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Sales for stand-alone Blu-ray disc players kept a lead over the HD DVD format in the latest weekly tally of high-definition hardware sales.

The Digital Bits last week reported that Blu-ray player sales recorded an 82 percent share in the week ending Jan. 27. HD DVD recorded the remaining 18 percent, citing data from Nielsen VideoScan.

By comparison, HD DVD held a market share of 34.37 percent the week prior, according to NPD Group Inc.

Toshiba in Jan. price cut all stand alone HD DVD Players following an announcement from Warner Bros. that it will produce high-definition content exclusively on Sony Corp.’s Blu-ray disc.

Circuit City told Punch Jump in Jan. that it experienced strong HD DVD sales and will continue to sell HD DVD product at retail.

However, U.K. based retailer Woolworths in Jan. said that it will cease to offer HD DVD titles in favor of Blu-ray disc titles.

Retailers are holding multiple promotion to spur the sale of high-definition content.

Amazon this week slashed 50 percent off more than 100 HD DVD titles.

Best Buy this week is selling select Blu-ray disc titles for $14.99.

Circuit City on Sun. began offering a Toshiba Satellite laptop with a built-in HD DVD drive, a free Bourne Ultimatum on HD DVD format, and a wireless router for $799.98 after rebates.