Topic: Blu-ray Won, But the Public's Still Not Buying

[Clive]

Despite resolution of the standard battle, the high-def DVD players and discs are posting slow sales.
Reuters
Saturday, June 07, 2008 1:10 PM PDT

Consumer awareness about the Blu-ray high-definition DVD format is rising, but adoption of the technology still faces challenges, according to data released last week by research company NPD Group.

Until earlier this year, consumers seeking sharper movies on high-definition DVDs had to choose between two competing standards -- Blu-ray backed by Sony Corp and the rival HD DVD, backed by Toshiba Corp.

The standards war ended in February when Toshiba threw in the towel, but NPD said Blu-ray player manufacturers still face hurdles due to price and perceptions among consumers who are content with standard-definition DVD players and content.

Hollywood and consumer electronics makers are hoping the technology would ignite a slowing $24 billion home DVD market.

NPD said 45 percent of U.S. high-definition television owners now claim to be familiar with Blu-ray, up from 35 percent in June 2007.

While just 6 percent of all consumers surveyed said they plan to buy a Blu-ray device, 9 percent of high-definition TV owners plan to buy one in the next six months, NPD said.  An earlier NPD study had actually showed a drop in sales earlier in the year.

"With HDTVs now in approximately 40 million U.S. households, that percentage translates to a pool of almost 4 million potential BD (Blu-ray) player buyers," according to Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD.

Earlier in the week, Wal-Mart Stores Inc said it was now aggressively promoting sales of Blu-ray players by offering from June 8-14, a $100 Wal-Mart gift card with the purchase of any Blu-ray player in its stores.

Wal-Mart has also increased the brands of Blu-ray players it sells, adding Magnavox, Samsung and Panasonic, and will sell select Blu-ray movie titles for $15 starting June 8, including "3:10 to Yuma," "Shooter" and "300."

[Simon]

Personally, I am waiting for the current range of players to be updated, and for multi-region versions to become available, as the discs are very much cheaper to import from the US.  That said, I would also have to buy a new TV to get the fullest HD resolution, and as I have only had my current plasma for a couple of years, I think my journey into Blu-Ray may be a while off yet.

[sam]

to be honest dvds are fine for me, I dont see myself going out and buying them again...

[Rik]

Same here, Sam.

[GillE]

DVDs are good enough for me, too.

[Sandra]

I would agree that for most things a conventional DVD is fine but some of the nature programs are really amazing in HD.
I cant see most films and TV shows being worth the extra expense though.

[Reno]

Same. It just doesn't seem worth it to buy an expensive tv and dvd player just to watch a nature movie. I can get better resolution looking at grass by going outside.