Aussie retailers backing Blu-Ray + misc. thoughts
02-20-07 | 04:31 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Sydney / Australia !!!
Originally Posted by Fincher Fan
Whichever side Village Roadshow chooses here will end the war before it even starts. The fact that major retail chains have already chosen their side will have to force them to be, at the very least, leaning heavily towards Blu-Ray. HD-DVD doesn't have the earlier launch advantage here that the U.S. did and the PS3 is going to be cheapest hi-def player on the market, even beating out the Toshiba machines. I'm a thorough HD-DVD supporter (that digi is a persuasive guy!) but if I was a distributor in our market, I can only see benefit for releasing on BD.
With respect to the 'retail chains' - we are really only talking about JB HiFi. Brazin (Sanity / HMV / Virgin) have zero technology products - they only sell music and videos - and therefore will chose what ever product 'sells' (granted their prices are so close to RRP). EzyDVD is, I'm lead to believe, part of the Brazin group as well - and I can't see their stores selling a title in 3 different 'packagaes'.
The other B&M stores - BigW / Target / KMart - will not consider these HiDef Discs in the short to medium term - as they are already 'plagued' with so much SD DVD stock that is not moving. Their business is mainly in the budget and distributor specials area.
Originally Posted by Fincher Fan
Don't get me wrong, I would like nothing more than for HD-DVD to take off here but the evidence is starting to lean too heavily in favour of BD.
Originally Posted by Fincher Fan
Now that I would be interested in finding out.
Final note : there's been a lot of 'spin' in the local press of late about Blu-ray. News Ltd - with the Sydney Daily Telegraph - ran several stories in its technology sections about the upcoming Blu-ray players. At no stage have they 'promoted' the 'war' between HD-DVD and Blu-ray. WHY ??? I would think its to do with the fact that News Ltd owns FOX - and FOX is only releasing product on Blu-ray. Conspiracy theory ???
here's a small task for you - Fincher Fan - head to your local JB store - and see if you can find the Blu-ray disc stand !! I can tell you the Sydney City store has 'hidden' it and moved it to a wall where the public will not notice.
02-20-07 | 05:00 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Sydney / Australia !!!
This story has been posted from a few sites including this one http://www.crn.com.au/story.aspx?CIID=73372
10% of their floorspace !!!??
What about the current space for CDs, games, DVDs and the rest on PCs, televisions, components, and car stereos ?? 10% devoted to Blu-ray would be an INCREDIBLE amount of space - I wouldnt even guess that stores in the US would be devoting this much !!
As for the statement that 90% of TVs in Australia will be HD ready by 2010......... pigs will fly - we can't even get Aussie Average Joe to spend $50 on a SD Digital Set Top Box.
Blu-ray will be sold to the public as an “experience”, according to Scott Browning, JB Hi-Fi marketing director. It is expected that a marriage of HD displays, powerful surround sound systems and title availability will drive the uptake of the new format. According to projections from GfK, 90% of TVs in Australia are expected to be HDTV-capable by 2010.
Browning expects ten percent of JB Hi-Fi’s floor space to be dedicated to Blu-ray technology in the near future. He also estimated that 200,000 Sony PlayStation 3 consoles (which incorporate a Blu-ray drive) will be sold in Australia by the end of the year.
Browning expects ten percent of JB Hi-Fi’s floor space to be dedicated to Blu-ray technology in the near future. He also estimated that 200,000 Sony PlayStation 3 consoles (which incorporate a Blu-ray drive) will be sold in Australia by the end of the year.
What about the current space for CDs, games, DVDs and the rest on PCs, televisions, components, and car stereos ?? 10% devoted to Blu-ray would be an INCREDIBLE amount of space - I wouldnt even guess that stores in the US would be devoting this much !!
As for the statement that 90% of TVs in Australia will be HD ready by 2010......... pigs will fly - we can't even get Aussie Average Joe to spend $50 on a SD Digital Set Top Box.
02-20-07 | 07:36 PM
#28
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Originally Posted by tonyjg
here's a small task for you - Fincher Fan - head to your local JB store - and see if you can find the Blu-ray disc stand !! I can tell you the Sydney City store has 'hidden' it and moved it to a wall where the public will not notice.
02-21-07 | 08:02 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Sydney / Australia !!!
Originally Posted by Fincher Fan
That's hardly a surprise, I can barely find the new release section when I go into those stores!
HMV Sydney city :
* 3 shelves of HiDef titles - together on small piddly little stand near checkout. 1 shelf of 6-7 Bluray titles. 2 shelves of about 12 HD titles.
Customer observation :
* During lunchtime peak period - about 10-15 mins - with a stack of people looking in shop - number of customers looking at HiDef titles : NIL
MYER Sydney City - Level 7 :
Sony HD LCd 52" - observed by MANY guys - PS3 demo.
Customer observation :
* During lunchtime peak period - stack of guys watching PS3 Demo - with a piddly little Sony Blu-ray disc stand. Number of customers looking at Blu-ray discs : NIL.
Its not looking good IMO
