HD DVD hardware has made a slight recovery in the US following the initial dip in the wake of Warner's Blu-ray-only announcement.

HD DVD player sales totaled about 33% of all high-definition standalone unit sales for the week ended 19 January, according to NPD Group data. Blu-ray held onto 63% of sales while dual-format players managed 4%.

The previous week's figures from NPD had reported that Blu-ray had enjoyed a 92% market share, although it was later revealed that these figures were leaked, and not meant for release due to high Blu-ray "free player" promotional activity. Toshiba's $100 to $200 price cuts on its HD DVD players came effective on 13 January, undoubtedly helping sales.

Toshiba will hope the upward momentum will continue – they spent a reported $2.7 million on an ad slot during the Super Bowl on Sunday, watched last year by 90 million Americans.

Amazon.com began offering 50 percent off more than 100 HD DVD titles in the latest high-definition price cuts.
Titles including Inside Man, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Van Helsing, and Lost in Translation have dropped to $14.95. Additionally, Amazon discounts the Toshiba HD-A3 HD DVD player to a rock-bottom $124.

Story filed 03.02.08