Blu-ray Catching Up to HD DVD

For most of the current high definition disc war, HD DVD has held a distinct advantage over Blu-ray because of its generally lower prices.  Home theater enthusiasts could get their hands on a Toshiba HD A1 for only a few hundred bucks, while those wandering the aisles of Best Buy for a Blu-ray machine were asked for over a thousand big ones.  However, with the release of Blu-ray movies skyrocketing and the cost of the format's players dropping rather quickly, it's making up some serious ground on longtime leader HD DVD.

In the post-holiday weeks of January, Blu-ray actually outsold HD DVD in movie sales by two to one (first week) and then three to one (second week).  Anyone who has been keeping close tabs on the releases for each format knows that Blu-ray is simply receiving a bundle of flicks right now.  That can't be said for HD DVD, and the future looks no brighter.  In fact, just three movies – "The Departed," "Failure to Launch," and "Hollywoodland" – are coming to HD DVD in the next two weeks.

Despite the plethora of Blu-ray movies now available, there are still more HD DVD films on the market.  A source revealed that retailers list some 342 HD DVD flicks, with Blu-ray behind at 257.

The spike in Blu-ray presence may have something to do with the PlayStation 3.  Although Sony's console is largely considered a miserable failure to this point, with few games to play owners might actually be discovering the value of the high def player right under their noses.

If the PlayStation 3 actually pumps out some quality games and Blu-ray continues its movie release blitz, expect this format war to become a dead heat.

Shop now for Blu-ray Players
5 comments
Posted by J on February 8,2007 at 9:33 PM
It makes sense that the PS3 is a big mover of BR titles. If you were willing to spend 5-600 on a media gaming system then spending 20-30$ on a movie isn't a big deal.

My ps3 also came with $10 discounts for each major stuidos br movies. That could be driving sales also.

Posted by Mogbert on February 7,2007 at 11:49 AM
From what AOTS said yesterday, they messured sales over two weeks where the only new releases were two blu-ray discs (they also mentioned that Sony said the same thing about UMD). Also, I heard numbers asking in a poll about how many PS3 users have used it to play a BR disc. This would also be rediculous seeing how many PS3's were SOLD with BR discs.
Sony is just spinning the numbers and every proponent of every side has already claimed victory for one reason or another. Until these things become more popular, HD TV's become more standard, and a full featured dual format player becomes released, it will be premature.
Right now, both sides realize that appearing to win is important in getting more people who just want to be on the winning side, so both are just yelling "We won!" over and over just trying to win support.
Posted by xntrk on February 5,2007 at 2:23 PM
Sony lovers who own a PS3 knew what they were getting into when they dropped 800+ samolians on the long awaited gaming machine. It is definitely worth the cost, and the wait seeing as BR is pumping out all these titles. Now Sony needs to get on the ball and get these game developers to start pumping out kick-ass titles and not just launching the same old ports that EA dribbles out for all consoles.  I want to see Final Fantasy, Grand Tourismo, Siphon Filter, Valkyrie Profile, all revamped platform games, RPGs and Racing.  Make me proud you conglomerate socially capable entertainment gurus. *shakes fist at Sony*
Posted by WesleyTech.com on February 5,2007 at 11:32 AM
Hi there. I have also written about the latest upswing in Blu-ray sales. You might be interested in checking out my post here: http://wesleytech.com/blu-ray-outselling-hd-dvd/
Posted by PJ on February 5,2007 at 10:28 AM
I think you may be generous to HD-DVD by calling it a "dead heat" if Blu-ray is really outselling HD-DVD now by large and increasing margins every week. Overall things may just be evening out, but if that trend continues week-on-week, it'll be all over bar the shouting in the not too distant future.