Transformers HD DVD sets new high definition sales records
Paramount couldn't wait for the Nielsen numbers to announce that Transformers has become the best selling day one and week one HD title on Blu-ray or HD DVD. Blu-ray or HD DVD is important, because it appears even its 190,000 HD DVDs sold in the first week is still behind 300's week one mark of 250k combined. Still, over 100,000 of those sold on the first day and definitely make this the biggest exclusive release since Sony's Casino Royale broke the 100k copies shipped barrier back in March. Two things appear to be confirmed, that the lack of lossless audio wasn't that big of a deal to many buyers, and that HD sales are still miniscule when compared to the 8.3 million Transformer DVDs that sold in the first week.[Thanks, domerdel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gil @ Oct 22nd 2007 8:22PM
Wow, Engadget taking a shit all over HD-DVD's good news?? Who didn't see that coming?
1. "Transformers on HD-DVD sets new records! But it's still not as good as 300's 250k combined HD-DVD & BLU-RAY sales" Really? It didn't beat figures that have a combined total of two different formats? No shit.
2. "Sure it sold over 100k in the first day, but only after Sony did it first with Casino Royal"
3. "Remember even though we're talking about sales figures here, remember that it doesn't have lossless audio.. but you know it's no biggie!"
4. "Again even though it broke HD movie records, which is what we're talking about, it still didn't beat normal DVD sales." Again, no shit.
Anyways don't forget to wipe your ass when you're done Engadget, Mud-butt is a bitch
somebody7 @ Oct 22nd 2007 8:58PM
@ Gil - wow, I didn't know there were hardcore HDDVD fanboi's. Are you reading the same story I am?
You wrote,
"2. "Sure it sold over 100k in the first day, but only after Sony did it first with Casino Royal"
This is what he really said
"definitely make this the biggest exclusive release since Sony's Casino Royale broke the 100k copies shipped barrier back in March"
Seriously, stop your b!tching. If you think engadget is pro-bluray and you dont like it....@#$% off.
Virtua Fanboy @ Oct 24th 2007 10:42AM
Amen, lol.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Oct 22nd 2007 8:36PM
Should be interesting to see how the Blu-Ray fanboys spin this one..
domerdel @ Oct 22nd 2007 8:55PM
This is a great move from an HD-DVD consumer's perspective. From a business sight, the heresay is "there could've been more money made" take for instance Warner's 300, it's neutral. Although they're playin' both sides of the fence, they're one of the few studios making the most money. So they sold, a combined 250k of 300... just imagine if they stayed neutral, I would say the numbers would be anywhere between 250k-300k in sales (and that's being conservative) combined.
I've picked a side, and as much as I want my format to win, I know this is a long road to any outcome, and in this stage in the game, it's better (from a business pov) to stay neutral... but i'm stickin' with blu :)
SolidOni @ Oct 22nd 2007 8:56PM
Wish it was on bluray but I saw this over at a friend house on hd-dvd and it was spectacular, however I still think PotC Curse of the Black Pearl looks better, just my opinion dont be hatin, but dvd sales are gonna trump HD sales for a bit, the average consumer doesn't see a need for HD content just yet. I still think it sucks though how Paramount extended this format war. Either way I dont care who wins I just want a format winner already!
Mike @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:34AM
@somebody7
Reguardless of the exact words...the write up doesn't just say great job...it has a bunch of fud in with it. Let's look at how high def digest reported it...
According to a just-issued press release from Paramount, the HD DVD edition of 'Transformers' sold over 100,000 units in its first day of release, and went on to sell an additional 90,000 units over next six days, making it the fastest and best-selling week one release on either high definition format, as well as the best selling HD DVD ever.
Ed @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:06PM
where, oh where, is our Blu-Ray/PS3 fanboy, h4Idol, now?
xemumanic @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:09PM
What do you think Paramount got paid $150 million to switch for?
Ed @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:31PM
exactly. isn't the same game that sony is playing with blu-ray?
ckelly @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:31PM
xemumanic - regurgitation of rumor as fact. An officially denied rumor (by all involved parties) at that. It's this type of uneducated reporting that really screws up the facts.
xemumanic @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:59PM
Rumor my behind. It was even in the New York Times. It was an obvious move, and these are the results. This is the biggest HD or DVD release of the year. Transformers was a MAJOR reason, if not THE reason.
Killer @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:36PM
@ SolidOni
I'm not hating or anything, but did you just compare a pirate movie with a robot movie? I bet Potc is great, hell I love the movie, but can really say its better since the little aspect ratio problem it has. I'm just saying...Transformers>Potc only because the transfer aspect ratio problem some discs have.
TrentD @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:13PM
Reported in the New York Times as "an anonymous source said". Don't get me started on Hearsay journalism. By the way, the NYT has been wracked by scandals such as the fabrication of sources and plagarism (see the Jayson Blair situation).
Anonymous sources are easy to fabricate because there's no way to confirm it with the source! The bottom line is that a payoff was denied by all parties allegedly involved.
Stop crying in your Blu Kool-aid.
xemumanic @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:06AM
Its so obviously true only an HD-DVD fan would deny it. These sales figures prove it. Why would you make the biggest movie release all year on ONE disc format when you were supporting BOTH unless that potential profit (and more) was covered? Someone else said it already, this could have been a million seller across both formats.
HeiSt-420 @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:18PM
As expected; smash-hit movie with big following, good price, cheap HD-DVD players = #1 Exclusive title to date .
Now I'm wondering how Shrek 3 will do
Xyzzy @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:28PM
Remember, Sony was counting units SHIPPED, not sold. I remember there was a big deal made about that because there was no idea how many were SOLD. So this means that Transformers is the first movie to SELL this well.
As for those who say that sales would've been higher if Paramount were still neutral -- how many people who had both HD DVD and BD said that they were buying BD because it was cheaper and didn't care about the special features? Well, no choice this time, so those people bought HD DVD. No way would the sales have been astronomically better if they released on both, IMHO.
What this tells me is that HD DVD is definitely alive and kicking. 190,000 copies sold vs 250,000 for '300.' You think Warner might be looking at that and thinking, "Hmmm, how much did it cost us to make the BD version, and did we recoup our costs selling only 60,000 more copies....?"
Smee @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:31PM
We just need XBOX 360 to start pumpin built in HD DVD players out the door by Christmas and it's bye bye blu.
MacGuru @ Oct 24th 2007 5:48PM
HAHA you crack me up. If MS were really behind HD DVD they would have embedded it in the XBOX 360 Elite.
They didn't because they don't have the $$$ to back HD DVD like Sony backs Blu-Ray.
It's not going to be bye bye HD DVD since there was never a "hello hd dvd" I know of no one that has a HD DVD player.
MI @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:56PM
Well,
1) Casino Royall did it months ago, when there weren't nearly as many players out there (BD or HDVD)so I think that's still a little more impressive, or at least a valid point from the BD side.
2) It was a great movie so I would expect everyone who owns a HDVD player got it (didn't yaz?). Listen to all us Blu-Ray folks... If we could, I think We'd all buy it right? In any event, I think its one of the best movies out in HD so it better sell like gang busters. Before you get to thinking I'm jealous, well... Yea!
3) It is an exclusive title, so there is no comparing apples to apples. If I heard the stats right though, paramount titles were selling better on BD before they went exclusive to HDVD so it's likely they would have at least as good sales on BD if they wanted the money... Oops!
ian9outof10 @ Oct 23rd 2007 7:19AM
"Casino Royall did it months ago, when there weren't nearly as many players out there (BD or HDVD)so I think that's still a little more impressive, or at least a valid point from the BD side."
Casino Royale did it partially because Sony were throwing copies of it in with Blu-ray players and PS3s (it was a long running launch offer in the UK) as these copies were given "via redemption" they count as sales.
At least everyone who bought Transformers actually did pay for it (unless there is an offer running that I don't know about)
Cam @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:29PM
Engadget HD, you guys are so fucking dumb. Casino Royale shipped 100k, not sold you dumbasses. How much is Sony paying you? Don't you ever even get your own news or do you just steal everything from hidefdigest? At least they try to appear to have a neutral stance on this format war.
Good job Gil, I'm with you
MacGuru @ Oct 24th 2007 5:52PM
@ Cam
Neutral stance like you huh?
Grow the hell up. I for one don't give a shit Transformers is on HD DVD only, I'll record it on mt DVR in HD when it hits HBO.
Simple as that.
SolidOni @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:37PM
@ killer
That's certainly understandable, I'm just trying to showcase the movies quality on both formats. I just wish it would end, I don't own an hd-dvd player, but if hd-dvd did win then I would buy the 360 addon in a snap. Just needs to end so I can buy tons of movies on a format I know will last for a few years
Pakmann2k @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:41PM
I dunno guys. BlueRay is pretty sweet but I do like the HD-DVD a little more. As a current HD-DVD guy, ala xbox360, I am darn happy with it. I was a little dissapointed that my copy of Transformers was single sided though. One of my biggest things I like about the HD-DVDs is the dual sided disks. Usually the disk has HD on one side and standard on the other. This is a huge advantage. I like to use movies in other areas other than my entertainment center. For example: my laptop, my car, and even in my player in my kitchen. I don't want or need an HD player in every room and device I own, and the dual sided disks kept me from buying movies that I could only play in my HD player in my living room. This reason alone, is why I went HD-DVD. But now, Transformers kinda killed that theory and I need another standard copy for my other devices. Hmmm... Schenanegans! If the new format (HD or BR) is to replace old dvds then they need to remember that we aren't buying a new player for every device we own! Dual sided disks or selling both formats together per box should be a must! HD started this and should continue. BR? Sorry fella.
JBDragon @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:33AM
The Dual format HD DVD/DVD disc's are also a disadvantage because it made the HD DVD version cost MORE then the Blu-Ray version on Dual format Movies! What SHOULD have happened was HD DVD/DVD Dual Disc's for the SAME price or a couple bucks more then a normal DVD, and not even release a DVD only version. When your then buying DVD's that also happen to have a HD DVD version on them, What type of player are you then at a later date more likely to buy? Why a HD DVD player to play all those Dual format disc's you already have. The way it's been going hurts the format, if they did it the second way, it would have help HD DVD far better!
I'll still NEVER buy a DRM infested Blu-Ray movie EVER. I want nothing at all to do with that Unfinished (Still in BETA)format.
Noah @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:51PM
190,000 copies in a week? Congrats Paramount. If it were released on both formats, it would have been the first title to sell a million copies. Way to alienate your fans.
smee @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:10AM
@Noah
Yeah, and maybe Casino Royale would have sold a million copies if that was on HD DVD as well, and so would Pirates if it was on HD DVD also, you gong beater!
mlody11 @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:09AM
Now, I don't think engadget it completely biased... at least they showed the article. But there are questionable items in the post.
1) "Blu-ray or HD DVD is important, because it appears even its 190,000 HD DVDs sold in the first week is still behind 300's week one mark of 250k combined" - What is this suppose to mean? Its a bad or a good thing that 190K is behind 300's 250K combined? As Xyzzy put it... its only 60K less than if it was on both?! Meaning... if they "numbers" on the BD vs HDDVD sales are "correct" and BD holds apperently 60% of the total market... the numbers shouldn't have been higher than 100K... it almost did double that?! So... that means almost 80% market penetration vs 40%?! Granted there is a time delay between 300 and transformers but would that really account for that ~ 40% diffrence?
2)"Still, over 100,000 of those sold on the first day and definitely make this the biggest exclusive release since Sony's Casino Royale broke the 100k copies shipped barrier back in March" - What the hell does this have anything to do with transformers almost breaking the 200K mark? So are you trying to say that HD-DVD almost doubled those numbers in 7 months? Not to mention its shipped not sold...
Its hard to say what the numbers would be if it was on both formats but if using "shady" logic... (the 60-40 split) Then it would be 475K?! Are there that many players out there? Using 50/50 split for players... it would be more than 380K? Thats a far stretch from the 250K 300, which wasn't that long ago and I doubt it was a less anticipated blockbuster...
MI @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:33AM
"As Xyzzy put it... its only 60K less than if it was on both?! Meaning... if they "numbers" on the BD vs HDDVD sales are "correct" and BD holds apperently 60% of the total market... the numbers shouldn't have been higher than 100K... it almost did double that?! So... that means almost 80% market penetration vs 40%?! Granted there is a time delay between 300 and transformers but would that really account for that ~ 40% diffrence?
Are you guys suggesting that if Transformers sold 190k, then 190k or 300's total HD sales must have been on HDVD? Not nearly everyone who bough Transformers, or would have bout it if it was sold on their format of choice, bough 300. Check the DVD stats, I'm sure the title is selling stupendously and better than 300 did on any format you compare apples to apples.
h4ldol @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:55AM
Dolby Digital 5.1 on the biggest HD DUD release ever? YIKES. Actually, it's embarrassing! No wonder Michael Bay, terrible man that he is, supports Blu-ray. And Steven Spielberg. At least on Blu-ray, Transformers would have had at least lossless audio, and still have space for all those extra "goodies" that Joe 6-pack is so fond of.
Dave @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:33AM
@h4ldol
5-star audio reviews for Transformers. Argue with that.
By the way, what good is it to have room for "extra goodies" when your preferred hardware format can't do "extra goodies"? Blu-Ray can't do PiP. It can't connect to the Internet. The Transformers extras wouldn't have worked on ANY EXISTING Blu-Ray player. Try to accept that it would be impossible with your chosen format and just move on.
As far as Michael Bay, he admitted he drank the Blu-Ray Kool-Aid--and then he recanted. And you know what? We forgive him. And the Spielberg thing? BS. He said once that he was a "fan" of Blu-Ray. He doesn't make love to it like you do. It doesn't mean he's not also a fan of HD-DVD. Show me the link where he says he prefers Blu-Ray. You can't. It doesn't exist.
Don't cry, okay?
Smee @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:45AM
@H4Idol
Ahhhhhhhhhh, "The return of the Troll".... coming soon to blu ray
misterhearn @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:01AM
Well let the BR fanboys begin, "if it were blu ray it would have sold a trillion copies!" Bottom line is no BR or HD DVD has sold like this PERIOD, not Casino Royale, not POTC, Silver Surfer nothing! Lets stop all the fanboy shenanigans
This movie sold a lot and will continue to sell a lot and to the person who said Pirates 3 will break records lets see... Pirates 2 didnt sell like this and it was equally as good, Spiderman 3 actually kinda sucked which was disappointing but too much of a draggy story with Peter and Mary Jane.
It just hurts folks to see HD DVD is still alive and well, I cant wait to hear the BR Association's comments on this. I wonder if Sony will try to count the new PS3 sku that ships with Spiderman 3 as a BR sold to cushion the numbers?
Smee @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:34AM
@xemumaniac
I suppose it wouldn't have anything to do with Paramount saying "BDJ is a pig to work with and BR production is to expensive".
Course not, they just threw away millions on BR Transformers because they were bribed, nothing at all to do with them being fed up with working with, and losing money on, a bad product!
TrentD @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:02AM
Nobody's making significant money off this format war right now. The studios' incentive is to get this format war over with, so that they can focus on one format and start restoring some of the profit margin that has been lost with the rampant DVD discounting that takes place nowadays.
Let's assume that after all costs were covered, studios made $10 (a generous figure) off every sale of "300" on BD/HD. I'm not sure what the current sales figures are, but even at 500,000 total sales (also generous), that's only 5 million dollars of profit! That's not much, bottom line.
Despite what the conspiracy theorists have said (ignoring the equally likely Disney and Fox BD payoffs), Paramount has denied the payoff rumors and given verifiable reasons for their HD exclusive support - better interactivity, a complete specification, and most important of all - lower authoring costs.
Some people here need to go back to Blu-ray.com's forums and keep rolling in the pile of rumor and intrigue that occurs there daily.
domerdel @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:12AM
from someone who is on the blu side, i'm not trying to sway a valid argument that this is a great thing for HD-DVD. kudos, my hats off to you team red. From my perspective, I think Paramount has the win/win scenario, only the "other win" is if it went after both markets, that would far exceed the "150 mil rumor".
Let's just pretend for a minute, get off the dance floor red team, and thing real long and hard... pretend there are only two sides
1) Hi-Def
2) DVD
The "big picture" here is gaining market share in Hi-Def. the one thing blu and red have in common is the same enemy... DVD, which we all know wont go away. But by this move may be a "victorious battle" it doesn't scratch the surface of the hi-def market share.
JeffDM @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:59PM
The fact that both the HD formats are miniscule is the reason I wish that there was only one HD format. All this sniping and fanboyism on both sides isn't helping either.
While there are some benefits in format competition, I think the long term is a detriment if it's not cleared up. DVD-Video is still thriving and very affordable despite not really having much competition for most of its life, the short DivX stint nonwithstanding, but that was more of an add-on to DVD, not a real competitor, it couldn't do anything to drive down the cost of DVD when both formats were DVD players.
Anyway, dividing development resources between two niche formats either roughly doubles authoring expenses (if you release in two formats) or roughly halves your particular market if you release only in one format. I think limits the viability of movies made in the format.
Personally, I don't care that much which movie format wins, I'm trying to avoid buying any movies in any format until it gets cleared up. I'm sticking to Netflix for the time being.
SickNic @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:18AM
With all this Blu-Ray, HD DVD bickering, I thought I'd jump in with my 2 cents:
I like Robots.
That is all...
Jeff @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:19AM
My only question is: If I were a lame fanboy, which one would I be?
Ian @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:35AM
"Its so obviously true only an HD-DVD fan would deny it. These sales figures prove it. Why would you make the biggest movie release all year on ONE disc format when you were supporting BOTH unless that potential profit (and more) was covered? Someone else said it already, this could have been a million seller across both formats."
I'm curious: Will you be saying the same thing for "Spider-Man 3" and "PotC:DMC"? ;)
nigel @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:21AM
@Ian
You blu trolls piss me off, it's OK for sony/Fox/Disney to keep pumping out single format movies, oh yaeh, that's OK, no money changing hands there, ooooh shit no, but lets all butcher Paramount for making EXACTLY the same stand.
You blu fools make me sick, you are all such hypocrites!
MI @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:49AM
Latest comments on Paramount's hddvd only status from Blu-Ray Fanboy Michael Bay:
"It's short-sighted and it has delayed consumers' moving to HD (home video)," he says. "As a director, my critical eye is that Blu-ray is where my money is."
He also agrees that the DVD itself could have been better, let alone the hddvd.
Kenzo @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:16AM
Dude, that was Michael Bay's earlier quote before he saw 300 on HDDVD and recanted. His current stance as far as we're concerned is that HDDVD is "pretty sweet", and that he expected Transformers on HDDVD to look great.
I wonder why USA today left that out.
MI @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:49AM
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/dvd/2007-10-22-transformers-bay_N.htm
dynamius @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:18AM
Well, that tells me Michael Bay is now HD DVD's bitch whether he likes it or not, and all HD DVD users will reap in the benefits (at least for Transformers).
I have to say, after watching the extra features on Transformers, I got the impression that Michael Bay is an ass. You can tell he tries to behave when he's on camera. That and his previous blog post just confirms his sour attitude, so I don't feel sorry for the guy. No sympathy for someone who doesn't know how to be diplomatic.
Gil @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:45AM
@ nigel
Don't forget Sony buying shelf space @ Target and more than likely BlockBuster as well.. But that's ok, because it's Sony.
Ian @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:31AM
@nigel
Dude, the first part of my comment was quoting an earlier poster, and then I followed up by asking exactly the same thing you are.
I'm an HD DVD supporter ;)
joel @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:26AM
To bad it didn't come out on blu-ray to see what format would sell more. Spiderman 3 will set a blu-ray sales record as will The third Pirates movies this holiday season. Paramount made a mistake by leaving blu-ray for the time being. Transformers would have sold the same amount or more blu-ray copies.
Mike @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:41AM
@h4ldol
If joe 6pk can even afford HDTV and a HD DVD player yet..he is probably using the tv speakers... and the middle class families probably don't have stero set ups that can take advantage of lossless audio.
I, myself, when I can get an HDTV will get the most affordable HD player and it will conect to my 4ch surround sound reciever.