How Many DVD Titles Where There In 1999-2000 In The US?

[RustyK94]

There's only like 1000 titles available on Blu-Ray in the US. Im curious to know how many DVDs there where in 1999-2000.

[Carlsberg19]

Good question, i 2 would like to know this

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by RustyK94

There's only like 1000 titles available on Blu-Ray in the US. Im curious to know how many DVDs there where in 1999-2000.

Why did you choose 99-2000?

[JessR]

let me guess, 10k

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

Why did you choose 99-2000?

Probably because Blu-ray has been out for about 2.5 years and he's looking to see what DVD's numbers were at around 2.5 years from launch.

[Tempest]

DVD didn't have a huge format war like we had though.. so REALLY blu ray has only been a single format since earlier this year..
At the very end of 1998 (beginning of 1999) there was only 2500 titles on dvd (see below in history) I would compare this value to however many Blu Ray's are out by this time next year.. which could be about the same.

Some History on DVD:
#######################

http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/DVD-History/

DVD Players and discs became available in March 1997. The initial players were about $1,000 each. Only 36 movies were released in the first wave, and they were available only in seven cities nationwide (Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.) until August 1997 when the full release began. After a somewhat rocky start (much had to do with agreements on copy protection to get the movie companies to go along, and there was a lack of titles available in the beginning), DVD has become an incredible success. It will continue to grow as DVD moves from a read-only to a fully rewritable consumer as well as computer device.


http://www.entmerch.org/industry_history.html

April 1998 – Netflix launches the world's first online DVD rental service, offering more than 900 titles.

November 1998 – Amazon.com opens its virtual video store, with more than 60,000 theatrical and general-interest videos and more than 2,000 DVDs.

April 1999 – Titanic is the first motion picture DVD to ship one million units.


http://www.ce.org/Press/CEA_Pubs/929.asp

DVD was not an immediate success. The laserdisc was the format of choice for early adopters and not all Hollywood studios wanted to commit themselves to yet another new video format, especially one co-owned by a competitor. It took a few years before all the major studios adopted the DVD format, with Paramount, Fox and Disney being the final holdouts.

Despite the DivX controversy, 1998 proved to be the breakthrough year for DVD. Approximately 23 million players were shipped and nearly 2,500 titles were available by the end of the year. In 1997, video retail giant Blockbuster began renting DVDs. In 2001, dollar sales of DVDs surpassed that of VHS. In late 2001, several DVD titles including "Shrek" earned more in DVD sales in their initial release weekend than in their initial theatrical weekends.

[Stubblecat]

You also have to remember that DVD was visibly leaps and bounds better than VHS when it debuted back in '97.

There wasn't a huge push for consumers to buy new TVs and surround units, either.

With the exception of the laserdisc crowd, like myself, DVDs offered something consumers had never seen before like audio commentaries, special features, widescreen editions and even the humble chapter stops.

In comparison, Blu-Ray requires a lot more to get the benefit of its design, and the general public doesn't see picture and sound upgrades as a compelling reason to start buying their movies all over again.

It'll be steeper hill to climb, but once cable providers go digital next year the ball will probably start rolling getting Joe The Plumber to upgrade.

[RustyK94]

Originally Posted by Tempest

DVD didn't have a huge format war like we had though.. so REALLY blu ray has only been a single format since earlier this year..
At the very end of 1998 (beginning of 1999) there was only 2500 titles on dvd (see below in history) I would compare this value to however many Blu Ray's are out by this time next year.. which could be about the same.

Some History on DVD:
#######################

http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/DVD-History/

DVD Players and discs became available in March 1997. The initial players were about $1,000 each. Only 36 movies were released in the first wave, and they were available only in seven cities nationwide (Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.) until August 1997 when the full release began. After a somewhat rocky start (much had to do with agreements on copy protection to get the movie companies to go along, and there was a lack of titles available in the beginning), DVD has become an incredible success. It will continue to grow as DVD moves from a read-only to a fully rewritable consumer as well as computer device.


http://www.entmerch.org/industry_history.html

April 1998 – Netflix launches the world's first online DVD rental service, offering more than 900 titles.

November 1998 – Amazon.com opens its virtual video store, with more than 60,000 theatrical and general-interest videos and more than 2,000 DVDs.

April 1999 – Titanic is the first motion picture DVD to ship one million units.


http://www.ce.org/Press/CEA_Pubs/929.asp

DVD was not an immediate success. The laserdisc was the format of choice for early adopters and not all Hollywood studios wanted to commit themselves to yet another new video format, especially one co-owned by a competitor. It took a few years before all the major studios adopted the DVD format, with Paramount, Fox and Disney being the final holdouts.

Despite the DivX controversy, 1998 proved to be the breakthrough year for DVD. Approximately 23 million players were shipped and nearly 2,500 titles were available by the end of the year. In 1997, video retail giant Blockbuster began renting DVDs. In 2001, dollar sales of DVDs surpassed that of VHS. In late 2001, several DVD titles including "Shrek" earned more in DVD sales in their initial release weekend than in their initial theatrical weekends.

Thanks for the info.

So........Blu-Ray is actually doing worse in comparison to DVD.

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by RustyK94

Thanks for the info.

So........Blu-Ray is actually doing worse in comparison to DVD.

No.. I wouldn't say that at all.. players and discs are becoming cheaper faster than DVD ever did. Considering that Blu Ray has only been the only hd format for a few months

DVD: Aug/97 -> Apr/98 - 9 Months - Netflix had about 900 dvd titles.
BLU: Mar/08 -> Nov/08 - 9 Months - Netflix has at least 800 or so Blu titles and there is over 1000 total out there.

Considering you have to have a HD TV as well to go BLu I would say Blu Ray is doing quite well.

2009 will be quite the BLU year... look at how the BD Players are nearly the number 1 item this x-mas and prices on players and discs are coming way down. Players were at $128 and discs were as low as $5 !!!

I just bought all 6 James Bond Movies on Blu Ray from Amazon for $4.99 each (no tax/no shipping.. just $4.99 each)

You know once players drop a little more and discs come down in price that they will totally own DVD in no time.

[RustyK94]

Originally Posted by Tempest

No.. I wouldn't say that at all.. players and discs are becoming cheaper faster than DVD ever did. Considering that Blu Ray has only been the only hd format for a few months

DVD: Aug/97 -> Apr/98 - 9 Months - Netflix had about 900 dvd titles.
BLU: Mar/08 -> Nov/08 - 9 Months - Netflix has at least 800 or so Blu titles and there is over 1000 total out there.

Considering you have to have a HD TV as well to go BLu I would say Blu Ray is doing quite well.

2009 will be quite the BLU year... look at how the BD Players are nearly the number 1 item this x-mas and prices on players and discs are coming way down. Players were at $128 and discs were as low as $5 !!!

I just bought all 6 James Bond Movies on Blu Ray from Amazon for $4.99 each (no tax/no shipping.. just $4.99 each)

You know once players drop a little more and discs come down in price that they will totally own DVD in no time.

Yes i know i just can't wait for the day when we see at long last Blu-Ray become more successful than DVD. I every bit of faith it will and when it does im going to rub a few ppls faces in it.

[dv8pdx]

Originally Posted by Tempest

DVD didn't have a huge format war like we had though.. so REALLY blu ray has only been a single format since earlier this year...

But DVD did have a huge format war at the begining, DIVX vs DVD. I remember this well because several studios were DIVX only, like Dreamworks, 20th Century Fox & Paramount - I wanted the Alien films on DVD but they were only on DIVX, granted the DIVX movies were only $4.99 to buy, you could play them for 48 hours but you had to pay to unlock them if you wanted to keep them and had to be hooked up to a telephone line. DIVX discontinued in June 1999. Paramount made the switch to DVD first on April 20th 1999. Dream, Fox held on to the end.
Another failed Ciruit City idea!! Over 2500 DVD titles were available as of April 1999 and about 4500 DVD titles were available at the end of 1999. Big jump after DIVX died.

Edit: Its funny now to look at the old ads... "Now available on VHS and DVD!!"

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by dv8pdx

Edit: Its funny now to look at the old adds... "Now available on VHS and DVD!!"

We should start a thread on just that.. would be funny to see old ads with dates..

[Russell_L]

Originally Posted by Tempest

April 1999 – Titanic is the first motion picture DVD to ship one million units.

December 2008 - The Dark Knight is the first motion picture Blu-ray Disc to ship one million units.

[Blu Man]

A lot. Oh, Do you like pie?
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...93#post1365893

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by dv8pdx

But DVD did have a huge format war at the begining, DIVX vs DVD. I remember this well because several studios were DIVX only, like Dreamworks, 20th Century Fox & Paramount - I wanted the Alien films on DVD but they were only on DIVX, granted the DIVX movies were only $4.99 to buy, you could play them for 48 hours but you had to pay to unlock them if you wanted to keep them and had to be hooked up to a telephone line. DIVX discontinued in June 1999. Paramount made the switch to DVD first on April 20th 1999. Dream, Fox held on to the end.
Another failed Ciruit City idea!! Over 2500 DVD titles were available as of April 1999 and about 4500 DVD titles were available at the end of 1999. Big jump after DIVX died.

Edit: Its funny now to look at the old adds... "Now available on VHS and DVD!!"

I agree, the DIVX and DVD war was just as big as the HD / BD War. I think alot of people have forgotten that or were too young. There was a time when we thought DVD just might not win. I will never forget my first DVD was "Man in the Iron Mask" and I think I got it in FEB 98....I had 50+ DVD's before I even had a player. But that was back in the day when they were trying to really push DVD and there were great deals everywhere.

[RustyK94]

Originally Posted by Spartan54

A lot. Oh, Do you like pie?
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...93#post1365893

Can't seem to see the pie

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

I agree, the DIVX and DVD war was just as big as the HD / BD War. I think alot of people have forgotten that or were too young. There was a time when we thought DVD just might not win. I will never forget my first DVD was "Man in the Iron Mask" and I think I got it in FEB 98....I had 50+ DVD's before I even had a player. But that was back in the day when they were trying to really push DVD and there were great deals everywhere.

LOL Hardly. DIVX was only available in 1 store (Circuit City) and only in the US. HD DVD was worldwide...

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

LOL Hardly. DIVX was only available in 1 store (Circuit City) and only in the US. HD DVD was worldwide...

Yeah and it gave DVD a run for its money.....some studios were only supporting DIVX. I remember all the flame wars on "DVD Talk."

[Joe Cain]

Originally Posted by RustyK94

There's only like 1000 titles available on Blu-Ray in the US. Im curious to know how many DVDs there where in 1999-2000.

5000 titles were available on DVD in January 2000 (and 10,000 in April 2001).

[dv8pdx]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

LOL Hardly. DIVX was only available in 1 store (Circuit City) and only in the US. HD DVD was worldwide...

I don't think you were paying attention back then. DIVX was available in more than one store. It was a joint development with a California Entertainment Law Firm, Digital Video Express AND Circuit City who also carried the DIVX players. It was also available at Good Guys, Ultimate, Future Shop, Dow Stereo/Video, Nationwide, and Sixth Avenue. It was a nasty war and DIVX almost won because it could play regular DVD too, DVD players could not play DIVX and the Studios support was split between the two as well. You have to remember back then, we didn't have the internet like we do today, so no looking on amazon or eBay for great deals, stores like Walmart and Kmart didn't have super deals like today, nor did they start selling the players until the prices dropped. If you wanted electronics, you went to Circuit City, The Good Guys, Best Buy, The Future Shop etc to get your toys. It was a close call with half the industry supporting a player that played both AND rented movies in its machine, and the other half supporting DVD that just played DVD's but had all these extra features. Price was also a big issue. DIVX players were only $499 while DVD players were between $400 and $1,000. Remember it was a rental world back then, with 1,000's of ma & pa video stores. I remember I bought a DVD player in 1997 and was thinking did I buy the wrong player... If it proves anything, the number of DVD titles almost doubled from 2500 in Apr/99 to 4500 in Dec/99 after DIVX lost and the DIVX supporting studios pumped out DVD's. There are tons of articles on the web about how close the war was. Just search DIVX vs DVD war. You can see how the consumers were split between the two as well. Im glad I chose right back then and again with Blu. Many thanks to Bill Hunt at the digital Bits that followed both and helped me choose right both times. Maybe thats 3 times actually... I talked my parents to by a VHS VCR in 1978 over a Betamax. Damn that thing was $1200 bucks too back then (but Bill didn't help on that one... he was still a tot like me).