I don't know if you've heard this or not but I thought I'd mention it anyway.
The entertainment giant that is Blockbuster has officially released Blu-Ray as it's format choice.
A statement released confirms that 1,450 of its 1,700 American stores are to begin (or have already begun) only stocking Blu-Ray format disks, the choice of Sony's PS3 console.
This is a real kick in the teeth for HD-DVD, which is supported by Microsofts 3rd Gen console (XBOX 360).

The following is the official statement released by Blockbuster:
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Blockbuster to Expand Blu-Ray to 1,700 Stores
Company will continue to offer HD DVD titles online and in select number of stores

DALLAS, June 18 -- In response to the growing demand for high-definition DVDs, Blockbuster Inc. ( NYSE: BBI ) ( NYSE: BBI.B ) today announced that it is rolling out an expanded Blu-ray disc inventory for rental to 1,700 corporate-owned BLOCKBUSTER stores by mid-July. The Company will continue to offer both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles through its online rental service, http://www.blockbuster.com/, and will continue to offer both formats at its initial 250 stores that currently carry both high-definition formats.

"We intend to meet the demands of our customers and based on the trends we're seeing, we're expanding our Blu-ray inventory to ensure our stores reflect the right level of products," said Matthew Smith, SVP Merchandising for Blockbuster. "While it is still too early to say which high-definition format will become the industry standard, we will continue to closely monitor customer rental patterns both at our stores and online, so we can adjust our inventory mix accordingly and ensure that Blockbuster is offering customers the most convenient access to the movies they want, in the format they want."

When Blu-ray and HD DVD were introduced to the marketplace in 2006, Blockbuster began offering the high-definition formats on all titles in which it was available through blockbuster.com. The Company also introduced both formats on select titles in 250 stores in November of 2006. With Blu-ray rentals significantly outpacing HD DVD rentals at its BLOCKBUSTER stores, the Company made the decision to expand the number of stores offering the Blu-ray format.

With the expansion in July, the 1,700 stores will be carrying more than 170 titles in Blu-ray and will continue to add titles in the format as they are released from the studios.

"We are excited to be able to make more high-definition titles available to our customers in those stores where our research indicates there will be the most demand," said Smith. "Obviously, when customers are ready we can expand the Blu-ray offering into more stores and add HD DVD to more locations if that's what customers tell us they want. We'll continue to work with the movie studios to ensure we have the right assortment of products."

Blu-ray formatted titles are available from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment, FOX Home Entertainment, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Warner Home Video, and Paramount Home Entertainment and can be played on Blu-ray dedicated players, Sony PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) or a Blu-ray compatible computer drive.

About Blockbuster

Blockbuster Inc. is a leading global provider of in-home movie and game entertainment, with more than 8,000 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.
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Blockbuster have confirmed that they will still offer HD-DVD in some of its stores and online, but it certainly looks like Blu-Ray is beginning to take presedence in this next-generation entertainment format wars.

We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of everything related to Sony's consoles, including the Blu-Ray format.

Keep checking back for more info and updates.

Jay
Site Squad

Right on the heels of this story comes a very bad rumbling from Blu-ray disc consumers. Please read the following if you are planning on buying a Blu-ray movie anytime soon.

Here is a quote from Engadget:

"A thread over at the AVS Forums has highlighted a potential problem with the coating of Blu-ray discs, described by many as "disc rot" due to the mold-like spots that have made several owner's Blu-ray discs unplayable. The five page thread has reports from dozens of forum members, many of them discovering spots which can't be rubbed off on Blu-ray versions of "The Prestige." It's impossible to judge how widespread the problem is from a single forum thread, although it's not unheard of to see a product recall after a problem is discovered by users on a forum. It's also worth noting that for every user that has reported the spots, there's one or more people with discs that have no problem. If you've encountered the same issue, your best policy is to try and get a refund / replacement disc from the place where you originally bought it from. If enough people are reporting a problem, then retailers will be a much stronger voice than a bunch of consumers sounding off in the echo chamber that is "the internet.""

And here is a picture of a scary image that, supposedly, details this matter:


If this does happen to be true, we MAY have a problem on our hands. People are commenting that this is only happening to a select few Blu-ray movies. The number one disc reported with this problem is "The Prestige".

The picture seems to show very clearly the problem. The issue is being highly contested on the official Blu-ray forums, most people are calling it fake, saying that could be any old disc, with paint splattered on it. Could be, I don't know for sure. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if this problem grows to the point of where Sony comments on it. Scary stuff...

"Dave Karraker of Sony has posted a direct reply to my message.

The following is directly from Dave Karraker of Sony:
"We have heard about this issue. It actually affects a very small batch of 'The Prestige'. People who bought the disc can contact the manufacturer, Disney, for a replacement."

Wow, that was fast! Thanks for asking him about that. So Disney did this huh? Jerks.

That's good to hear, that it is an isolated incident. Luckily, I've only bought one Blu-Ray so far, and it isn't "The Prestige".

Good to hear that Blu-Ray has recieved a much needed boost by Blockbuster.
This whole bug thing scares me a little .
Yeah, its good to know its an isolated incident. Hopefully it wont happen again.
Disney are a bunch of Kids if you ask me.

Crap joke i know.

PS. Its good to know the officials at Sony are answering consumer questions/queries. Thats a great thing about the Blog. Go Sony.