The latest NPD numbers shows HD DVD gaining back some of the lost market share in the week ending January 19th. (http://www.dvdtown.com/news/hd-dvd-gain-in-market-share-after-huge-drop/5172)

Not surprising with the slashed prices. This percentage is likely closer to the new norm. I wonder if there were any Blu-ray promotions with TV's + players for a set price still going on for that week.

I see posts like this though

Now, I have HD-XA1, HD-XA2, HD-A30, and XBox 360 Add-on HD DVD drive. I think that's one from every generation.

I own 4 players,just added an XA2,and trying to figure out how to get the wife to ok a A35

There seem to be a lot of people picking up extras. I wonder how many of the 34% is new software-buying customers?

The come back begins!

-Mike

Some more detailed numbers to go with that article...

Here's how the specific unit sales numbers looked for the week ending 1/19...

Blu-ray Disc - 16,496 units
HD-DVD - 8,639 units

So it would certainly appear that Toshiba's price cutting has at least contributed to a modest rebound in the number of HD-DVD units moved, though sources are telling us that Blu-ray earned approximately 83% of all the actual dollars spent on high-def players for the week. Here are those totals...

Blu-ray Disc - $6,033,540
HD-DVD - $1,182,248

Source: http://www.thedigitalbits.com/

I'm shocked that the Digital Bits is actually running negative HD DVD news :o

I don't see this as a new trend. We will see in the coming weeks but I expect BD to slowly widen it's gap again. It is quite amazing that a $150 player (almost free) is being outsold 2:1 by $400 players.

I also don't expect these HD-DVD sales to impact software sales as many are being bought as either a 2nd player or mainly as a upconverting player.

The price drop occurred only on that very week (and started on a Sunday), so I doubt that's enough time to get the word out there and truly gauge the impact. Sales numbers for the next several weeks should be more telling.

Sales numbers for the next several weeks should be more telling.

I agree. Although I believe HD-DVD hardware numbers will retreat again.

I never understand those numbers. They indicate that Blu-ray is killing HD-DVD, yet I've never seen a standalone Blu-ray player outside of an electronics store.

Where do you expect to see them?

...in the homes of people I know. Among my circle, HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray is probably about 20:0. A few of them do have PS3s...

...in the homes of people I know. Among my circle, HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray is probably about 20:0. A few of them do have PS3s...
Blu-Ray fans do not mix well with HD-DVD fans. Quod erat demonstrandum.

I don't see this as a new trend. We will see in the coming weeks but I expect BD to slowly widen it's gap again. It is quite amazing that a $150 player (almost free) is being outsold 2:1 by $400 players.

The numbers don't necessarily show $400 players outselling $150 players. As made clear from the numbers a week prior, BD players bundled with HDTVs are included in the units sold total. With the Super Bowl coming up, it's prime HDTV season, so those bundles have an impact on the numbers.

That said, I'm not sure how/if the bundled players are included in the dollars total...here's the average selling price of the players, based on the above numbers:
BD players: $365.75
HD DVD players: $136.85

Anyway, units sold numbers from the coming weeks should be interesting.

I've noticed that Toshiba was bundling their player with LG. BD players will always have more bundle potential due to the number of hardware providers on the BD side. This is not going to change so I don't know why this needs to be separated out.

These numbers show that BD's strategy of higher prices with greater hardware vendor support would make the difference in the long run. This is now being played out.

At this point, it's one or the other:
- $400 players outselling $150 players (as you posted above)
or
- HDTV bundles with "free" BD players (spike in HDTV sales in the lead-up to the Super Bowl)

In a couple weeks the "seasonal" effect of the Super Bowl pushing HDTV sales will be removed, so we'll be able to see if the first statement is true. NPD stats could be exactly as they were last week, BD could widen their lead, or HD DVD could close the gap somewhat.

Point is, numbers in the coming weeks should be more telling as they'll separate out those factors.

As a side note, Blu-ray standalone players outsold HD DVD ones by about 60:40. This was before the Warner switch to Blu-ray. I would be very surprised if they were able to go back to any higher than that on a consistent basis. And of course there is the PS3 on top of that.

If HD DVD is to have any chance at a comeback they need to actually be selling more players than Blu-Ray.

I can't believe any HD DVD supporter would be happy with these numbers. Also factor in the fact that more people pick the expensive BD players and the picture is pretty clear: Toshiba and HD DVD's last (?) strategy is not working.

And let's not even mention that a lot of people pick the PS3 as a player knowing that it's profile 2.0 upgradeable.

It's all over but the crying...

Agreed that things look over...but let's not read things that aren't necessarily there. As I already mentioned, the Super Bowl is driving HDTV sales (as it traditionally does). BD players aren't driving HDTV sales, the Super Bowl is. Where would HDTV sales be without the Super Bowl? Where would BD player sales be without the Super Bowl? That's what we'll find in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, we can't conclude that more expensive BD players are outselling HD DVD players. Simply not enough info. Simply too early to conclude that Toshiba's pricing strategy isn't working.

Now, as darrylr pointed out, BD standalones did outsell HD DVD standalones in December. Question is, what effect will Toshiba's new pricing have? Again, some in this thread are concluding that Toshiba is done because $150 players are being outsold by $400 players. Let's see what February tells us...

(side note: a few years back, post Super Bowl weeks resulted in more HDTV returns than any other time of year. Anyone know if that's been the case in recent years?)

BD players bundled with HDTVs are included in the units sold total

My understanding was that that promotion was over. Do we have any evidence either way on whether those promotions were still on going in this data?

My guess is that there will be a spike of HD DVD players at the new price as current owners pick up back up machines etc and then the numbers will fade. The problem for HD DVD now is that the world is collectively stepping on their air hose. It's easy not to be feeling the love right now if you are a red fan.

And why is it thew PS3 can't be counted as a BD player because it isn't marketed as one but HD DVD player are counted as HD DVD players when they are marketed as up converting DVD players? The split should really be 100:0.

though sources are telling us that Blu-ray earned approximately 83% of all the actual dollars spent on high-def players for the week. Here are those totals...
Blu-ray Disc - $6,033,540
HD-DVD - $1,182,248
Key numbers. Penetration is one thing, actual dollars is quite another.
We've seen Curcuit City sell the A3 for $100. Talk about a loss leader!