We need detailed offical number releases to see what is going on in the HDTV war

[HDTV1080P]

Perhaps both the HD-DVD and BLU-RAY camp want to keep the actual numbers a secret since there is a format war going on. Some numbers have been released from both sides but not all. It would be neat to see the following numbers reported every 90 days to see how each format is doing

• Number of standalone BLU-RAY players sold
• Number of standalone HD-DVD players sold
• Number of dual format Universal players sold
• Number of BLU-RAY PS3 videogame consoles sold
• Number of X-BOX 360 HD-DVD add on devices sold
• Number of BLU-RAY computer drives sold
• Number of HD-DVD computer drives sold
• Number of dual format Universal computer drives sold
• Total number of BLU-RAY movies sold
• Total number of HD-DVD format only discs sold (not including combo disc movies)
• Total number of HD-DVD combo discs sold
• Grand total of HD-DVD movies sold including combo discs
• Grand total of BLU-RAY devices sold (universal players not included in number)
• Grand total of HD-DVD devices sold (universal players not included in number)
• Grand total of Universal dual format devices sold

If we had these numbers available we could see which format is winning. With 6 million BLU-RAY PS3 videogame systems scheduled to have shipped by end of March worldwide it is clear that over all there are more BLU-RAY devices on the market then HD-DVD. BLU-RAY standalone players are most likely out selling HD-DVD standalone players now. The one problem with the HD-DVD combo disc concept is you do not know if people purchasing the combo discs actual own a HD-DVD player. With HD-DVD only movie discs (no combos) and the BLU-RAY movie discs one knows that everyone purchasing the disc is using the disc in a HDTV player of some type. If HD-DVD studios wanted to they could lower the price of the combo discs movies to the same price as DVD titles and then there would be way more movies sold on a combo disc then there are HD-DVD devices on the market. Many DVD owners might currently be purchasing many of the combo discs now thinking some how they will get HDTV quality on a standard DVD player. BLU-RAY could play that game and release combo discs. Combo discs add to the cost and is not necessary. Consumers that are educated on what they are buying will most the time only watch the HDTV version of the movie located on the combo HD-DVD/DVD disc.

[nhaase]

I'm not sure if you're correct in assuming more standalone BR players have been sold, since they cost, at the cheapest, $300 more than HD-DVD players. I really think the strength of BR is the PS3. With the combo discs, while I think some people buy them and watch the regular DVD version, I think they do this in anticipation of the format war's end. So if HD-DVD wins, they can buy a player for it and not have to re-buy the movie. I think most who buy this disc, however, are buying it for the HD-DVD version.

Still, I agree in wanting to see the figures you mentioned.

[ProvenFlipper]

Originally Posted by nhaase

I'm not sure if you're correct in assuming more standalone BR players have been sold, since they cost, at the cheapest, $300 more than HD-DVD players. I really think the strength of BR is the PS3. With the combo discs, while I think some people buy them and watch the regular DVD version, I think they do this in anticipation of the format war's end. So if HD-DVD wins, they can buy a player for it and not have to re-buy the movie. I think most who buy this disc, however, are buying it for the HD-DVD version.

Still, I agree in wanting to see the figures you mentioned.

Up until the end of the year, HD-DVD had only outsold BD players in standalone sales 52% to 48%. I am almost certain that BD standalones have eclipsed the sales of HD-DVD players at this point.

[frankc4s]

Originally Posted by nhaase

I'm not sure if you're correct in assuming more standalone BR players have been sold, since they cost, at the cheapest, $300 more than HD-DVD players. I really think the strength of BR is the PS3. With the combo discs, while I think some people buy them and watch the regular DVD version, I think they do this in anticipation of the format war's end. So if HD-DVD wins, they can buy a player for it and not have to re-buy the movie. I think most who buy this disc, however, are buying it for the HD-DVD version.

Still, I agree in wanting to see the figures you mentioned.

To give you some idea of the situation in the UK, to date HD-DVD has not sold more than 2000 players, Blu Rays stand alone player sales figures are reported to be around the 700 mark up to the same date.

The 23 rd March will see 300,000 PS3,s unleashed on the uk, demand has been high for the PS3 and the initial allocation is expected to sell out very quickly.

Anaylists in the UK have suggested by the end of April, all 300,000 will have been sold giving Blu Ray a hardware ration figure of something approaching 150:1.

hd-dvd is facing a massive uphill struggle to compete in the UK

[DTMoney84]

Originally Posted by frankc4s

To give you some idea of the situation in the UK, to date HD-DVD has not sold more than 2000 players, Blu Rays stand alone player sales figures are reported to be around the 700 mark up to the same date.

The 23 rd March will see 300,000 PS3,s unleashed on the uk, demand has been high for the PS3 and the initial allocation is expected to sell out very quickly.

Anaylists in the UK have suggested by the end of April, all 300,000 will have been sold giving Blu Ray a hardware ration figure of something approaching 150:1.

hd-dvd is facing a massive uphill struggle to compete in the UK

I think those UK numbers actually reflect the world wide numbers in general. I think they edge in hardware ratio will not be reflected in the sales figures right away as many PS3 buyers are getting it for the gaming aspect. However I'de say 2-3 months after the full 6 million PS3 player release the BD sales figures will really start to overwhelm the HD-DVD figures. HD-DVD is essentially a lost cause in Japan, Australia, and sounds like the UK as well and it is essentially losing ground by the week here in the US. Time is running out for the H-DUD camp.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by ProvenFlipper

Up until the end of the year, HD-DVD had only outsold BD players in standalone sales 52% to 48%. I am almost certain that BD standalones have eclipsed the sales of HD-DVD players at this point.

It would be nice to see a definitive number on that, since if you're right that would cancel the cost advantage HD-DVD says they have. Since they try to convice people towards their side by saying it's cheaper, if they were outsold by the more expensive player, it would show that people don't care about the price.