HD DVD and Blu-ray releases on August 7th, 2007
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Aug 6th 2007 at 11:11AM
Any week is going to look slow compared to last week, but at least we have a few day-and-date releases including Disturbia and TMNT, which are available on both formats. Blu-ray has one exclusive day-and-date release from Sony with Are We Done Yet, but we doubt anyone's calling home about that one. Overall August is going to be another slow month of Summer releases, but both camps look like they're cranking up for the fall.HD DVD 267 vs Blu-ray 277.
Blu-ray
- Are We Done Yet? (Sony)
- Arlington Road (Sony)
- Disturbia (Paramount)
- Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Sony)
- TMNT (Warner)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
andres @ Aug 6th 2007 11:28AM
your hd-dvd and blu-ray release count is off. Needs to be corrected.
Ben @ Aug 6th 2007 11:29AM
How do you figure?
We only count movies currently available in the US market, minus adult titles.
Xyzzy @ Aug 6th 2007 11:39AM
"How do you fihure?"
Well, last week you had these numbers: HD DVD 265 vs Blu-ray 272.
This week you have these numbers: HD DVD 259 vs Blu-ray 272.
So HD DVD lost 6 movies and BD didn't gain any this week? :)
Ben Drawbaugh @ Aug 6th 2007 11:42AM
Not sure how I managed to do that, thanks for the correction.
andres @ Aug 6th 2007 11:39AM
hey ben
Here you go.
on july 31th you posted that blu-ray had 272 where as hd-dvd had 265
now you post that blu-ray has the same 272 while hd-dvd went down to 259 even though there were relases on both sides.
there you go.
Xyzzy @ Aug 6th 2007 11:56AM
I still think there should be a mention on the ability to import HD DVDs from anywhere in the world since the format has no region coding. But I realize that would be a mark against Sony, and you don't want to bite the hand that feeds you.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=855923
Segarsj @ Aug 6th 2007 1:17PM
I totally agree about the foreign releases.
Ben, at the very least, would it be too much to ask for you to keep a separate tally for international releases? I personally don't think so. The only reasonable excuse you can possibly come up with is that it would take too much time, but if you simply took a glance at this site (http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com) you would certainly have your work cut out for you.
So why not? It would be a great help to those HD DVD users out there who are oblivious to the fact that they can import a number of films (The Prestige, T2, Pan's Labyrinth, Total Recall, Band of Brothers, and many more) from the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Japan.
KC @ Aug 6th 2007 1:38PM
Because HD-DVDs are already more expensive then Blu-Ray disks because HD-DVD forces you to buy the regular DVD along with the HD-DVD in their combo format that almost every HD-DVD is released in exclusively.
HD-DVD - cheaper players
Blu-Ray - cheaper disks
Why would I want to pay an even bigger premium to import a movie over the already exaggerated disk prices of HD-DVD when I can probably just buy it on Blu-Ray anyway and pay allot less for the movie.
Toshiba seems to be taking the 'razor + Blades' approach with HD-DVD. Buy this cheap player that sounds like a really good deal, but we'll get you later when you want to buy content.
Blu-Ray players are not as cheap - but at least the companies making them are making a profit off them - and the disks are only a couple bucks more or in many cases now exactly the same price as the vanilla DVD version for new releases.
There is good points and bad point no matter what format you support. I just want one to win so that all movies are released in HD and prices come down on everything because every electronics manufacturer and every movie studio out there produces for the one winning HD disk format.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Aug 6th 2007 12:58PM
@ Xyzzy:
True, there should be a Barry Bonds "*" next to the HD-DVD count xP
Segarsj @ Aug 6th 2007 1:04PM
I definitely agree with regard to the region free comment.
Ben, at the very least, do you think you would be able to list the international HD DVD releases on the same page, but have them count towards a separate total? The only excuse I could imagine you coming up with is that it would require too much work/time, but if you simply pop over to this site (http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com) you will find that you have your work cut out for you. They do a fantastic job with posting international release information, but they simply don't have quite the readership that Engadget has.
This would be a great help to those people who are oblivious to the fact that they can easily import any number of quality films (The Prestige, T2, Total Recall, Pan's Labyrinth, Band of Brothers and many more) from the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Japan.
So why not help spread the news about the lack of region encoding?
Ben Drawbaugh @ Aug 6th 2007 1:18PM
Seems like alot of work, and I wouldn't want to start something only to stop because of the lack of interest.
Also I think the lack of region coding isn't that interesting to most consumers. I know it isn't to me.
Elliott @ Aug 6th 2007 2:03PM
@Segarsj:
you've got a point there... it doesn't sound unreasonable
Jypson @ Aug 6th 2007 7:22PM
Ben, LOL
"Seems like alot of work, and I wouldn't want to start something only to stop because of the lack of interest. Also I think the lack of region coding isn't that interesting to most consumers. I know it isn't to me." -Ben the retard
I don't doubt simple mathematics would be very challenging for a dunder-head like you, but to say that you're afraid to try something because of lack of interest when the majority of the comments are saying they would want it...give me a break.
Xyzzy @ Aug 6th 2007 3:07PM
"Because HD-DVDs are already more expensive then Blu-Ray disks because HD-DVD forces you to buy the regular DVD along with the HD-DVD in their combo format that almost every HD-DVD is released in exclusively."
Actually, the majority are NOT combo disks... The ones that are generally only cost $3-$4 more than the BD equivelent (and some, like 300, have more features than just the regular DVD side). Why are so many regular BD disks $24 (vs $20 for non-combo HD DVDs)? It seems like any movie that's a combo on HD DVD costs $24 on BD. Doesn't make sense to me.
Show me where a BD disk costs the same as a regular DVD. Heck, show me where an HD DVD costs the same as a DVD. It doesn't exist.
Besides, there are countires other than the US you know. And people from those countries DO read websites. If this site wants to be the authority on HD news, this is something that should've been posted MONTHS ago. But I (and many others) still believe that they get kickbacks from Sony to spin spin spin, so that's the way it's probably going to stay. I've challenged Ben to make a post about it for a long time, but he always ignores me because he's a (self-proclaimed) BD fanboy. Nothing wrong with that, but you'd think SOMEONE at EngadgetHD would make a post that was unbiased. Oh well.
fistofsouth @ Aug 6th 2007 10:52PM
Wrong. The average MSRP for an HD DVD including combos is $31.37 the average MSRP for BDs is $33.64. You forget that one is hard pressed to get a Fox release, when they are releasing BDs, for less than $40. I purchased an import copy of Underworld: Evolution for $38 including shipping and thats less than $40 the last time I checked.
Imports should be included if Engadget HD is serious about offering consumers cutting edge information. The aforementioned Underworld: Evolution HD DVD has better PQ than the US BD version of that film and is thus the finest version of that film available to US consumers.
It is intellectually dishonest to say that consumers wont import HD DVDs when many of us have been importing CDs for decades. If a better version of content s only available via import history shows that US consumers can and will import it.
mike @ Aug 6th 2007 2:16PM
Your correct numbers are STILL wrong. IF last week hd-dvd had 265 and Blu-ray had 272, and hd-dvd gains 2 movies this week and blu-ray gains 5 movies, then the numbers are
HD DVD 267 vs Blu-ray 277. Are you drunk or something or just cant do basic math?
Even your description makes no sense when you say Sony has only one blue ray exclusive (are we there yet) when you can see in the list just below it that Arlington Road (Sony) and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (Sony) are both listed. eesh.
Abu Elawad @ Aug 6th 2007 11:11PM
Mike if you read carefully, he says one DAY AND DATE EXCLUSIVE.
polly @ Aug 6th 2007 2:44PM
267 vs 277 unless last week was wrong.
andres @ Aug 6th 2007 5:45PM
actually when you check those hd-dvd and blu-ray statistics sights the total right now is 277 to 272 blu-ray has a 5 disc lead
count exclusive and non exclusives
JeffDM @ Aug 6th 2007 6:25PM
Unfortunately, the number of titles for either format is kind of low for anyone but an HD enthusiast. It's good enough for me, for now though.
haveacoke1886 @ Aug 6th 2007 10:05PM
You guys should really include HD DVD imports, because they are region free and easily available through Amazon International sites, and other sites dedicated just to HD DVD imports. The cost for imports is only a few dollars more than Circuit City's store prices for Blu-ray discs. Well worth it. The Prestige, The Holiday, The Island, Terminator 2, and Basic Instinct are among several that I have imported from Amazon.co.uk, and all of which are Blu-ray exclusives. Definitely needs to be added to the count.
Mike @ Aug 7th 2007 2:44AM
When I get a HD DVD player..all I wnat to know is how many movies can I buy and watch. Not, how many I can get at best buy or how many I can buy in Missouri. How many total...so if I can buy it at ebay or amazon uk.....then I can watch it.
If you don't think people are interested in T2 europe sales...then take T2 out of blue ray count as that movie isn't a desired title. Of course it is ans of course i will buy from some countries amazon to get it and my credit card will convert the euros to dollars for me.
artexproductions @ Aug 7th 2007 2:07PM
I didn't know that I could import HD DVD's. Why haven't we seen anything about this on Engadget yet? I can't believe you can claim there is no consumer interest when there are clearly a lot of people that are interested in knowing more about international releases, like myself of course!
Ben, please reconsider your stance!
fsuifl @ Aug 7th 2007 2:19PM
I totally agree with everyone about the region free titles. It really wouldn't be that hard to list them here. If I can somehow circumvent the US release scheme I'm all for it, and from what I've seen online it's really not as expensive as some of you are saying. I can effectively get films that haven't been announced here in the states or I can get titles like "The Fantastic Four" which is a Blu-ray exclusive here in the states.
Ben, do you have a good reason not to do it, because the reason above makes no sense? It sounds like it wouldn't be that hard to do at all, and if anything it would help inform people about the potential of their HD DVD players.
I see only positives here.
Mike @ Aug 7th 2007 3:48PM
"Ben, do you have a good reason not to do it, because the reason above makes no sense? It sounds like it wouldn't be that hard to do at all, and if anything it would help inform people about the potential of their HD DVD players."
Yes he has a reason...he is pro blue ray..has even said he owns blue ray and not hd dvd. No one here wants to inform you of reasons to buy HD DVD.
I think the only reason some pro HD DVD users still come here is to post in comments and get all the information out.
I wouldn't have known about these blue ray titles i can buy on HD DVD from amazon uk, france etc if it wasn't for the people in the comments area.
Xyzzy @ Aug 7th 2007 2:26PM
@fsuifl: "and if anything it would help inform people about the potential of their HD DVD players. "
You answered your own question -- this site is being paid for by Sony (my theory) and that's why they rarely if ever post positive HD DVD news. On the rare occasion they do, they usually spin it to make it sound like BD is better or that HD DVD is "desperate." (that's literally what a post about cheaper HD DVD players said -- that Toshiba was obviously getting desperate).
lostnight @ Aug 7th 2007 2:32PM
I admit I like Blu-Ray... I bought the PS3, but I'd still love to hear more about region free HD-DVD titles. I think it'd really help out people who support that side, and that is one feature I wish Blu-Ray had. Being able to buy movies from any country around the world is fantastic... really the way it should be in my opinion.
Segarsj @ Aug 7th 2007 4:35PM
@Mike
That's exactly why I decided to bring this to Ben's attention. I believe there are so many people out there like yourself that not only have no idea that they're in possession of a Region Free player, and that they can not only order select titles that have yet to be announced on HD DVD on this side of the pond, but they can snag a good deal of Blu-ray "exclusives" through the various international Amazon sites.
I posted it already, but this site is a great resource for upcoming/previous international releases. http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com/
Best of luck to you Mike, and spread the word!