Just visited my local Virgin Megastores...

[Spidey987]

...and get this, I actually saw a large selection of hi-def media. Not only that but they they had a big end-cap showcasing HD DVD.

Big screen showing (I believe) Planet Earth.

Lots of overpriced HD DVD's underneath. Also (not pictured) a Toshiba catalogue, showcasing over a hundred discs, standalone players and advertising the free 5 HD DVD's deal.

And round the corner was an even bigger selection of discs. In this section, Blu-ray had an identical amount of space, though I didn't snap that.

Best promotion of hi-def media I've seen so far, let's hope other stores take note.

[newTV]

Shame about the prices

[Pecker]

The number of films available on both sides is pretty even - it's good to see thisd reflected in the shelf-space allocation.

Let the public make an informed choice - not one based on an inaccurate perception.

Steve W

[Starburst]

Seriously though, I would be put off if I had to pay those sort of prices for media.

[Rasczak]

Originally Posted by Starburst

Seriously though, I would be put off if I had to pay those sort of prices for media.

Indeed. I think the likes of HMV and Virgin - which I suspect are being squeezed by Supermarkets and online retailers - see the new formats as going back to the heyday of £20 DVDs.

The question is will the public buy into the new formats like they did for DVD? I can't see it myself - I think DVD offered CD style access over clunky VHS whereas High Def is really just a quality jump. But time will tell. Perhaps if people don't buy then there prices will become more realistic - either that or they drop them.

[SG-22]

in store prices are the biggest setback to HD at the moment. those that dont know how gd HD is, will be thinking 'why the hell should i pay £25 for an HD disk when i can get the DVD for £5 in the bargin bin'

the fools

[Pincho Paxton]

I went in GAME and took House Of Wax to part exchange for a new Blu Ray film. Was offered £7 exchange price. When I looked on their shelves at the Blu Ray films, they had about 6. The films were £24, which makes my cost £17. I can buy films for £17 or less on the net, and keep my House Of Wax. So shops are a total waste of time at the moment, and will not survive at this rate.

[Racquel Darrian]

Is that the Bristol store?

[Pecker]

The important thing isn't whether or not you'd buy from the store, but public perception.

If there are no discs on the shelves, Joe Public will not invest in a player.

If there are three times as many BDs, Joe Public will think twice about buying a HD DVD player, even though there are around the same number of films available on both formats.

Getting the formats into the public eye in a fair and equitable way is a good thing.

Steve W

[SG-22]

Originally Posted by Pecker

The important thing isn't whether or not you'd buy from the store, but public perception.

i quite agree. one thing i wish TV stations would stop doing is showing so called high def images (like the ones you get playing in front of sky box office movies) if the average non HD wise person sees that on their non HD TV then of course its not going to persuade than over as there still only watching on an SD feed.

I don’t know the answer, more in store displays maybe. The best kind of display would be a HD-DVD/Blu-ray disk playing side by side with an SD feed (oh and of course play it on a TV that hasn’t been set up by a 12 year old)

[irascian]

Originally Posted by Pecker

The important thing isn't whether or not you'd buy from the store, but public perception.

Steve W

But public perception is VERY clear. "I can't see the difference. Why would I pay £30 instead of £5?"

Remember that most people seem happy to watch widescreen TVS displaying stretched 4:3 pictures. The advantages of high definition just aren't visible enough to justify the ridiculous prices that all these "promotional" stores are displaying.

[fluffrick]

Originally Posted by SG-22

i quite agree. one thing i wish TV stations would stop doing is showing so called high def images (like the ones you get playing in front of sky box office movies) if the average non HD wise person sees that on their non HD TV then of course its not going to persuade than over as there still only watching on an SD feed.

I don’t know the answer, more in store displays maybe. The best kind of display would be a HD-DVD/Blu-ray disk playing side by side with an SD feed (oh and of course play it on a TV that hasn’t been set up by a 12 year old)

We can but dream...the HD media section in the Sheffield Meadowhall branch of Zavvi/Virgin moves around so often that I would have given up looking for it the other night had I not wanted to check out their price on "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"...

[Pincho Paxton]

one thing i wish TV stations would stop doing is showing so called high def images

Should be put under the false advertising act, being as it probably does interfere with the sale of True HD. And the act is there to protect false competition.

[SG-22]

Originally Posted by Pincho Paxton

Should be put under the false advertising act, being as it probably does interfere with the sale of True HD. And the act is there to protect false competition.

you pay the court fees and i'll be there to back you up

[Spidey987]

Originally Posted by Racquel Darrian

Is that the Bristol store?

Indeed it is.