Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending January 13th, 2008
We must say we didn't see this coming, sure we knew the Warner announcement would have some impact on the Nielsen VideoScan numbers, courtesy of Home Media Magazine, but who would've guessed the spread would be 85/15 (5.7:1)? What is just as telling is the top ten chart, which despite having six titles on it that are also available on HD DVD, not one HD DVD made the list for the first time since we can remember, -- first time ever? To be fair, we should point out that HD DVD didn't have any blockbusters in the past few weeks and as we've seen many times, a big exclusive title like 3:10 to Yuma can give both sides a surge. But with no big titles on the calendar in the next few months for red, we wouldn't be surprised if these crazily lopsided sales become the norm. We do wonder how long HD DVD will stay the course if they can't even garner 20% of the movie sales market.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
TrentD @ Jan 18th 2008 3:40PM
Even as an HD DVD fan, I'm not surprised.
I know I've personally held off on purchasing The Kingdom, Stardust, and Zodiac on HD DVD since the Warner announcement, waiting for the inevitable B1G1 sales to begin.
Even with the great sale Amazon currently has going, I'm waiting for a B1G1. I think a lot of people were thinking the same way.
EatingPie @ Jan 18th 2008 3:52PM
Yeah the BOGO are a better deal that 50% off, since Amazon already discounts when they do the BOGO (the 50% is off retail, not their usual price).
I've stopped purchasing of HD-DVD titles. I want the format war to end, and I'm doing my part to make sure there's a decline in HD-DVD sales from here on out.
-Pie
Mike @ Jan 18th 2008 6:47PM
This doesn't say much...this was before Toshiba advised its new path of lower cost and they have Universal and Paramount/Dreamworks staying HD DVD. The more important stats for HD DVD will be how many copies of the next big release they sell. If HD DVD can still put a new release in the top 5 then it is game on.
Mike @ Jan 18th 2008 6:51PM
This doesn't say much...this was before Toshiba advised its new path of lower cost and they have Universal and Paramount/Dreamworks staying HD DVD. The more important stats for HD DVD will be how many copies of the next big release they sell. If HD DVD can still put a new release in the top 5 then it is game on.
regeya @ Jan 18th 2008 9:37PM
Heck, I'm waiting for sales, period! I stopped in the local Walmart, as well as the local Best Buy, and both still had HD DVD priced competitively with Blu-Ray. And it doesn't really look like product in either category is really moving...I know the Blu-Ray enthusiasts like to use the HD DVD vs. Blu-Ray *percentages* to make a point, but face it, guys, both formats' sales are sucking, with Blu sucking a fair amount less.
I'm more confident than ever that Blu prices will be significantly lower in the fall, just because they're going to run into the same situation they ran into with DVD: $40 for something that plays the old format or $400 for something that plays the new format, and oh by the way, the movies cost twice as much for the $400 player? Yeah, they're going to have to deep-discount if they hope to kill DVD dead. I for one welcome it...well, maybe not *welcome* it as it'd be nice to be able to make backups of the media I bought (you scoff, but I made a backup of "Planet Of The Apes", Charleton Heston not the remake, when I found out it was a bad pressing ,and glad I did) but hey, mainly I want to be able to enjoy my TV at the proper resolution without paying outrageous prices.
HD4ME @ Jan 19th 2008 3:04AM
@eatingpie
with comments like that u need to change your name to eating crow, sucking up to the blu fools like that, u should be ashamed of your self!
Hans Martin @ Jan 18th 2008 3:42PM
Paramount and Universal -- I hope you are paying attention. The format war is over. If HDM has a future in the mass market, the players need to ride the same horse. And one of the horses just died.
TrentD @ Jan 18th 2008 3:53PM
You're right - I'm Red-blooded, but own both formats, and I think both Universal and Paramount should go format neutral - that way HD DVD owners are still supported by a couple loyal studios, but mass adoption of Blu-ray can commence since all content will be available on BD.
WordSlinger @ Jan 18th 2008 4:30PM
I'm sure there will be some major spin going on in this thread very soon by the usual red fans, but it will be the usual "these numbers are too small to really matter, the PS3 is a kids toy, look how well HD-DVD players are selling on Amazon" stuff.
These numbers have to be influencing Universal and Paramount. Yes, discounted HD-DVD players are selling well on Amazon right now, but I'm sure the movie studios care more about what movies are selling, not players. As the pie on the right looks less and less like Pac-Man, the pressure has to be mounting.
Next week's numbers are looking to be more of the same. The huge sale on Amazon has some major titles movies for both camps, but Blu-Ray is still crushing HD-DVD.
Gus @ Jan 18th 2008 10:41PM
What should be displayed here is DVD v BR v HDDVD then everyone will realize what a load of bullshit these numbers represent.
Gus @ Jan 18th 2008 10:44PM
Better yet TrentD, how about all studios release all on both formats, as a HD DVD supporter, why should you lie down? Because the BDA says so, get F'D!
HD4ME @ Jan 19th 2008 12:55AM
Yeah, only problem is the Stallion was shot while in full health and it has been overtaken by a donkey!
DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 18th 2008 3:47PM
**Enter the Sandman music playing in the background**
Evan @ Jan 18th 2008 3:48PM
3:10 to Yuma was not that great of a movie.
Seriously though, had there been one title worth picking up on HD DVD the last few weeks I would have bought it. Next up on my buy list is American Gangster.
JimC @ Jan 18th 2008 3:53PM
Fortunately, the whole world doesn't start and stop by one person's like or dislike of a particular film. Clearly, others disagree with you...
Brian @ Jan 18th 2008 3:57PM
JimC,
Think you might have a better avatar graphic you can use now.
Evan @ Jan 18th 2008 4:37PM
@JimC
Do you really think that was a 'big exclusive' like the article says?
I'm just saying, it isn't a have to have movie. When that is blowing HD DVD out of the water, I think that is saying something.
Also, really there were no good releases on HD DVD recently. I tried to find a movie to buy that was worth it and there just weren't any new ones out.
thamarxman @ Jan 19th 2008 3:21PM
Yea, the next tiitle I will buy is Amergican Gangster also, but thats in March. Thats what makes me so mad about HD DVD-I check out the upcoming releases every week and get let down-I really want to give them my money, but they aren't putting their hands out with good titles. I looked at all the confirmed releases up until the end of may and there is nothing-i will be buying all the older ones I wanted back when I couldn't afford a HD DVD player-Man I don't want to go PURPLE but I see a PS3 in my future, I am a RED fanboy, but my faith is starting to waver
RockinOscar @ Jan 18th 2008 6:33PM
i liked 3:10 to Yuma, but i rented and i wouldn't buy it, but somehow War is selling well and that was a weak movie.
JimC @ Jan 18th 2008 3:56PM
This will be the trend from now on. With Paramout/Dreamworks/universals weak release schedule for Q1 and Warner's built in delays, the pie will continue to look more and more blu....
Gus @ Jan 18th 2008 10:56PM
Lets have a look at the pie chart DVD V blu ray then shall we.
Gus @ Jan 18th 2008 11:26PM
Or the pie chart PS3 v XBox 360, one eyed zealots!
JimC @ Jan 19th 2008 12:09AM
Gus,
First of all, no one is doubting Blu-ray sales are minor compared to DVD, that's why it is called next gen. Second, who gives a rat crap about xbox-360 vs PS3??? This article is about title sales for blu-ray and hddvd, the format war? Ring a bell?
If HDDVD is getting tromped by blu-ray, just how bad do you think HDDVD is getting tromped by DVD??? Hmmm?
HD4ME @ Jan 19th 2008 2:30AM
Interesting, next gen, but it doesn't have internet connectivity, no pip, no bonus features, sounds positively last gen to me. I suppose at $400 it's a bargain though, WTF?
JimC @ Jan 19th 2008 9:41AM
@HD4ME
Are yo kidding me? Do we have to go through the same crap everytime one of you moronic redheads throws up garbage on here?
1) PiP already done but who cares, this is a niche feature for a subset of users who will enjoy it. But BD has it, there are players that support it now, so you are a liar.
2) internet connectivity, already on many players but yes web interactivity was only just demo'd at CES but no titles yet use this. But amazingly even though HDDVD had it from the start, very few HDDVD titles support it and fewer users have used it. Niche feature and talking point, who cares.
3) No bonus features is a flat out lie, you pathetic liar. We all know that BD has more room to put more bonus features, so sit down little man.
And while we're at it, HDDVD only recently became compliant, supporting 1080p on only the latest most expensive players, totally unacceptable, worthless piece of junk....I'm being facetious but only if you think your talking points aren't really valid...
But hey! Look on the bright side! Your now the proud owner of a collector's item, a relic that you can show your grandkids someday.
Spiza @ Jan 19th 2008 5:20PM
Go ahead and do a 360 vs ps3 chart. PS3 has been outselling the 360 across the world lately.
here ya go actually:
http://www.vgchartz.com/hwcomps.php?cons1=PS3®1=All&cons2=X360®2=All&cons3=Wii®3=All&start=39418&end=39460
HD4ME @ Jan 19th 2008 6:52PM
@JimC
There you go again, the minute someone says something that you don't agree with, they are a moron, deuche, idiot,fool.
Your never ending one eyed posts have become extremely tiresome. There is not a person here that can post without you giving at least 1 comment and if you don't agree with there opinion, they get walked all over by you.
You are obviously attempting to totally dominate every topic here with a flood of never ending posts, and belt into submission any person who does not agree with your bent and twisted views.
You have become a serial pest and your unending posts a bore. I am entitled to my opinion as is everyone who posts here, so FO you ignorant jerk and get a life!
JimC @ Jan 19th 2008 7:58PM
@HD4ME
There's a difference between having an opinion and blatantly lying. You blatantly lied, therefore you don't deserve the respect of discourse....
HD4ME @ Jan 19th 2008 9:27PM
And there it is again, the law according to JimC. What is it with you,how about just for once you write, in your opinion, just because you say it is so, does not mean it is.
JimC=bigot.
JimC @ Jan 19th 2008 11:52PM
@HD4ME
Do you even know what the word bigot means? The only way I see that word applying here is if I am bigoted against liars.
HD4ME said :"Interesting, next gen, but it doesn't have internet connectivity, no pip, no bonus features"
Now, you with this comment, you have two choices here, you can claim stupidity and ignorance or you can claim you were purposefully telling a falsehood, aka lying. Which is it bub? Don't get all full of righteous indignation, you've dug this hole yourself, either man up and admit it or go away....
HD4ME @ Jan 20th 2008 1:36AM
Bigot-Wikepedia -"A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from their own."
Bigot-Websters-"a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group with hatred and intolerance"
Like an overbearing mother in law you, have to have the last word every time as well don't you?
You embody everything that is ugly about the blu ray corporation, ignorant, arrogant, overbearing, forceful, domineering, false, and corrupt.
JimC=Bigot
JimC @ Jan 20th 2008 2:06AM
@HD4ME
Are you dense? What opinion did you express with:
HD4ME said :"Interesting, next gen, but it doesn't have internet connectivity, no pip, no bonus features"
I'm ok with opinions bub. I'm even ok with ignorance as long as you realize it after being shown facts, but where have you expressed opinion in that quote? They are statements of "fact" from you which are *all* wrong. These aren't abstract ideas like "Is PiP really worth it?" You made statements as if they were facts and they were flat out false. If you can't own up to either being ignorant of the fact or being a liar, then you're pathetic. You can call me a bigot all you want that still doesn't change the fact that either A) You're ignorant B) A Liar.
Here is a yes or no question for you, please, with all that is good and just in the world jsut answer it truthfully. Here it goes:
In this quote from you:
HD4ME said :"Interesting, next gen, but it doesn't have internet connectivity, no pip, no bonus features"
Are these true or false statements? Don't espouse on whether or not your opinion is that I'm intolerant of opinion, just answer the question.
I've stated it before and I'll state it again: bring a reasoned argument, I'll debate you, express opinion and I'll respect it *unless* your "opinion" contains inaccuracies or blatant falsehoods.
Stop dodging the issue here. Stop trying to distract from the fact you've been called out. Iif you want too revise your statement to include "Your opinion" fine, but then your opinion has already been proven false, so either way you're not in a good position to do anything but try and change the subject with "bigot". Express your opinion, I may agree or disagree, state falsehoods, you'd better be ready to defend it....
HD4ME @ Jan 20th 2008 3:10AM
@JimC
grow up jimmy, it's like, liar liar your pants are on fire, give it up all ready!
Just read your above post, man, you are a head case, it's like you want shirts of in the car park because I expressed an opinion and you say I am a liar.
Pofile 1.1 is virtually non existent yet, so get you hand off it!
What does the "C" stand for, Child?
You must be employed by sony to stomp all over any one and anything that is anti the corporate line, have fun running into your masters office telling them how you stuck it into every body and won the day, good on you!..
You've all ready shown your total ignorance and lack knowledge of anything HD with your poor and uniformed choice of TV, so you aren't in any position to be the "Sheriff" here buddy, just quit while your ahead, you are making such an ass out of your self with your declarations of righteous indignation.
Take your tin foil hat off and grow up jimmy, and if you want to continue the fight, just carry on by yourself, you win, you are such a legend and a hero, your mom must be so proud.
**2 big gold stars for jimmy for being such a good boy today**
JimC=Bigot
JimC @ Jan 20th 2008 8:26AM
@HD4ME
Apparently you have a mental defect. I assume you are incapable of being intellectually honest therefore you are a waste of time. You can't bring yourself to acknowledge that you were wrong. Now you say "Profile 1.1 is barely existent" that is a far cry from "Interesting, next gen, but it doesn't have internet connectivity, no pip, no bonus features". You're dishonest, lack integrity and when confronted with reality, you punt.
Now you attack my choice in TV, LOL.
Do any blu-ray players have internet connectivity? Yes or No
Do any player have PiP capability? Yes or No
Do any Blu-ray discs have bonus features? Yes or No
These are tot hard questions. You made a statement, I'm challenging you to back it up. Its pretty darn simple to do.
benny boy @ Jan 20th 2008 8:39AM
It's quite amusing that they both seem to be insulting each other about the same thing.
However, HD4ME seems to be quite a bit more oblivious to his ignorance.
benny boy @ Jan 20th 2008 8:48AM
@ HD4ME
"You embody everything that is ugly about the blu ray corporation, ignorant, arrogant, overbearing, forceful, domineering, false, and corrupt."
I think you need to realise that this is an exaggerated description of just about every major corporation: including the HD-DVD corporation.
The only thing corporations want is consumer's money. That is the only thing both companies want. None of them really care about the consumer.
Wake up and realised this.
JimC @ Jan 20th 2008 9:23AM
@Benny Boy
"It's quite amusing that they both seem to be insulting each other about the same thing.
However, HD4ME seems to be quite a bit more oblivious to his ignorance."
I'm not insulting him on anything except what he has displayed himself to be, either ignorant or deceitful. Fairly straightforward.
I take offense that you would use the phrase "quite a bit more oblivious to his ignorance". That would imply that on some level I am ignorant....ok....I'll admit it. I am ignorant because I thought HD4ME would grow a pair and man up....I was wrong.... ;-)
HD4ME @ Jan 21st 2008 3:42AM
I couldn't help myself, i had to add one more little bit, i see you had another blu android running to your defense and you turned on him like a rabid dog, your such a princess, hahahahaha.
By the way, I'm with you though jimmy, this is our own private little war we've got going on here, tell the gate crasher to mind his own F'N business!
But seriously, come on dude, chill a little, loosen off that collar, your going to blow your sphincter valve if you keep grabbing the bait the way you do, relax, it's little pieces of plastic we are talking about here, not vast tracts of land!
Anyway, nice talking with you, I'll see you at another topic, keep up the good work.
JimC @ Jan 21st 2008 10:05AM
@HD4ME
I didn't turn on Benny boy, I joked around with him. I admit I have been especially terse when it comes to some of these comments and I shouldn't be that way. It is out of frustration when I see comments made that are completely false about known facts that I only assume it is deliberate deceitfulness. I don't mind if you thin $400 is too much for a player, I may question you on it but if that is your opinion that's fine but the other points you made were absolutely false but I shouldn't have ripped to you shreds pointing it out. I'm sorry for that. Just please either make your opinions based on known facts or if you don't and someone challenges on that, accept it and either back up your comments with facts or issue a retraction. This is how civil discourse works. I know I did not help matters either with my brutal tactics of ripping you to shreds before all to see....
Jnas @ Jan 18th 2008 3:58PM
I would totally be ragging on HDDVD right now if it wasn't for the fact that i saw this coming.
All i'll say is that i'm happy this format war is ending, and yes HDDVD fanboys it is ACTUALLY ending.
mlody11 @ Jan 18th 2008 4:03PM
Firstly, I own both formats so I really don't care who wins (before zealots attack me).
HD-DVD did have some good releases lately (personally) such as The Pianist and Zodiac but I think the biggest problem is that people are afraid that if they buy HD-DVD now they will need to re-buy the movie. I have held off on buy the titles because of the warner announcement and I'm waiting what HD-DVD's offical response will be. (besides the suspicious price drop on the players)
Secondly, if you look at the titles that were bought, it looks like blu-zealots acted directly the opposite to what HD-DVD fans did and that is they went out and tried to get any movies they like specifically from warner. What I mean is if you look at the movies that made the top ten, there were not close before the annoucement... I'm looking at: Goodfellas and Blood Diamond.
Thirdly... (my proof of the attitude change...) The announcment did not change hardware and it did not change the cost of software. Practically, nothing changed except for the attitudes of people. This was enough to force a format that was practically 60:40 into a 85:15.
Things currently to think about...
1. What will the HD-DVD camp do in the coming days. This will be important because the longer they wait the more the consumer confidence will drop about HD-DVD.
2. What will blu-ray do with the disk sales now that HD-DVD is not "dangerous" in their eyes.
3. What will manufactures do with the players they release, i.e did the cheap dual format player arrive the same time as HD-DVD goes under?
ceilingfanboy @ Jan 18th 2008 4:16PM
But hardware prices did change. The week after the announcement, Toshiba dropped their prices on hardware. I wonder, though, if Universal and Paramount were awaiting the Nielsen numbers just to see how much Warner's decision would affect sales before making a decision on if they will go neutral or even blu exclusive. The only other thing is, when did the Amazon BOGO end for blu-ray? I know it's the same bogo offer that they had for HD-DVD, but I don't remember whether it was still active when these numbers were taken. I guess it was probably over by this time because the Harry Potter series would probably have been further up the list considering it was the #1 DVD when the deal was on.
Leonardo DiCrapio @ Jan 18th 2008 10:17PM
"Secondly, if you look at the titles that were bought, it looks like blu-zealots acted directly the opposite to what HD-DVD fans did and that is they went out and tried to get any movies they like specifically from warner. What I mean is if you look at the movies that made the top ten, there were not close before the annoucement... I'm looking at: Goodfellas and Blood Diamond."
Goodfellas, Blood Diamond, Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter: Prison of Azbakan, and Harry Potter: Sorcerer's Stone are all in the Top Ten because of the Buy One Get One Sale at Amazon. This is not Blu-Ray fans embracing Warner Brothers titles. And I think 300 at #2 surged because of the Buy One Get One Sale, also.
I'm not saying Blu-Ray wouldn't have won the week, but I expect it got a boost of about 5-10% from the sale. Likewise, HD DVD got a boost the week before from the Amazon BOGO (probably about 5-10% again).
My point is both weeks would have probably trended closer to 75%/25% individually if the sales effect could be somehow separated from the general sales (meaning I think the steep drop-off is over-exagerated).
Adam @ Jan 18th 2008 4:14PM
Go Blu Pac Man go! Chomp chomp!
Iridium @ Jan 18th 2008 4:16PM
There will never be a cheaper dual format player, that is for certain. A dual format player will always cost more to manufacture than a single format player. Why would a company that backs BluRay start making a dual format player and add cost?
Once the stock is gone Best Buy, CC, Sears, and the othwers won't be reordering HD-DVD players. They will clear out the stock and then throw the remaining HD-DVD titles in the bargain bin. You'll be able to get great deals and a few great movies but you won't be able to get any new HD-DVD movies a year from now.
If you don't mind spending $150 on a player that you'll use for a year then a HD-DVD player could be a good investment. It'll still play DVDs but if you plan on watching everything in HD you'll be out of luck.
ceilingfanboy @ Jan 18th 2008 4:19PM
I think BB, CC, and Sears are going to be much slower at discontinuing HD-DVD players than Target and Wal-Mart, considering as it is, only certain stores carry either. The Wal-Mart by me only has HD-DVD players that are left over from when they had a deal with 10 free movies. They've remained so untouched that they still say $298 even though they have dropped in price twice since then.
kcmurphy88 @ Jan 18th 2008 4:22PM
A dual format player can cost as little as the more expensive format (blu). In fact, I'm pretty sure that the PS3 could read HD DVDs with the right software. It's not like the PS3 doesn't have the processing power.
If not, then a small change to the disc hardware would do it, but I'm pretty sure both formats used the same disc subsystem.
seanc @ Jan 18th 2008 5:23PM
kcmurphy - From what I've read, both blu ray and hd-dvd use different physical lenses for focusing the laser, so you need s changer in there or possibly a re-focusable lense, in either case I don't think its just a software problem.
regeya @ Jan 18th 2008 9:38PM
Well, yeah...I know I've been spewing forth about it here and there, but my own personal case is that lightning decided for me that I was going to buy a new TV and DVD player; if the Toshiba unit weren't very good at playing DVDs I would have taken it back, most likely, and it's still the tiniest bit up in the air, as it'd be nice to play VHS (yep, we still have some of those) and some upscaling combo units are in the same pricerange. And Blu wasn't an option; yeah, I sprung for HDTV, wasn't about to buy another SDTV, but I'm certainly not made of money, not by a long shot, and buying a Blu player would have doubled the price of my purchase. In fact, at first I had gotten an LG upscaler, and that also helped force my hand; I figured, hell, by now an upscaler is an upscaler, right? WRONG.
Since it looks like a more or less done deal I'll wait it out until better & cheaper Blu players are out; I have a feeling that companies like Sony, Panasonic, JVC, etc. will want to get out of the DVD player business, and studios out of the DVD business, but will have a hard time doing so as long as the silly things are still ridiculously cheaper than Blu players. Since jacking up the price 7x on a regular DVD player would likely just piss consumers off (and probably break some law or another in various countries) I think it likely that we'll see lower prices within the year.
Cripes, I hope so...I had gone ahead with HD DVD because, well, firstly because it was in the affordable range :-> and secondly because Blu's cost of entry was nearly as high as what I had paid for my TV.
HD4ME @ Jan 19th 2008 1:12AM
@Iridiot
Your pretty sure of the ordering policies of the various companies and the supply chain networks for HD DVD discs aren't you? Perhaps you in the wholesale supply business?