainment said on Tuesday it is flip-flopping from exclusive HD DVD support to now exclusive Blu-ray backing.

Amazon and DVD Empire are not immediately removing existing HD DVD products that are up for sale. Each Web site continues to have a clearly marked HD DVD software section filled with hundreds of offerings. But both will be publicly supporting the BD format in their merchandising strategies going forward.

“The high-definition landscape is rapidly changing, and consumers are looking for guidance on how to make the best high-definition buying decisions,” said Peter Faricy, VP of movies and music at Amazon. “Our customers have clearly voiced their support for the Blu-ray format. Blu-ray titles have increased from just over half of our high-definition sales to over three-quarters of our high-definition sales since early January. In order to best serve our customers, Amazon is recommending Blu-ray as the preferred digital format and will continue to carry the ‘Earth’s Largest Selection’ of Blu-ray products.”

Still, Amazon recognizes there could be lingering demand for HD DVD titles, as more than 1 million accompanying hardware devices have sold since launch. In a corporate statement, the retailer promised to “continue to carry a wide assortment of HD DVD products, including the broadest selection of HD DVD movie titles.”

Similarly, DVD Empire also is being accommodating to consumers who have found themselves on the losing end of the stick.

“DVDEmpire.com will now be putting its support behind the Blu-ray format,” said Shannon Nutt, the site’s editorial director. “However, we want those who own HD DVD players to know that for the time being, we will continue to fill orders and provide HD DVD titles for those who wish to buy them.”

In the coming weeks, DVD Empire is planning to put its entire HD DVD inventory on sale. It’s not clear the scale of the discounts that will be offered. DVD Empire has likewise not canceled any outstanding orders for still expected HD DVD titles, which include Paramount Home Entertainment’s Bee Movie on March 11.

Amazon has not specified upcoming sales. But the site is a well-established spot to find both Blu-ray and HD DVD software deals.

DVD Empire’s Nutt believes consumer interest in high-definition should grow now that there is only one choice to be had. But the dust from the format war is far from settled.

“We congratulate Blu-ray on winning the format war, and also applaud Toshiba and HD DVD for knowing when to pack it in and not dragging this battle out for any longer than necessary,” explained Nutt. “Blu-ray still has an uphill battle in getting home video consumers on-board with their high-def format, and DVD Empire looks forward in assisting them in their effort to educate and get consumers excited abut Blu-ray and what it has to offer.”