“Transformers” Becomes Year’s Top-Selling DVD and the HD DVD Breaks High Definition Records October 22, 2007 6:18 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Blu-ray, DVD, DVD Sales, HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, Movies, News, Transformers.2 comments
The release of DreamWorks/Paramount’s Box office hit Transformers became the years top-selling DVD, selling 4.5 million units in its first day of release, and 8.3 million in its first week.
The HD DVD version sold 100,000 units in its first day, and 190,000 through one week to become the best-selling day one high definition title on either format (Blu-ray or HD DVD).
HD DVD and Blu-ray sales data January 8, 2007 3:47 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Blu-ray Disc, CES, Hardware Sales, HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, News.1 comment so far
In press releases during CES, both backers of HD DVD and Blu-ray have announced sales data for their respective formats. But there is no clear data on the Blu-ray side. (more…)
Toshiba announces 50GB HD DVD disc January 8, 2007 3:42 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in CES, HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, News.add a comment
Well, more like 51GB.
Toshiba, the main backer of the high-defintion HD DVD format, have announced that they have developed a new disc that is capable of holding 51GB of data. (more…)
Blockbuster will begin testing rentals and sales of High-Defintion DVDs November 5, 2006 1:06 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, Movies, News, Television.add a comment
Beginning this month Blockbuster, the nations largest rental outlet, will start testing high-definition dvd rentals and sales at about 250 of its stores, chosen by the basis of where early adopters are said to be.
The outlets will carry about 40 titles of each current high-def format; Blu-ray Disc and HD DVDs, with prices set at an equal setting.
“It’s a careful selection process,” Blockbuster spokesman Randy Hargrove said of store experiments. “We’re looking at DVD adoption rate and hardware penetration. We’ll continue to watch the market and monitor to see where additional expansion will be appropriate.”
High-definition rentals is not new to Blockbuster, as their Blockbuster Online brand has been offering both formats on their site for quite some time.
Warner Bros. Lowers High-Definition DVD Forecast October 9, 2006 8:00 am
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Blu-ray Disc, HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, Movies, News.add a comment
After a weaker than expected September in total sales for High-Definition hardware and software, Warner Bros. has halved their original sales estimate for the new medium.
Back in August of this year, they forecasted sales of $1.5-$1.9 billion in hardware and $500 million in software by years end. Because of the lower than expected September take (about $30 million, roughly half of what was expected) estimates have been revised downward to $750 million on hardware and $150 million for software.
Warner Halves High-Def Projections (Video Business)
Xbox 360 HD DVD Disc Drive – Price and Release Frame October 1, 2006 11:22 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in HD DVD, High Definition Optical Disc, Microsoft, Movies, Video Games, Xbox 360.3 comments
Microsoft has announced its price point ($199.99) and release frame (mid November) of its HD DVD Disc Drive for the Microsoft Xbox 360 Core or Premium Console.
The add-on device will be capable of outputting the formats full 1080p resolution, and will connect via USB 2.0.
At current prices, an Xbox 360, equipped with the required add-on to play the movies, will run anywhere from $499.99 to $599.99, the same price range as the formats competing Blu-ray technology from Sony.
This November, Sony will release the PS3 in two models, one for $499.99 and one for $599.99. Both models will be capable of playing back full 1080p Blu-ray movies.
Neither console will be capable of paying both formats.
Currently, Toshiba and RCA sell HD DVD units for $499.99 to $799.99, while Samsung has the only Blu-ray player out at $999.99.
More hardware manufactures are expected to release their own units come holiday season.
The Full Press Release is viewable below: