ZillionTV signs the final remaining major studio
by Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Nov 10th 2009 at 1:29PM
home media magazine posts
Hollywood still doesn't understand why people pirate content
by Ben Drawbaugh posted Feb 27th 2009 at 7:53PM
We believe that the only way to really understand what is going on is to listen to both sides and this one of the reason why we like Home Media Magazine. We feel like it gives us an inside perspective into the minds of the Home Media market, and thus Hollywood. This recent post on said site by Erik Gruenwedel really exposes how Hollywood still doesn't understand piracy. While we recognize that some people will steal just for the sake of it, we really believe that most prefer the legit route -- when given a choice. But the tech savvy looking to move forward with how they consume content really don't have many options right now. With the CableCARD HTPC fiasco and the prices plus restrictions that go along with services like iTunes and Xbox Live Marketplace, what else is a geek to do? For a brief moment there with offerings like Hulu, It almost seemed like Hollywood was coming along , but then recently their true colors were revealed once again. The real problem of course is that while consumers look at technology a way to improve the way they consume content, Hollywood sees it as a threat, and even worse, as just a way to increase revenues and control over the content. And as far as downloading movies goes, can you say release window?HD-3 conference eliminates "Blu-ray in trouble" rumor gremlins -- by pouring water on them
by Richard Lawler posted Nov 12th 2008 at 9:03AM
Panelists at Home Media Magazine's third annual high definition conference found plenty in Blu-ray to be positive about, according to the magazine's own report, so they may be somewhat surprised to see co-sponsor Hollywood Reporter's less optimistic "Economy grinch may pinch Blu-ray" headline as the most syndicated report we found this A.M. Not exactly another Blu-ray is dead exaggeration, but not exactly how the industry wants to represent itself coming into a very important holiday season. With Blu-ray player prices diving, a slew of blockbuster titles on the way and shelf space expanding, the perception of Blu-ray as a niche format should be dwindling, but Home Media Mag publisher Thomas Arnold blames analysts and reporters who "don't understand our business" for putting Blu-ray in their crosshairs. At least per our poll, 55% of you are continuing as normal or increasing purchases, at least for some, there's just no substituting for quality.Read - Economy grinch may pinch Blu-ray
Read - At HD-3, Myths Dispelled About Blu-ray Disc
Band of Brothers coming to Blu-ray this year
by Richard Lawler posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 12:49PM
NPD clarifies Blu-ray's market share the week after Warner went Blu
by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jan 25th 2008 at 10:35AM
Some were very quick to crown Blu-ray the winner when we learned that the Blu-ray player owned 93 percent of the HD movie market the week after Warner went Blu. Evidently the numbers were leaked and the NPD group was quick to respond in an attempt to clear things up. As expected, some were just as quick to discount the Blu-ray success -- which is just as silly as saying the numbers alone mean Blu-ray has won. Two things happened that week that we're not so sure could continue forever; HD DVD sales were down, and Blu-ray sales were up. With some help from a few promotions (free player with a new TV) -- stand-alone Blu-ray player sales were up 30 percent (22k, up from 15k) -- but this alone wasn't enough to shift HD DVD share from 40 percent down to 7. HD DVD only sold 1,758 stand-alone players during the same week, compared to 14,558 the week before. So while Blu-ray was up 30, HD DVD was down 88 percent. So it isn't that the Blu-ray sales were all that spectacular, but instead it was that HD DVD sales were way down. At this point it doesn't mean anything, but if it continues for more than a month then that's whole 'nother story entirely.[Thanks, To everyone who sent this in]
Poll: How many HD movies have you bought?
by Ben Drawbaugh posted Dec 10th 2007 at 10:15AM
In the latest Home Media Magazine, there's an article about the current status of the HD movie market. The most interesting thing, was that they reported that HD movie player sales are actually out pacing DVD in it's first year, but no one is buying movies. In DVD's first year, the average early adopter bought 8.9 titles, compared to either HD DVD or Blu-ray stand-alone owners with a average of 3.6, while PS3 owners have only bought one title. So we want to know, how many movies have you bought? (Don't count freebies and don't vote at all if you don't own a player)Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending October 28th, 2007
by Ben Drawbaugh posted Nov 2nd 2007 at 12:55PM
- Transformers HD DVD 100.00
- Heroes Season 1 HD DVD 47.91
- Meet the Robinsons BD 44.88
- Mr. Brooks BD 14.41
- Hostel Part II BD 13.65
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest BD 13.01
- 300 HD 12.05
- Pirates of the Cari bean Curse of the Black Pearl BD 11.61
- 300 BD 11.26
- Planet Earth HD 11.22
Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending October 21st, 2007
by Ben Drawbaugh posted Oct 26th 2007 at 1:45PM
- Transformers 100
- Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest 9.47
- Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl 9.12
- Fatastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 5.47
- Apocalypto 5.02
- Deja Vu 3.71
- The Prestige 3.60
- Wild Hogs 3.53
- The Reaping BR 3.42
- 300 BR 3.37
[Via AVSForum]
Nielsen VideoScan High-Def market share for week ending October 14th, 2007
by Ben Drawbaugh posted Oct 19th 2007 at 11:33AM
- Fantastic Four 100.00
- Surf's Up BD 66.99
- 28 Weeks Later BD 63.66
- Evan Almighty HD 45.62
- 300 BD 37.58
- Knocked Up HD 27.03
- Reign over Me 24.10
- 28 Days Later BD 23.13
- Casino Royale BD 21.96
- Troy DC BD 19.64
[Via AVSForum]
The HD DVD promotions group corrects Home Media Magazine
by Ben Drawbaugh posted May 25th 2007 at 3:35PM
In last week's Home Media Magazine, there was an article stating that HD DVD would release a total of 800 titles in 2007. As much as HD DVD lovers everywhere would love to have that kind of selection, 240 titles in one month (December according to the article) is just too much for any format -- even the most devout HD DVD fanboy would have a hard time buying this many discs in one month. When questioned, the HD DVD promotions group cleared the confusion up. Basically the number HMM was using was based on yearly totals for each month, not the total releases for that month. The other crazy number from the article was the total number of Blu-ray tiles; which was 43. For those still scratching your head, there have already been more than 43 this year.
