Blu-ray starts to sting HD DVD

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 06 February 2007 16:07

Your IT - Home IT

Thanks largely to the release of the Sony PlayStation 3 console, Blu-ray high definition video sales in the US have dramatically outstripped the rival HD DVD format in the opening weeks of 2007.

While the PS3 has made a less than auspicious debut in the consoles space, the impact of nearly 700,000 Blu-ray players hitting the market within the space of a few weeks has hit the HD DVD cause where it hurts - at the cash register.

According to figures from Nielsen VideoScan, Blu-ray titles outsold HD DVD discs by just under three to one. What's more, after enjoying a seemingly unassailable lead because of its early entry into the market and much cheaper players than Blu-ray, HD DVD has given all of that lead and it's game on.

While HD DVD was being touted early on as a natural progression from DVD technology, it is is now being described as a transitional technology, a kind way of saying a bridge to the real HD technology of the future, Blu-ray.

One of the key issues with Blu-ray hardware was the relatively high cost of the players, which were roughly double that of their HD DVD equivalents. However, Blu-ray technology sponsor Sony believed it could overcome this hurdle by coupling the technology with its subsidised PS3 console, which effectively brought the price down to HD DVD levels.

While gamers complain about the high cost of PS3 as a console, HD video enthusiasts have no such issues. Movie studios also have no issues with Blu-ray and are bringing out titles in increasing numbers.

With its Lithium Ion battery issues and PS3 production problems, Sony had a horror year in 2006. However, if early Blu-ray HD disc sales are any indication for Sony, 2007 may well bring on the sunshine through the clouds.