It seems like the next-gen DVD format is officially over. After
in the past six weeks, retailers and movie studios expressed their support for
Blu Ray as the next format of choice, Wal-Mart stepped up to announce that hat
its 4,000 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores will move forward this year with one
hi-definition movie and hardware format: Blu-ray.
For Wal-Mart, the HD DVD is now dead, and the retailer said it
phase out HD DVD offerings and reorganize shelf space.
From June, Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Club will be HD DVD
free zones, selling only only Blu-ray movies and players.
Similar to other companies, Wal-Mart explained its decision was
influenced to the customers. "We’ve
listened to our customers, who are showing a clear preference toward Blu-ray
products and movies with their purchases," said Gary Severson, senior vice
president, Home Entertainment, Wal-Mart, U.S.
"With the customers best interest in all we do, we
wanted to share our decision and timeline with them as soon as possible,
knowing it will help simplify their purchase decision, increase selection, and
increase adoption long term,” he added.
According to Blu-Ray.com, the Blu-ray Disc Association
released a statement, praising Wal-Mart On Blu-ray Exclusivity.
"Retailers have a tremendous impact on consumer
preferences, and as the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart's reach and
leadership are unparalleled. Their decision to support only Blu-ray,
particularly in light of the string of similar announcements from the content
and retail communities over the last six weeks, seems to us to be a very clear
statement that Blu-ray Disc has emerged as the format of choice for high
definition home entertainment," said the BDA US Promotions Committee
chairman Andy Parson.
The Wal-Mart’s announcement marks the end of a two-year war
between Blu Ray and HD DVD for the dominance in the high definition
entertainment market.
In addition, as the war is over, it is interesting to see if
Microsoft, one of the main HD DVD promoters, will replace the external HD DVD unit
for its Xbox 360 with a Blu Ray drive.
During CES, when asked about this issue, a Microsoft official
did not ruled out the possibility of unveiling a Blu Ray drive.
"It should be consumer choice; and if that's the way
they vote, that's something we'll have to consider," Albert Penello, group
marketing manager for Xbox hardware said when asked whether Microsoft would
support a Blu-ray DVD accessory in the event that HD-DVD failed.
