From Wall Street Journal.

WSJ: How important is renting HD-DVD and Blu-ray movies, the two new high-definition disc formats, for Netflix?

Hastings: Tragically small. We have all the titles on HD-DVD and Blu-ray. They're running neck-and-neck, but the total volume is less than 1% of our volume. Consumers want high-def, but the perception of a format war is freezing consumers out. Until that perception stops, very few consumers will try the new high-def discs.

I'd be curious how much less than 1%.

0.5% ? 0.001% ?

Does it really matter? That is abysmal even one percent is terrible. Personally I don't know why there even has to be a war it only hurts the companies involved. I imagine good things and lots of money made if the two companies had developed one format together.

Not terribly surprising as I think the majority of HD disk player owners at this point are more likely to be purchasing titles rather than renting.

Well I would rent .... if there was any place that I could find that isn't a monthly subscription service (read no mail rental service). Dvds of any kind are far too expensive to be buying all the time.

Do you currently own a hi-def player?

If not, you are reinforcing my point. Those who already have a hi-def player are likely able and willing to spend the money in order to purchase the discs.

JohnnyG - Using your own argument that most PS3 owners are unlikely to be video purchasers, perhaps they would benefit most from a substantial rental market...

Well, most PS3 owners just don't seem to be interested at all for whatever reason.

good point johnny... i would suspect that rentals are low because anyone at this point with a player is likely buying the movies. I do rent HD DVD from Zip but I buy even more.

Yes I do own a HD player. Not everyone who owns one is either willing or able to buy movies all the time. I have bills, a mortgage, etc. Not to mention I also enjoy buying comic books and music on a regular basis.

I have only bought 3 HD DVD's - I am renting from Rogers Direct (who uses zip.ca)

I find it excellent so far - have seen about 6 HD DVD this month

I hope I am helping get HD DVD into the Rogers store, though I may continue to use this service anyway, since it is convenient for me