Hollywood Reporter has a new article with more accurate statistics demonstrating the rise in Blu-ray sales relative to the DVD counterparts of recent titles.

According to Nielsen First Alert data, No Country for Old Men sold 9.8% of its total sales from Blu-ray Disc its first five days in stores. Fox’s Hitman, also released March 11 generated 12.6% of its total unit sales from Blu-ray.

By comparison, while the format war was raging, unit sales of high-definition discs, either Blu-ray or HD DVD, generally accounted for no more than 2%-3% of a title’s sales.

Fox’s The Simpsons Movie generated just 2.8% of its total sales from Blu-ray, while the Blu-ray version of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, from Walt Disney Studios, accounted for 3.7% of total sales.

With the format uncertainty over, Michael Clayton generated 5.5% of its total first-week sales from Blu-ray. Sony’s 30 Days of Night, released Feb. 26, gained 8.9% of its total unit sales from the Blu-ray version.

Studios are keen to derive a greater chunk of their sales from Blu-ray because of the price differential - on average a Blu-ray Disc sells for $10 more than the DVD counterpart.

In the latest Home Media Magazine we see that Buena Vista Home Entertainment is getting serious about spreading the Blu-ray word to retailers.

In a two page spread, BVHE claims that in 2008 Blu-ray will be a billion dollar business and encourages retailers to grab their fair share.

The advertisement notes that, no doubt due to the higher retail pricing of Blu-ray Disc, the average Blu-ray purchase is 170% larger than for DVD - $162 compared to $60.

Along with these interesting statistics, BVHE offers training kits and retail associate training discs, demo discs and brochures, while showing a picture of a Blu-ray kiosk. The also point the way to www.RetailBlu.com. The page is rounded out with a showcase of current and future high impact Buena Vista Blu-ray titles.

We have a few new titles made available for pre-order this weekend.

Perhaps the first title to show up for Surround Records, we see Grieg - Piano Concerto / Symphonic Dances / In Autumn - Acoustic Reality Experience with a street date of April 25th, 2008. I am always excited to see esoteric releases from the ’small guys’.

From the not so small guys, Buena Vista Home Video has the M. Night Shyamalan film Signs and the Al Pacino, Colin Farrell match up The Recruit on June 3rd, 2008.

Lastly if rock music is your bag, you will be happy to see that Concert Hot Spot has more Blu-ray music coming your way on the shape of Carnival of Sins- Motley Crue Live on April 29th, 2008 and Ozzfest: 10th Anniversary on May 6th, 2008.

Video Business is reporting an interesting fact for the Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment March 11 release of No Country for Old Men.

Retailers report that the title is generating 10% to 15% of its sales on Blu-ray, which is higher than the average 5% to 10% on major day-and-date DVD/BD new release.

DeepDiscount.com, Newbury Comics and Virgin Megastores all report No Country skewing higher Blu than other titles.

“We’re seeing key new release titles on Blu-ray, like No Country, exceed 10% of total sales,” said Chris Anstey, Virgin senior product manager. “This trend will continue on new releases as the format gradually comes into its own.”

We see some interesting new titles available for pre-order at Amazon today.

Magnolia has a new title coming - The Signal will be released June 10th, 2008 - Day and Date with DVD. While there are few details on this Horror/Sci-Fi/Thriller title, it is good to see Magnolia back in the game after quite an absence. Amazon list the title for $23.95.

Back in the main stream we have a twin pack - National Treasure 1 & 2 - from Disney. Both discs include a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer and an uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround track (at 48kHz/24-bit) and are loaded with extras. Amazon’s price ($48.95) suggests it is better to get National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets as individual items (2 x $23.95 = $47.90), assuming there is no bonus in the 2 pack.

Lionsgate are releasing Weeds Season 3 on June 3rd, 2008, also Day and Date with the DVD. Tech specs include 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and uncompressed PCM 7.1 Surround audio. The extras include audio commentaries on eight episodes, pop-up trivia tracks on seven episodes, three making-of featurettes, a gag reel, musical montage and a ‘Weeds’ soundtrack sampler.