Chesty Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Media, retailers and technology analysts gathered in Sydney this morning for the official Australian launch of Blu-ray. Naturally the Australian Blu-ray Working Group talked up the format's prospects, but Screen Play was surprised at JB Hi-Fi's glowing endorsement and refusal to stock rival HD-DVD. "Blu-ray is the only format that has the ability to tell the whole story, with the most comprehensive offering on the market," says Marketing Director Scott Browning. "With seven of Hollywood's leading studios accounting for the vast majority of 2006's home video sales, among the 170 plus companies globally that support Blu-ray Disc, it makes sense that content will be king when it comes to Blu-ray. "Indeed this is the reason that we have decided to only stock Blu-ray products at JB Hi-Fi. The range of exciting new film and TV releases as well as the potential back catalogue means that we can deliver everyone's favourite films on Blu-ray." Lifted from The Age website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewW Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Screen Play was surprised at JB Hi-Fi's glowing endorsement and refusal to stock rival HD-DVD. Here is my letter to the head office of JB HiFi. Dear Sir/Madam,I am, or should that be was, a loyal customer of your stores. For years I have purchased software, DVDs and other electronic gadgets from your stores. Your decision to refuse to carry HD DVD players or software has caused me to rethink my buying decisions, and therefore I will no longer be frequenting your stores. I am exactly the sort of person that you do not want to lose as a customr. I am (relatively) young, have a high disposable income, and like to spend my money on games/DVDs. Yours Sincerely, Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Altair Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Geez I love JB-HI-FI. Bing Lee is also Pro Blu-ray. Come to think of it Harvey Norman can't stop plugging Blu-Ray too. Does HD-DVD have in supporters in Australia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewW Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Does HD-DVD have in supporters in Australia? Its a little hard to tell seeing as the players all sold out before they even hit the shelves ... But don't worry, I'm sure you won't have any problem picking up an overpriced Blu Ray player, I'm certain there will be plenty of them collecting dust on the shelves. Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesty Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 All quality suppliers that bunch, you're more likely to get more assistance at Go Lo, sorry to be the bearer of bad news DB but Hardly's will also be stocking the 360 add on, can't speak for Bing's as here in Vic we are fortunate not to have them. yorac you shop at my local JB i see.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesty Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Yeah I'm in Berwick mate Same... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davep Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Here is my letter to the head office of JB HiFi. Where did you send the email to? I'll be sending a similar one also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Smee Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Here is my letter to the head office of JB HiFi. It would be interesting to read their reply, if any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolutezero Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 What's the email address. Post it here so we can all send them our thoughts. I can't see it lasting long, with the 360 add-on drive coming out soon they would be mad not to stock any titles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesty Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Have to arrange a GTG for some of the guys from Melbourne at some stage sounds good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Smee Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Geez I love JB-HI-FI.Bing Lee is also Pro Blu-ray. Come to think of it Harvey Norman can't stop plugging Blu-Ray too. Does HD-DVD have in supporters in Australia? Ouch You certainly know how to hit below the belt. But it looks like you may be right. Who does support HD-DVD in Oz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolutezero Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Ouch You certainly know how to hit below the belt. But it looks like you may be right. Who does support HD-DVD in Oz? HMV is stocking HD-DVD, checked out what they had last night. Had about 10 or so titles so far, and about 4 blu rays. Plus all of the online stores. My order shipped from EzyDVD. I wonder if the Screen Play will announce that JB is stocking HD-DVD titles in 3 weeks time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesty Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 And that is pretty well what the guy at JB said to me today The few guys i have spoken to at JB Fountain gate had no idea about HD DVD. They pointed me towards an HD STB!! Just shows it depends on who you talk to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesty Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 HMV is stocking HD-DVD, checked out what they had last night. Had about 10 or so titles so far, and about 4 blu rays. Plus all of the online stores. My order shipped from EzyDVD. I wonder if the Screen Play will announce that JB is stocking HD-DVD titles in 3 weeks time? The only prob with HMV is that they are a rip off and everyone knows it. Not dissing HD DVD with that remark either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mining Man Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 ... Who does support HD-DVD in Oz? No-one important, only the consumer!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foggy Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 EzyDVD are also stocking HD DVD, so is DVD Station. JB Hifi are sluts. They will sell whatever will make them money, if the shelf space is wasted because BluRay titles aren't moving, they quickly throw something else in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesty Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Not having a go at you Alfred but what support does BR have, hardware support yes from the prior mentioned, but go out and try and buy a BR movie even from JB and you will find you can't, once again some idealistic posturing going on.I deal with 2 or 3 specialist hi fi stores who cannot get their hands on any product because their is virtually none here. Yorac i think you will find no probs getting BR from JB now. JB Lonsdale St has quite a few as do some others. I was in there today and they have all titles available in Oz so far and are expecting quite a number between now and the PS3 launch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jokiin Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 JB Hifi are sluts. They will sell whatever will make them money, if the shelf space is wasted because BluRay titles aren't moving, they quickly throw something else in there. Absolutely, at a guess I would say they might not have access to the players (do they sell Toshiba now??) and have no need to talk it up until they get the Xbox add on or some other player, at the moment they would be wanting to shift Blu-Ray as it's in stock and would be talking it up. They'll end up doing HD DVD sooner or later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesty Posted February 14, 2007 Author Share Posted February 14, 2007 Then that is good to see as those who have/are purchasing the format should be able to purchase (get ripped off) locally Agree with getting ripped off. Some more info: Speaking at the official launch of Blu-ray in Australia by the Australian Blu-Ray Disc Working Group, JB Hi-Fi marketing manager Scott Browning said Blu-ray technology and discs would be the only high-definition format the chain would support, apart from selling drive units for the Xbox 360 console which will support the rival HD-DVD format. He said 10 per cent of the floor space at the chain's stores would be devoted to Blu-Ray technology and titles by the year's end. He predicted this would probably increase to 30 per cent by Christmas 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevyn72 Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Maybe we should start a program of getting forum members to wander into every JB store they come across and enquire about HD DVD. Just wave a $50 note around saying "I want to buy XYZ HD DVD" "What you don't stock them?" While still waving the $50 note. Then just shrug your shoulders and say "Oh well, I'll just have to spend this somewhere else....." When they try and stop you and steer you towards BluRay you say, "BluRay? What's BluRay? I don't need any shampoo!" and walk out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davep Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 a $50 note probably wont get them too excited, maybe asking them if you could buy the Toshy player and wandering out when they dont have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewW Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Where did you send the email to? I'll be sending a similar one also. They don't list an email address on their (seriously crappy) website. They also don't list an address for their head office. I will be sending the letter to my two local JB Hifi stores. Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Smee Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Not having a go at you Alfred but what support does BR have, hardware support yes from the prior mentioned, but go out and try and buy a BR movie even from JB and you will find you can't, once again some idealistic posturing going on.I deal with 2 or 3 specialist hi fi stores who cannot get their hands on any product because their is virtually none here. Why do you buy discs from hi-fi specialists? Maybe we should start a program of getting forum members to wander into every JB store they come across and enquire about HD DVD.Just wave a $50 note around saying "I want to buy XYZ HD DVD" "What you don't stock them?" While still waving the $50 note. Then just shrug your shoulders and say "Oh well, I'll just have to spend this somewhere else....." When they try and stop you and steer you towards BluRay you say, "BluRay? What's BluRay? I don't need any shampoo!" and walk out! I'll do this ASAP, but I'll wave around my expired credit card. I wish to look like a tosser too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absolutezero Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 They don't list an email address on their (seriously crappy) website.They also don't list an address for their head office. I will be sending the letter to my two local JB Hifi stores. Andrew. I rang up my local store, Highpoint, and asked them when HD-DVD titles are coming in stock over there, and he said they had no plans and are Blu-Ray exclusive. What sort of a hi-fi store goes exclusive? It's the most retarded thing I've ever heard, unless they were paid off big time. Why sell one, when you can sell both? They'll just drive customers to other stores, utterly stupid. My money is now solely going to stores that are not exclusive, and will not spend one more $1 in a JB store until they grow up and treat their customers with respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewW Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 My money is now solely going to stores that are not exclusive, and will not spend one more $1 in a JB store until they grow up and treat their customers with respect. Exactly. What gives them the right to dictate which format I can buy ? Vote with your money people, but also make sure you let them know that you are doing it. Andrew. ps: I have no doubts that Sony are giving them 'incentives' to go Blu-Ray only, but I wonder how long their lack of HD DVD support will really last once they realise they are losing sales ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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