Blu-ray Player Sales Stalling May 02, 2008

Read more Blu-ray , Entertainment , Gizmodo UK , HD , HD DVD , HDTV , Home Cinema , Home Entertainment , PS3 , TV

It seems like the death of HD DVD and the end of the high-def movie format war hasn’t helped Blu-ray take off like a rocket after all.

Data from NPD Data in the US – a Blu-ray stronghold during the war – shows that even though the war ended, consumers haven’t raced out to buy standalone Blu-ray players. In fact, sales of players dropped off by an alarming 40% between January and February this year and only saw a 2% rise in March. The irony is that HD DVD player sales only dropped 13% between January and February – although they’ve dropped off a cliff since. The survey excluded PS3s.

Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis, NPD, commented:

"That standalone Blu-ray players haven't picked up significantly from HD DVD's loss shows that few consumers were dissuaded primarily by the 'format war'. When we surveyed consumers late last year, an overwhelming number of them said they weren't investing in a new next-generation player because their old DVD player worked well and next-generation players were too expensive. It's clear from retail sales that those consumer sentiments are still holding true."

The group pointed out that consumers seem to be buying into upscaling DVD players instead, with sales up 5% in Q1 2008, versus Q1 2007. Sales of regular DVD players have fallen 39% in the same period.

Blu-ray players could have made a killing in 2007 if player manufacturers – especially in the UK – hadn’t tried screwing consumers with players costing £800-1,000.

So, what route are you taking: upscaling DVD player, dedicated Blu-ray player or PS3?-Martin Lynch

[NPD]

blu-ray movies HDTV