Just recently both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD have seen the release of some very big titles on their respective formats.

With Blu-Ray seeing the release of both Pirates of the Carribean The Curse of the Black Pearl and Dead Man's Chest. While HD-DVD saw the whole Matrix Trilogy brought into glorious 1080p through 2 different box sets.

Pirates ended up selling about 47,000 units where as Matrix saw only about 13,000 units sold.

That's a pretty big win for Blu-Ray and while the hype from recently released PoTC: At Worlds End definitely helped Blu-Ray's sales and the fact that the Matrix Trilogy sets also retailed for quite a bit more, this is still a big win for Blu-Ray.

In both units sold and dollars earned Blu-Ray came out on top this week.

Last week's sales estimates are in, and in terms of sheer unit sales, Disney's Blu-ray-only release of the first two "Pirates of the Caribbean" flicks handily beat Warner's HD DVD-only release of the two "Matrix" box sets.

According to market research estimates from Home Media Magazine, the two "Pirates" films sold a combined total of a little less than 47,000 units, while the "Matrix" sets sold about 13,900 units.

Since the "Matrix" sets sold at an cost of nearly three times that of the "Pirates" flicks, there's slighly more parity in terms of gross sales, but even there (as Blu-ray supporters have been quick to point out), "Pirates" gets the edge.

In comments first published in The Hollywood Reporter, Bob Chapek, worldwide president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment, called the week's win by "Pirates" a "strong and significant trend toward consumer preference for the Blu-ray Disc format."

"We are thrilled by the critical and industry response to 'Pirates' on Blu-ray disc," Chapek said. "But more importantly, the consumer has spoken loud and clear. This is only the beginning, but it was certainly a significant and explosive indicator of things to come."
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Most recently commented on by on Jun 8, 2007
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  • 0
    Jeterocks Jun 2, 07
    Just face it...blu-ray is the winner, end of stoy
  • 1
    Redemption Jun 2, 07
    I wonder what would have happened to Matrix sales if Matrix 4 was being released in June. Would this story read as "HD-DVD Reigns Supreme over Blu-Ray" later this year if, say LOTR or Star Wars were to be released as exclusives on HD-DVD?

    The war now boils down to content, and Blu-Ray has a distinct advantage due to the number of studios that are releasing content exclusively to Blu-Ray. I'd like to see a "true" war where more studios would release their movies in more than one camp.

    This is a true shame since HD-DVD players are so much cheaper. Of course I'm biased in this war since I have an HD-DVD drive and some of my friends have Toshiba players . But even to me its looking pretty grim for HD-DVD - I walk into a store and there's nothing to buy. I'm happily watching the GORGEOUS HD-DVD version of Planet Earth, but compared to Blu-Ray, HD-DVD has some slim pickings .
    • 0
      volacide Jun 2, 07
      Indeed, the only real way would be to see how much a Blu-Ray Matrix trilogy sold in the same amount of time.

      Honestly though, if you think about, I'm willing to bet that the Matrix Trilogy would sell better even at the higher retail value simply because more people have Blu-Ray players.

      I know I would snatch up the Matrix Trilogy Super-Fantastic-Ultimate Edition when it comes out on Blu-Ray.

      I'm pretty sure both Pirates and the Matrix Trilogy are coming out on both formats eventually. This was just a limited-time exclusive deal.
  • 0
    Guticb Jun 2, 07
    Of course HD-DVD has no movies. Sony owns half the freaking movie industry.
    • 0
      volacide Jun 2, 07
      Not even close, not even close.
  • 0
    Seeker X Jun 2, 07
    I gotta say, it is sorta unfair. You're comparing Jack Sparrow to godamn Neo.

    Constantine would've stood a better chance, seeing as "Reloaded" and "Revolutions" weren't acclaimed to be as epic as the first movie.
  • -3
    Reenee Jun 2, 07
    Old vs. New. This report fails. You're comparing something everybody already has versus something new.
  • 0
    Jeterocks Jun 2, 07
    does it really matter that much Reenee...Blu Ray has won...there is no way HD-DVD is going to magicly come back...
  • 0
    Kave En Jun 2, 07
    Yeah maybe it would've been closer if Matrix 4 had come out this year do doubt PoTC At worlds end help boost the Pirate's sales.
  • 0
    bbb7002004* Jun 2, 07
    Too many of the movie giants are pushing Blue ray for HD-DVD to have a chance. There are just not enough movies out for HD format.
  • 0
    ZL Jun 2, 07
    I honestly would've bought it in regular DVD format. Both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are equally matched. Blu-Ray has more storage while HD-DVD may be a little bit cheaper.
  • 0
    Mastix Jun 2, 07
    Seriously, I can't detect much difference in quality anyway. I'd just go for what's cheaper. Blu-ray just isn't worth it to me.
    • 0
      Guticb Jun 2, 07
      Maybe not now, but if HD-DVD won, we would need a new format in 3 damn years.

      If Blu-ray wins, which it will, we're safe for at least 10.
  • 0
    Infinite Jun 2, 07
    I'm not surprised to hear that Blu-ray beat HD-DVD. To be honest Blu-ray is the better of the two. Although it's unfair to compare the first two Pirates of the Caribbean movies to the Matrix trilogy because most people already own the Matrix trilogy on regular DVD format and probably wouldn't wanna waste money on getting them in HD-DVD if they already own them in regular DVD format.
  • 0
    Mario_1 Jun 2, 07
    Heh... Jack could kick Neo's ass anyday.
  • 0
    BANDITO ATTACK Jun 2, 07
    I can't afford either one. One of my TVs is black and white.
  • 0
    Supernouva Jun 3, 07
    You really can't judge which is a better disc format based on this. Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy is more popular now than the Matrix trilogy, which ended 'bout two years ago, while Dead Man's Chest was released on DVD not to long ago.
  • 0
    King X2 Jun 8, 07
    No doubt Pirates sold more. Pirates is very popular at the movies, and the recent movie was a hit, so people are thinking maybe the game will be a hit too. Haven't really been into the Matrix, though.

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