Entries for the ‘News’ Category

Blu-ray Revenue Falls Further in the Week Ending August 17th

Posted in Market Share on August 27th, 2008 by Dave

hmm08.jpgAnother slow week for Blu-ray for the week ending August 17th, according to the report form Home Media Magazine.

While the market share versus DVD top 20 was back up to 8%, the revenue was down a further 10% to $6.19M, which is the lowest ever since HMM started reporting the revenue.

It goes to show that the revenue for Blu-ray in any given week depends strongly on new releases, since there is not the depth of catalog titles on the format at this stage.

The lack of hot new releases was highlighted by the Top 20 chart being headed up by Batman Begins - a catalog title that was released several weeks ago. The remainder of the top 5 were The Bank Job, 21, 10,000 B.C. and Jumper - none of which were new for the week.

In fact, as far as I can see there were no releases from August 12th in the top 20. I am kind of surprised that The Doors never made an appearance in the top 20, or even the top 20 market share by title.

The top 20 market share by title was headed up by Dark City - the only release to sell more copies on Blu-ray than DVD for the week.

Other titles in the 40% range were Top Gun and Starship Troopers.

Day and Date releases still selling in the 20%-30% range were I Am Legend, Jumper, 300, Doomsday and 10,000 B.C., while The Bank Job and Vantage Point were in the 16-17% range - still very good for recent Day and Date releases.

21 and Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay held the more typical Blu-ray share of 7%-8%, and Nim’s Island remains in the 2% range.

Criterion Collection, Incredible Hulk and Zombie Strippers Blu-ray Discs Now Available to Pre-order

Posted in Amazon Pre-orders, Studios, US Releases on August 27th, 2008 by Dave

bottlerocket.jpgQuite a number of anticipated titles have been freshly listed for pre-order at Amazon.

The first five eagerly anticipated Criterion Collection titles are up, with the typical Amazon discount bringing the price down to $27.95. Not bad considering that in DVD land, the Criterion titles have tended to carry a premium over regular titles - here the pricing is on a par with typical new releases from Paramount and Universal as well as most releases from Fox and MGM.

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Amazon Gold Box Playstation 3 Specials

Posted in Amazon, Players, Playstation 3 on August 26th, 2008 by Dave

gt5.jpgI know many Blu-ray enthusiasts have Playstation 3 systems for their Blu-ray player.

If you are one of these, you might want to keep an eye on the Amazon Deals today.

First up you can get Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for only $22.95 as the deal of the day.

Visit the page throughout the day to see other savings for your PS3.

New on Blu-ray Disc This Week

Posted in Studios, US Releases on August 26th, 2008 by Dave

nightmare.jpgAnother interesting week with new releases from studios big and small.

Perhaps of most interest, Walt Disney Studios is releasing The Nightmare Before Christmas.

This wonderful film from the imagination of Tim Burton is finally out in High Definition with loads of extras including Digital Copy. A must have in my opinion!

The Nightmare Before Christmas on Blu-ray Disc is only $27.95 at Amazon.

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Sherwood to Release a Pair of Blu-ray Players

Posted in Players on August 26th, 2008 by Dave

sherwood.jpgThe choices for Blu-ray players will become even wider with the release of Sherwood Blu-ray players later this year, according to TWICE.

The Blu-ray players are the BDP-6003 ($499 retail), due for release in September, and the BDP-5003 ($299 retail), due October 2008.

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The Incredible Hulk US Blu-ray Release

Posted in BD Live, Studios, US Releases on August 26th, 2008 by Dave

incrediblehulk.jpgI read over at DVD Times that the details for the US release of The Incredible Hulk have been announced.

Universal Studios Home Video will release the US release The Incredible Hulk Blu-ray on October 21st priced at $39.98. The movie features Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and William Hurt.

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Austin Power Box Set Destined for Blu-ray Disc

Posted in Amazon Pre-orders, Studios, US Releases on August 25th, 2008 by Dave

austinpowers.jpgSome great news for fans of Mike Meyers.

New Line Home Video has Austin Powers Collection coming to Blu-ray on December 2nd, 2008.

The set will contain the three Austin Powers movies in a Shagadelic Edition, loaded with extra mojo.

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Import Watch UK: Mamma Mia!, Colour of Magic and The Lost Prince On UK Blu-ray

Posted in Amazon UK Pre-order, International Releases, Studios on August 25th, 2008 by Dave

mammamia.gifThe Abba-centric Mamma Mia! has been listed by Universal Pictures UK for Blu-ray release on November 24th, 2008.

This is a movie of the musical that is based on the songs of Abba.

The Lost Prince has been scheduled by 2 Entertain Video for release on October 27th, 2008.

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Wall-E Coming in 2 Disc and 3 Disc Blu-ray Editions

Posted in Amazon Pre-orders, BD Live, Studios, US Releases on August 24th, 2008 by Dave

wall-e.jpgAfter listing both 2 and 3 Disc Editions for Prince Caspian, it looks like Disney is doing the same for Wall-E.

The Wall-E standard 2 Disc Edition will be released by Walt Disney Video on November 18th, 2008.

Retail will be $35.99, only $24.95 at Amazon.

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Universal Gangsters Blu-ray Giftset Listed

Posted in Amazon Pre-orders, Studios, US Releases on August 23rd, 2008 by Dave

casino.jpgYesterday I mentioned to expect the three Universal gangster titles would come in a box set.

Lo and behold - today the giftset is also listed.

Universal Home Video will be releasing the Gangsters Giftset on Blu-ray Disc on October 14th, 2008.

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