HD Digest: Netflix Consensus: Members Prefer HD-DVD

[J_UNTITLED]

From High Def Digest.com

- "A new report indicates that although only a tiny percentage of Netflix users are high-def early adopters, among them HD DVD appears to be favored over Blu-ray by a factor of more than two-to-one.

According to data released by web metrics site Compete.com (see chart below), out of an average 14 million monthly visitors to Netflix from June-August of 2007, only 48,000 (0.3%) viewed the site's genre pages for either HD DVD or Blu-ray.

Curiously, although those who looked at Blu-ray titles outnumbered those looking at HD-DVD by a factor of 1.8 to 1, among those who set an high-def format as their preferred disc format, HD-DVD was chosen over Blu-ray by a factor of 2.4 to 1.

Based on these numbers, Compete says those who looked at the HD-DVD genre were 4.4 times more likely than Blu-ray browsers to actually set this as their preferred format.

The numbers would appear to contradict recent statements made by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who said in a late August interview that customer demand for both formats at Netflix was "pretty evenly split."

Compete.com estimates US web traffic using a sample group of two million web users."

[darkpoet25]

I think that the reason being is in direct competition to the fact that Blockbuster stores went Blu Ray exclusive. They should see what BB online is like and do a competent comparsion between the two.

[fronn]

I imagine it has more to do with the fact that BR has a more casual userbase, while HD DVD is mostly just the hardcore movie lovers that bought into the first thing they could (much to the chagrin of HD DVD fans, BR is much closer to hitting the mass market customers than HD DVD likely ever will just because of the PS3 alone).

It's entirely to do with the fact that PS3 consumers (on average, that is -- there are those like me who buy tons of movies like it's a stand alone) buy a few movies here and there while the stand alone users are the ones renting and buying like mad -- there just happens to be tons more PS3 users than the entirety of the both HD DVD and BR stand alone user bases combined, so even if a small percentage buys a movie here and there, you end up with BR winning like it does.

I wouldn't think anything into it, it's pretty meaningless -- I imagine Blockbuster saw much higher BR rental rates than HD DVD (hence their decision) because the casual movie watcher doesn't have netflix, they go to Blockbuster once or twice a month and rent when they need.

It's the casual vs hardcore user debate.

[ADPNIGHTMARE]

Originally Posted by darkpoet25

I think that the reason being is in direct competition to the fact that Blockbuster stores went Blu Ray exclusive. They should see what BB online is like and do a competent comparsion between the two.

Agreed. this is part of the reason why I believe they are shifting to being more biased for HD-DVD...articles just like these

[Colorado Blu Skies]

According to data released by web metrics site Compete.com (see chart below), out of an average 14 million monthly visitors to Netflix from June-August of 2007, only 48,000 (0.3%) viewed the site's genre pages for either HD DVD or Blu-ray.

Curiously, although those who looked at Blu-ray titles outnumbered those looking at HD-DVD by a factor of 1.8 to 1, among those who set an high-def format as their preferred disc format, HD-DVD was chosen over Blu-ray by a factor of 2.4 to 1.

Based on these numbers, Compete says those who looked at the HD-DVD genre were 4.4 times more likely than Blu-ray browsers to actually set this as their preferred format.

I don't see anything about any actual rental numbers... just how many times somebody viewed a movie or what somebody "set" as their preferred HD format.

So if a customer at BB walked by HD DVD movies on their way to the SD section does that mean they prefer HD DVD?

[Rob Zuber]

Renting is for people who think the format may die.

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by Colorado Blu Skies

I don't see anything about any actual rental numbers... just how many times somebody viewed a movie or what somebody "set" as their preferred HD format.

So if a customer at BB walked by HD DVD movies on their way to the SD section does that mean they prefer HD DVD?

I agree. I have NetFlix and rent Blu-ray regularly. However, the setting to set the preferred format is obscure and I imagine not a lot of folks don't actually know they can select a preferrence and have that be the default format for their rentals. They should make the option more visible.

On the subject of Blockbuster funnelling away the Blu-Ray business from NetFlix, I pay $14 a month for NetFlix and rent probably 10-12 movies a month, 90% are Blu-Ray. I've rented from Blockbuster before, but they charge $4.99 per movie with a 2-day rental and late fees if I return late. At that rate, I'd only be able to rent 3 movies a month for the $15 I spend at Netflix. I only use Blockbuster as a backup plan if I'm really jones'n to watch a Blu-Ray.

[richard lichtenfelt]

Some people are probably going there by accident too just not noticing the hd in front of dvd, or thinking that this is some sort of dvd that will play in any player.

[UltimateFighter]

Those results don't sound scientific at all. Sounds like some BS poll.

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by Rob Zuber

Renting is for people who think the format may die.

Sure that is meant for a joke.. but damn I wish I could rent them Blu-ray disks were I live. I don't mind owning certain movies I love which I will watch over and over again but the majority of them I would just watch once and probably won't watch again. So renting would cover most of what I will end up watching. Almost everybody I know own a DVD player but very few actually buy and own DVD's which is what I believe will be the same for Blu-ray WHEN it gets mass adoption.

[WickyWoo]

It's obviously an HD financed report. Look at the cherry picking going on. How many people set their preference to HD DVD? Come ON.

The CEO says they're equal, who's more trustworthy?

[usps03]

Someone should post the link to that netflix page so we can change those figures...as missleading as they are. There must be a correlation between those figures and the reason why blockbuster employees have to ask you if you own a blu-ray player before they can complete your rental transaction. People want content in high definition but they know nothing about high definition. So it makes a lot of sense that the average person would choose hd-dvd on some web page as their preferred format since they only see the two words high and definition...duh. There should be a qualifying question before anyone can vote...such as: Do you own a Blu-ray player, an Hddvd player or a dvd player?

[ESUNintel]

The reason for that might be cause Blockbuster actually has BD's, so it's easier for us to visit Blockbuster than get stuff from Netflix (which many of you have said). The other reason might be cause we actually prefer to buy rather than rent, look at the numbers, Blu outsells HD-DVD 2:1, if not by more.

[hoser]

Originally Posted by Rob Zuber

Renting is for people who think the format may die.

Good point.

The fact that BD out SELLS the Dark Side by 2 to 1 shows what is the "preferred format."

What does the studios and CE manufacturers want more than anything else?
Yup, SALES...not rentals.

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by hoser

Good point.

The fact that BD out SELLS the Dark Side by 2 to 1 shows what is the "preferred format."

What does the studios and CE manufacturers want more than anything else?
Yup, SALES...not rentals.

But I look at the rental market as sort of a secondary market that will help sustain the format. I believe part of the reason for the success for DVD's is that it was adopted by most of the video shops. In general, I don't believe movies translate like music does for most people in that you watch/listen to them over and over. People on this board might be an exception.

I doubt either of my brothers own a DVD other then a few bought for the kids to watch. But they do rent DVDs to watch occasionally when they manage to find free time. Without a rental rental market, they will never adopt Blu-ray (or any other format). I think that will go for most of the population.

I just bought a PS3 today and ordered 3 movies online and bought 1 movie in a store. But the majority of the movies I won't want to own so will continue to rent them on DVD as I can not get Blu-ray rentals where I live. If I had a rental market here, I would have bought a player earlier this year.

[jedisinclair]

Originally Posted by Rob Zuber

Renting is for people who think the format may die.

Yep... I gave up my renting and use the money instead to BUY Blu-ray movies.

[patrick99]

Originally Posted by Colorado Blu Skies

I don't see anything about any actual rental numbers... just how many times somebody viewed a movie or what somebody "set" as their preferred HD format.

So if a customer at BB walked by HD DVD movies on their way to the SD section does that mean they prefer HD DVD?

This is the key problem with this report. Unfortunately, the casual reader is left with the highly misleading impression that actual rentals is what is being discussed.

[Memnoch]

What is this crap?

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...or_HD_DVD/1036

I was very suprised to read this. The numbers don't make much sense and it looks like someone just threw these figures together. What a load of crap!

[D1-2005]

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...or_HD_DVD/1036

the only good explanation for this is supporters of blu are buying discs because they know its a safe bet, and hd-dvd people just rent so they wont have money tied up in a losing format!

[oneaaron]

Originally Posted by D1-2005

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...or_HD_DVD/1036

the only good explanation for this is supporters of blu are buying discs because they know its a safe bet, and hd-dvd people just rent so they wont have money tied up in a losing format!

Well you might be right but it's not a good thing that netflix rents more HD DVD and at 2.4 to 1 no less.