The big blue big-box retailer has decided Blu is the way to go. Blu-ray, that is, and that’s what Best Buy will be peddling more prominently beginning next month in-store and online, and recommending to consumers as the choice when it comes to high-definition DVDs.

A company press release says Best Buy is “taking a step forward in addressing consumer confusion about high-definition formats.” Looks like it won’t be long now before there is no more confusion.

Seems to be a good time to ride the Blu-ray tidal wave, now that online movie rental giant Netflix also decided to go Blu-ray (and in-store rental giant Blockbuster went down that road a while ago).

“Consumers have told us that they want us to help lead the way. We’ve listened to our customers, and we are responding. Best Buy will recommend Blu-ray as the preferred format,” 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.”

Dunn continued, “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. Because we believe that Blu-ray is fast emerging as that single format, we have decided to focus on Blu-ray products.”

There were no specifics about any hardware or software sales to accompany this push to Blu-ray (the cheapest one listed on the Best Buy website is $399), but we’re keeping our fingers crossed—especially those of us who grabbed HD DVD players last holiday season on mega-sale.

Read the entire press release here.

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!