March DVDEmpire Numbers...

[U]

I know these are not as good as Nielsen's numbers so take them with a grain of salt.

BD: 70.55%
HD-DVD: 29.45%

http://www.dvdempire.com/Content/Fea...hidef_wars.asp

With the #2 2006 movie (Night at the Museum) coming out in April and the #1 in May (PoC) both exclusive to BD things are likely to remain the same...

[PrimeBane]

I take them with a BIG grain of salt... these guys do less volume than Amazon.

And don't forget the Matrix in May...

[james99]

Both Pirates movies are selling poorly on Amazon. Both are around the 450 range.

Shockingly bad but I pre-ordered both.

Night is at position 770.

[U]

Strange isn't it. Theater ticket sales and disc sales don't necessarily follow the same trends. One theory is that they cater to different markets. Teenagers go to the theater and adults buy discs... Look at Children of Men, it did poorly in theaters but now it's the best selling HD-DVD disc. I guess the exception to the rule was Casino Royale... "300" is probably going to do well too when it comes out (on both formats I think). It's currently the top 2007 movie.

[U]

Originally Posted by PrimeBane

I take them with a BIG grain of salt... these guys do less volume than Amazon.

And don't forget the Matrix in May...

And if they showed HD-DVD outselling BD would you say the same thing? Be honest now...

As for the Matrix, good point but whatever good it will do for HD-DVD in May it will do to BD as well when it comes out in that format...

[PrimeBane]

Yes, I would... I don't believe they sell enough to be used as a good reference for sales. I find their numbers can mirror that of Amazon and Neilson to a certain extent, but can often be skewed in one direction or the other by minimal sales. Their numbers make for interesting reading, but I'd never base any sort of arguement or fact on them.

I have no doubt that the BD version of the Matrix movies, whenever they might arrive, will have excellent sales, but the right now HD DVD need more help than BD.

[U]

Ok... here are the latest Nielsen numbers I could find...

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/questex/hom032507/

(you have to look inside the book, 2nd page.)

They show a YTD index (as of March 18th) of 100BD and 44.44HD-DVD, which I believe translates into 44.44 HD-DVD's sold for every 100 Blu-Ray. If you take that to the format DVDEmpire uses you come to pretty much the same numbers. I.e., if a store sells 144 discs, 100 will be BD and 44 HD-DVD which is about 70% BD, 30% HD-DVD... Or maybe I misinterpreted the whole thing?

The since inception numbers are closer but BD keeps distancing itself from HD-DVD. (100BD, 84HD-DVD).

[hc666]

I've been checking the dvdmpire numbers as well almost daily and there is a bug... they haven't moved in days it seems and the last time they did it was more like 60-40 for BR.. also they don't have Matrix available for pre-order.

I would go by the amazon numbers! And BR is still doing better on amazon so i'm not downplaying anything Just that no one uses dvdempire to buy their movies and they are missing key pre orders right now.

[Beef]

Neilsen is the credible source for the industry. Amazon, while a lare retailer, is not the pulse of the consumer that they would like you to believe.

With Blu-Ray now pulling sharply ahead of the pack (to the extent where lifetime sales are now exceeding HDDVD) I have a hard time imagining a new consumer opting to purchase HDDVD.

[U]

The only reason I see for a new consumer getting HD-DVD is if they have a 360 and get the add-on... Obviously they are still selling standalone HD-DVD players though... I wonder what their rationale is given the trend in the last quarter?

[KenN]

Well, I can't speak for others, but here's my rationale:

1) Cheapest BD player is a PS3. Can't stand games, don't even want a silly game console in my home, even if it can be used as a BD player.

2) Can't use my Harmony remote with the PS3 cause of the bluetooth issue. Yes, I know you can get some widget that receives an IR signal and converts it to bt for this purpose. Sorry Sony, but I bought the Harmony remote to reduce clutter.

3) Stand-alone HD DVD players cost 1/2 the price of a stand-alone BD player. Oh yah, I know there are some sale prices that bring down the cost of a BD player. Same applies to the HD DVD player!

4) I try to be brand neutral but in some small, perhaps petty way, I just want to see Sony fail.

Kn.

[U]

Thanks for sharing. It's interesting that you didn't consider studio support in your decision though. I agree with you on the PS3... I think it does just fine as a BD player but I would like to be able to use an IR remote as well. When BD standalones become affordable sometime this summer I'll consider getting one.

[KenN]

Studio support was a minor consideration. From my POV, I've got 21 HD DVD now and 2 more on order from Amazon. Haven't yet run out of titles that interest me. There aren't really that many BR-only titles that I'd really like to add to the collection, but admittedly it would be nice to select any HD format title when the ordering bug strikes. Really wish I could watch Casino Royale in HD at home!

I also think the HD DVD studios could do a better job of releasing the Hi Def titles concurrently with matching DVD releases. BR seems to be doing a better job of that, based on my own totally unscientific observations.

When MDG had their deal a few weeks back (299 for PS3 with any computer) I briefly flirted with the idea of going for it, as I'm looking for a cheapo computer for home use and the 299 price point was pretty attractive. However, total hit for PS3 + puter would be about 1k and I just had other places for that kinda money at the time (RSP window!!). That and some pretty bad reviews of MDG as a company pushed the idea out of my head.

So I guess I now know what price point will change my convictions!!

Kn.

[MCI]

Smart move as far as the MDG decision goes, they are the worst.