In a move that many HD DVD movie owners can only hope other studios mimic, HDScape offers for a limited time, to exchange HDScape-purchased HD DVD titles for the same title in the Blu-ray format for only $11.95 plus $.99 flat shipping and handling.

“With the demise of HD, many of you will be transitioning to Blu-ray and we don't believe that it is fair to penalize you for buying the HD version,” says the company in instructions to their HD DVD customers. “At the same time, many of you value the HD DVD discs that you own and use the standard definition side of the combo disc in standard DVD players – a feature that is not supported by Blu-ray at this time. This upgrade programme allows you to keep your existing disc – with a twist. You must return the paper casewrap. You must exchange for the same programme that you own. You cannot upgrade to a different title.”

HDScape says it will begin this swap scheme with US customers and, based upon their experience, will determine the best way to handle international customers.

On the hardware side, Edion, which operates 1,000 stores across Japan under various names, announced an offer for any customer who bought HD DVD player from Toshiba to switch for a Blu-ray machine sold by Sony, Panasonic or Sharp. The offer is available only in March, with customers expected to pay any price difference if the Blu-ray machine was more expensive.

As of Friday, six major Japanese electronics retailers – Yodobashi Camera, Kojima, Nojima, Edion, Best Denki and Joshin Denki – had suspended all sales of HD DVD, company officials said. The chains are in talks with Toshiba for the electronics giant to take back its stock either fully or partially.

Some stores, notably the major chain Bic Camera, continue to sell, at a reduced price, HD DVD recorders. HD DVD blank disks are expected to remain on the market.

Story filed 27.02.08