According to Video Business, Spiderman III Blu-Ray has failed to beat Transformers HD-DVD in "one week" sales. Transformers HD-DVD stormed out of the gate to 190,000 in one week sales according to Paramount. Spiderman III Blu-Ray has apparently sold 130,000 copies in the first 6 days of sales. 130k is a damn good number for an early format to generate but the fact that the VERY popular title that set Box Office Records this past summer with over 150 million in the first three days could not beat out Transformers HD-DVD which has a MUCH smaller hardware install base. This has to be VERY disturbing to Sony and the Blu-Ray Group. With tons of HD-DVD Players sold last week, HD-DVD software sales will continue to increase. Now, many have disputed Paramounts claims of 190k in the first week. So, I say that we take off 50k of sales which means that Transformers is still the winner at 140k to 130k and again HD-DVD has the MUCH smaller hardware install base. What happen to all of those titles that the delusional PS3 Blu-Ray loving fan was suppose to buy? I tell you what happened, it is called "GAMES". With COD4 available on PS3 this week in addition to Guitar Hero III last week, many gamers are too wrapped up in gaming to watch movies or share their PS3 with others....

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"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472

While I appreciate the post, because it spurs discussion, frankly, I think these "facts" can be spun any number of ways to support the side of either format. I mean, so what? Not everyone that buys a hi-def player is interested in the kind of special effects laden action film represented by Spidey or Transformers. And even if they were, judging the sales of two different movies on two different formats isn't really a fair comparison. Do we know which sold more on DVD? If it was Spidey, OK. If not, then again, who cares.

At the end of the day, this is another interesting tid-bit...sure. But is it an indication that one side or the other is winning? Probably not.

All that aside, any bets as to when a clear winner emerges? Mid Q4? Q1 of next year?

And, your personal preference for HD-DVD aside, if the facts ultimately support Blu-Ray as the winner, will you acknowledge that and jump aboard, or are you going to go down with the ship? (I'd ask the same of the other side.)

This is HUGE because the reason these studios chose to go with Blu-Ray only was because of SALES numbers they could achieve. This proves that the PS3 is not the Trojan horse that SONY told everyone it would be. At this point HD-DVD is NOT going down to Blu-Ray. If the software numbers continue to change, it means everything. Remember, Home Player adoption always shapes the market and not a game console.

BTW: I am partial to HD-DVD because they provided the BEST format at the BEST price FIRST. Blu-Ray is simply a copy cat at this point and YES, I will go DOWN with the ship (I have strong convictions as I do not say one thing and do another). Hell I only have 6 Blu-Ray titles now compared to my 50+ HD-DVD titles. I am a TECHNOLOGY PERSON, I live and breathe the stuff (as I work in industry). I am all about the BEST product not the BEST MARKETING!

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"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472

So when do you think we'll see a clear winner? Mid Q4? Q1? Q2?

I believe it could be sometime in Q2 or Q3.. This does depend on WB's decision but I really believe this start to come to an end (hopefully).

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"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472

A few interesting articles I know you will appreciate:

http://www.economist.com/science/dis...ory_id=9689600

http://www.contentagenda.com/blog/15...170013317.html

Nice find dude..

Those are good and very level headed..

Be patient.. I will wait till after Shrek ships next week to write the next opinion article. By this time, all of the major Holidays have shipped: Transformers, Shrek, Spiderman III, Cars and Ratoutille. In addition it will mark the beginning of the holiday season..

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"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472

In terms of Spiderman 3 by itself, yes, it has sold 130,000. But if you go read look at other websites, it shows that the 130k number is for the standalone movie, it does NOT include the Spiderman trilogy package.

According to Nielsen's
NXTbook flash detection page

It shows that the Spiderman trilogy sold approximately 72% of Spiderman 3, which equates to approximately 93,000 units of the trilogy sold.

130,000 + 93,000 is well over the 190,000 that Transformers pulled.

And in any case, it looks like Paramount lied about the Transformers number anyways, sources stating that it actually only sold 115,000 units, and Nielson's numbers report less than that.

Amen. Its all just more spin.

Nice try guys.. Trilogys do not count was individual sales.. Bottom line is the format with the MASSIVE install base is NOT moving the titles it should. This is a FACT and not a spin.. And as I mentioned, take away 40 to 50k and the Transformers STILL performed very well for it's install base..

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"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472