Next-generation DVD format war frustrates retailers

Iria · Jan 8, 2006, 11:01 PM

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Consumers, confused over the brewing battle between next-generation DVD technologies, are not alone: top U.S. electronics retailers at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas called the war "nightmarishly unfriendly" and "stupid."

Stores like Best Buy, Circuit City and closely held CompUSA may sell millions of devices, either HD DVD or its rival, Blu-ray, and some day one version could be obsolete, drawing the ire of their customers. What's more, many will chose not to buy any device, instead waiting for one format to win.

Blu-ray is backed by Sony Corp. and HD DVD is championed by Toshiba Corp. The two technology camps failed to reach a unified technological front, setting the stage this year for a format war like the costly VCR vs. Betamax battle of the 1980s.

"We are frustrated," said Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson on Friday on the sidelines of a panel discussion at CES, the industry's biggest U.S. trade show. "We are going to wind up with some number of consumers probably buying a format that dies, and we are probably going to wind up having to sell it to them. They are not going to be happy with us."

Both Blu-ray and HD DVD backers hope to spark the sagging home video market with new high-definition DVD players and discs, offering greater capacity and interactive features.

"The problem is that what you want is huge penetration into homes as quickly as possible," said CompUSA Chief Executive Larry Mondry. "The Beta-VHS wars lasted 10 years. We are doing it again and we are just stupid as an industry.

"I don't care which way it goes, I just want it to go one (particular) way," he added.
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Read More / Source: Reuters

Jan 8, 2006, 11:01 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Next-generation DVD format war frustrates retailers LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Consumers, confused over the brewing battle between next-generation DVD technologies, are not alone: top U.S. electronics retailers at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas called the war "nightmarishly unfriendly" and "stupid." Stores like Best Buy, Circuit City and closely held CompUSA may sell millions of devices, either HD DVD or its rival, Blu-ray, and some day one version could be obsolete, drawing the ire of their customers. What's more, many will chose not to buy any device, instead waiting for one format to win. Blu-ray is backed by Sony Corp. and HD DVD is championed by Toshiba Corp. The two technology camps failed to reach a unified technological front, setting the stage this year for a format war like the costly VCR vs. Betamax battle of the 1980s. "We are frustrated," said Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson on Friday on the sidelines of a panel discussion at CES, the industry's biggest U.S. trade show. "We are going to wind up with some number of consumers probably buying a format that dies, and we are probably going to wind up having to sell it to them. They are not going to be happy with us." Both Blu-ray and HD DVD backers hope to spark the sagging home video market with new high-definition DVD players and discs, offering greater capacity and interactive features. "The problem is that what you want is huge penetration into homes as quickly as possible," said CompUSA Chief Executive Larry Mondry. "The Beta-VHS wars lasted 10 years. We are doing it again and we are just stupid as an industry. "I don't care which way it goes, I just want it to go one (particular) way," he added. ___________ Read More / Source: Reuters