Amazon Names Blu-ray 'Digital Format of Choice'

Though it will continue to stock movies on both high-def disc formats, Amazon.com said Wednesday that it will more prominently feature Blu-ray hardware and software products on its website.

In a just-issued press release, the web giant said it was making the move in an effort to "help demystify high definition entertainment for consumers."

"The high-definition landscape is rapidly changing, and consumers are looking for guidance on how to make the best high-definition buying decisions," said Peter Faricy, vice president of movies and music at Amazon.com. "In order to best serve our customers, Amazon is recommending Blu-ray as the preferred digital format and will continue to carry the 'Earth's Largest Selection' of Blu-ray products."

Faricy went on to say that Amazon customers had "clearly voiced their support for the Blu-ray format," with sales of Blu-ray movie titles increasing from just over half of high-definition sales to over three-quarters of our high-definition sales since early January.

Though Amazon's statement this morning echoes a similar announcement from Best Buy early last week, the future of the HD DVD format by now is a fait accompli, following primary HD DVD backer Toshiba's announcement Tuesday that it would drop all efforts to produce and market the format.

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