JP
We know that Transformers really gave the HD DVD camp an edge with its record-braking first-week sales. However, we still don’t know exactly how well the format war is going. Sure, you can look at hardware sales, but with the inclusion of a Blu-ray drive in the PS3, those numbers will always be skewed. Thankfully Home Media Research has some solid numbers on actual high-def discs sold.
The sales numbers cover the first three quarters of 2007, which ranges from January 1 through September 30. Their study shows that Blu-ray is ahead by a large margin. I don’t think this is really going to come as much of a shock, as Blu-ray has been doing very well this year. The actual number of Blu-ray discs sold was 2.6 million, while only 1.4 million HD DVDs were sold.
Bear in mind that the recent release of Transformers was not taken into account for this study. However, with a strong start like this the HD DVD camp stands to gain some good ground during Q4. I think that the lower-priced hardware will prove to be key point in purchases this holiday season. HD DVD has the opportunity to make a big comeback here, however, if they can’t catch up to Blu-ray by the end of the season, I worry that margin between the two will only widen.
Blu-ray outsells HD-DVD in U.S. for first 9 Months [via i4u]
