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Best Buy Offers 2 for $25 Blu-ray Promotion Online

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: High-Def Retailing, Best Buy (all tags)

Best Buy has rolled out a new online only promotional offer for a select batch of Blu-ray titles.

Following the example of its retail cohorts, Best Buy has rolled out a new 2 for $25 Blu-ray promotion.

No word on how long this offer will last, but the lineup includes an eclectic assortment of documentaries, horror films, and sc-fi favorites, including 'Halloween,' 'Total Recall,' and 'Terminator 2.'

The offer is only available online. Check out the full list of 29 titles by clicking here.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


Best Buy Offers $50 Gift Cards To HD DVD Buyers

Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Best Buy, Industry Trends, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

Hoping to help heal the battle scars of the High-Def format war, Best Buy has announced plans to offer $50 gift cards to all customers who purchased HD DVD players before February 23, 2008.

As announced via press release this morning, customers will receive the gift cards for every HD DVD player or HD DVD attachment purchased at Best Buy before the February 23, 2008 cut off date. All told, the company estimates it will distribute more than $10 million dollars in gift cards.

“The DVD format war has divided our customers in a way we haven’t seen since Betamax took on VHS,” said Brian J. Dunn, President and Chief Operating Officer for Best Buy. “Now that the format war is over, we hope these gift cards will reassure our customers that we will help them make a smooth transition into the right technology for their needs.”

Best Buy says it will proactively mail the cards to all customers whom they can determine purchased qualifying equipment. Best Buy Reward Zone members, Performance Service Plans (PSPs) participants, and online customers should expect to receive their gift cards in the mail by May 1. Other customers should have credit card proofs of purchase or Best Buy receipts ready and call (888) BEST BUY.

“The beauty of this offer is that it doesn’t require our customers to give up their HD DVD player,” said Best Buy’s chief marketing officer, Barry Judge. “We know that many people who purchased these players have HD DVD movies that they would like to continue to watch. We’re telling our customers they can keep their players to play these movies as well as their older DVDs and use the $50 to treat themselves to anything else in our stores.”

Customers who want to trade in all of their HD DVD equipment and movie libraries will also have that option. By visiting www.bestbuytradein.com beginning March 21, visitors can get instant estimates regarding the value of their collections, regardless of where they were purchased. If they agree to the estimates, they will then be able to send their items to the Trade-In Center for free by downloading prepaid shipping labels. These customers will also receive payment in the form of an additional gift card.

Further information can be obtained by visiting the Best Buy HD DVD Action Center.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Best Buy Stands Behind Customers By Awarding More Than $10 Million in Gift Cards to HD-DVD Purchasers [Press Release]
Best Buy HD DVD Action Center [Best Buy]

HD DVD Group Responds to Netflix, Best Buy News

Tue Feb 12, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Best Buy, Netflix (all tags)

The HD DVD Promotions Group has issued a statement following a pair of news stories Monday that saw two leading brands in the home entertainment industry endorsing Blu-ray.

The statement (which was first published by CNET late Monday) calls Netflix's decision to exclusively back Blu-ray "unfortunate," while emphasizing that although Best Buy will recommend Blu-ray, the retailer will continue to stock HD DVD.

The complete text of the HD DVD Group's statement follows below:

"We have long held the belief that HD DVD is the best format for consumers based on quality and value, and with more than 1 million HD DVD players on the market, it's unfortunate to see Netflix make the decision to only stock Blu-ray titles going forward. While the Best Buy announcement says they will recommend Blu-ray, at least they will continue to carry HD DVD and offer consumers a choice at retail."

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Best Buy kicks HD DVD while it's down [CNET]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray over HD DVD (Feb 11, 2008)
Netflix Goes Blu-ray Exclusive (Feb 11, 2008)

Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray over HD DVD

Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 04:17 PM ET
Tags: Best Buy, Industry Trends (all tags)

The nation's largest consumer electronics retailer says it will recommend Blu-ray as its preferred high-def format.

According to a just-issued press release, Best Buy says that in endorsing Blu-ray, the company hopes to take a step forward in addressing consumer confusion about high-definition formats

"Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We've listened to our customers, and we are responding," said Brian Dunn, Best Buy's president and chief operating officer. "Our decision to shine a spotlight on Blu-ray Disc players and other Blu-ray products is a strong signal to our customers that we believe Blu-ray is the right format choice for them."

The news amounts to a one-two punch on the heels of this morning's announcement from Netflix that it would drop HD DVD support.

Though Best Buy says it will continue to carry an assortment of HD DVD products, beginning in early March it says it will more prominently showcase and recommend Blu-ray hardware and software products.

"Best Buy has always believed that the customer will benefit from a widely-accepted single format that would offer advantages such as product compatibility and expanded content choices," explained Dunn. "Because we believe that Blu-ray is fast emerging as that single format, we have decided to focus on Blu-ray products."

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Best Buy to Recommend Blu-ray as the Customer's Digital Format Choice [Press Release]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Netflix Goes Blu-ray Exclusive (Feb 11, 2008)

Best Buy to Offer Exclusive 'Justin Timberlake: Live' Blu-ray

Thu Jan 10, 2008 at 03:13 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Sony, Best Buy (all tags)

Mr. SexyBack is headed back to high-def in the Best Buy exclusive Blu-ray release of his HBO concert, 'Justin Timberlake: Live at Madison Square Garden.'

First released by Sony BMG on standard DVD back in November as a Best Buy exclusive, the partnership will continue with the January 29 debut of the Blu-ray edition, marking the first such retailer exclusive for the format.

Extras will mirror those found on the DVD, featuring over 80 minutes of bonus material. In addition to a track-by-track audio commentary by Timberlake, the release includes expanded pre-show and extended backstage footage, the original full-length opening (not seen in the HBO broadcast), "under the stage" footage shot while the concert was taking place, a remixed video version of "SexyBack," and additional interview footage.

Tech specs for the Blu-ray boast 1080p video (1.78:1) and uncompressed PCM audio in both 5.1 and 2.0 configurations.

Retail for the Blu-ray is $34.98.

You'll find disc details for 'Justin Timberlake: Live at Madison Square Garden' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 29, 2008.

We've also set up a dedicated thread for JT's high-def concert debut in our Forums area -- click the following link to discuss the 'Justin Timberlake: Live at Madison Square Garden' Blu-ray release.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Justin Timberlake: Live at Madison Square Garden (Blu-ray)

New 3-For-2 Deal on HD DVDs at Best Buy

Sun Dec 23, 2007 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Best Buy, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

Capping off a holiday season filled with next-gen media sales, Best Buy is offering up one last "buy two get one free" deal on HD DVD discs.

The retailer is advertising a total over 200 qualifying discs (representing the vast majority of HD DVD movies it carries) at prices ranging from $24.99 to 34.99. After the discount, that brings the effective price per disc down to somewhere between $16.00-24.00.

Included among the eligible titles are such top-sellers as 'The Bourne Ultimatum,' 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' and 'Transformers' (click here for the complete list).

The sale is scheduled to run today through next Saturday, December 29, and is being offered both in-store and online.

In another bonus for online shoppers, the retailer is also waiving shipping fees on all orders of HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. (Note that readers have reported that each set of three titles must be purchased as separate transactions in order for the discount to be applied at checkout.)

To discuss these and other HD DVD hardware and software deals, visit the HD DVD Bargains area in our forums area.

Related links:
Buy Two HD DVDs, Get One Free [BestBuy.com]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Bourne Ultimatum (HD DVD)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (HD DVD)
Transformers (2007) (HD DVD)

Sony Blu-ray Player Dips Below $300 Mark (UPDATED)

Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 01:11 PM ET
Tags: High-Def Retailing, Sony, Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City (all tags) UPDATE: Readers are reporting seeing this player priced at just $279 at Costco and Sam's Club. Thus far we've been unable to definitively confirm these reports.

The latest in a series of price drops for high-def players on both sides of the aisle, several retailers have dropped their prices on Sony's BDP-S300 to record-low levels.

The player, which carries a $399 MSRP, is now being sold by Best Buy and Circuit City for just $299. At press time, Amazon.com was offering the player for just $294.

This new price drop comes only a week after the same retailers dropped their prices on Samsung's BDP-1400 Blu-ray player to similar levels (by mid-week, Amazon was selling that model for $270, setting a new low-price record for a Blu-ray player).

According to DisplaySearch data released late last week, Sony led sales of standalone Blu-ray players as of late November by a wide margin, capturing a full 60% of all BD unit sales, followed by Samsung with 37%.

The Sony price reduction would seem to contradict earlier statements by execs at the company, who -- as recently as last month -- said they didn't expect their BD hardware to decline much lower than the $400 level through the holiday season.

To discuss these and other next-gen hardware and software deals, visit the Blu-ray Bargains or the HD DVD Bargains areas in our forums.

(Thanks to everyone who sent in tips related to this story.)

Related links:
Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Player [Amazon.com]
Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Player [BestBuy.com]
Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Player [CircuitCity.com]
Sony, Samsung dominate Blu-ray set-top sales [Video Business]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Samsung Blu-ray Player Hits New Low of $270 (Dec 11, 2007)
$299 Samsung Player Sets New Low Price Record For Blu-ray (Dec 09, 2007)
Sony Plans Blu-ray Player Price Drop (Nov 02, 2007)

Best Buy Goes BOGO For HD DVD, Blu-ray

Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Best Buy, High-Def Retailing (all tags)

In what may be the best next-gen disc offer yet, Best Buy has just kicked off a new 2-for-1 sale that includes a collection of the most sought-after Blu-ray and HD DVD titles currently on the market.

Although "buy one get one free" offers on high-def discs have become almost commonplace this holiday season, this new Best Buy offer is unique in that it includes such newly-released and best-selling titles as 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,' 'Spider-Man 3' and 'Transformers.'

The retailer is advertising a total of 30 qualifying discs (see lists below), at prices ranging from $19.99 to 34.99. After the discount, that brings the effective price per disc down to somewhere between $10.00-17.50.

The sale is scheduled to run today through next Saturday, December 22, and is being offered both in-store and online.

In another bonus for online shoppers, the retailer is also waiving shipping fees on all orders of HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. (Note that readers have reported that each pair of titles must be purchased as separate transactions in order for the discount to be applied at checkout.)

The complete list of titles included in the promotion follows below.

Qualifying Blu-ray discs:
(click here to buy from BestBuy.com)

28 Weeks Later ($29.99)
300 ($29.99)
Are We Done Yet? ($29.99)
The Condemned ($29.99)
Crank ($29.99)
The Departed ($29.99)
Fantastic 4: Rise Of The Silver Surfer ($34.99)
Harry Potter & Order Of The Phoenix Blu-Ray ($32.99)
Hostel: Part II ($29.99)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith ($34.99)
Mr. Brooks ($34.99)
Ocean’s Thirteen ($29.99)
SAW III ($29.99)
Spider-Man 3 ($29.99)
Underworld: Evolution ($29.99)

Qualifying HD DVD discs:
(click here to buy from BestBuy.com)

300 ($34.99)
Arctic Tale ($34.99)
Blades Of Glory ($29.99)
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Departed HD-DVD ($34.99)
Disturbia ($29.99)
Evan Almighty ($19.99)
Harry Potter & Order Of The Phoenix ($32.99)
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry ($29.99)
Knocked Up: Unrated ($19.99)
Mr. Bean’s Holiday ($29.99)
Ocean’s Thirteen ($34.99)
Shooter HD-DVD ($34.99)
Shrek The Third ($29.99)
Transformers ($29.99)

To discuss these and other next-gen hardware and software deals, visit the Blu-ray Bargains and HD DVD Bargains areas in our forums area.

Related links:
Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Select Blu-ray Discs [BestBuy.com]
Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Select HD DVD Discs [BestBuy.com]

Best Buy Offers Three-Disc HD DVD "Starter Packs"

Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Best Buy, High-Def Retailing, Paramount (all tags)

Paramount Studios and Best Buy have partnered to offer a series of discounted three-disc HD DVD "Starter Packs" at Best Buy locations nationwide.

The companies are offering four packs in all, each bundling three previously-released HD DVD titles at a price of $49.99 (that's a 33% savings compared to buying the same three HD DVD movies individually at Best Buy).

The four packs are themed by actor and/or genre, and feature the following movies (click linked movie titles to read our comprehensive reviews of each HD DVD disc):

Pack 1:
Four Brothers
Shooter
Italian Job (2003)

Pack 2:
The Warriors: Ultimate Director's Cut
Aeon Flux
Payback: Straight Up - The Director's Cut

Pack 3:
Anchorman
Blades of Glory
Old School

Pack 4:
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Sleepy Hollow

All four "Starter Packs" have been listed on BestBuy.com with a release date of Tuesday December 11, but members of our forums area have reported already seeing the packs on store shelves this weekend.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
HD DVD Starter Packs [BestBuy.com]

$299 Samsung Player Sets New Low Price Record For Blu-ray (UPDATED)

Sun Dec 09, 2007 at 01:12 PM ET
Tags: High-Def Retailing, Samsung, Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City (all tags)

UPDATE: (Monday, Dec 10, 2007) If you happen to be a Costco member, there are even more savings in store for you. The discount retailer is now offering the same deck mentioned below for only $279.

Several retailers have dropped their prices for Samsung's BD-P1400 to $299, setting a new low price record for a Blu-ray Player.

At press time, the new price had been spotted at such major retailers as Amazon.com, Best Buy and Circuit City, as well as several regional chains.

This latest price cut comes only two weeks after Amazon.com set a previous low-price record with the same player, offering it at $339.

Although HD DVD has long held the low-price advantage over Blu-ray, Samsung's BD-P1400 player is now within $50-$100 of the lowest-priced HD DVD player at the same big three retailers (Toshiba's 1080i HD-A3 HD DVD player).

As we've previously reported, a recent firmware upgrade issued by Samsung for its 1400 player made it the first Blu-ray player to unlock DTS-HD Master Audio.

(Thanks to Paul for the tip!)

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player [Amazon.com]
Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player [BestBuy.com]
Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player [CircuitCity.com]
Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player [Costco.com]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Samsung Blu-ray Player Price Drops to Record Low $339 (Nov 22, 2007)
New Samsung Blu-ray Player Unlocks DTS-HD Master Audio (Sep 27, 2007)


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