Blu-ray disc shortage predicted

Global demand for Blu-ray media is expected to exceed supply this year, now the battle between the format and HD-DVD is done.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=20944

In a similar statement - HD VMD recently made a press statement to stop a rumor. In their statement they said

Quote:
The blue laser format has struggled to gain a market foothold and very few manufacturers have acquired the equipment needed to produce 'blue' players and discs. With a market lifespan being shortened by satellite, cable and download, the significant investment required to produce them makes economic viability difficult for manufacturers, particularly in less affluent markets where the high street price will always have to be much lower.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080407/3630289en_public.html?.v=1

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[Post edited by Scotsman on Apr 9, 2008]

I don't see any empty slots coming anytime soon to any Blu-ray shelf I've seen.

It is only if demand reaches expected levels - that's a big if

Well, if there is shortage of BD any where then all you need to do is come to my BB store here in Columbia, SC. They have more than enough.

-JS
"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good."
- Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

spreading FUD again

I agree with Jono, whoever wrote the original article is truly spreading FUD in order to draw people into thinking BD will have a shortage so people buy BD. I bet somebody on the BD group (maybe Sony) starting this rumor as a marketing technique (Little FUD of my own, lol).

Quote:
spreading FUD again

I did say only if demand grows as expected - I don't believe it will - so even I disagree with the article.

Not possible. I think when we see sales for 2008, there will be a noticeable, but underwhelming increase in Blu sales. It's still a niche market, and will be for quite a while - possibly for a long while. I'm not putting down Blu - it took a while, but with 2.0 it looks like they are finally firing on all cylinders, and I'm looking forward to picking one up to go along with my HD DVD player (which I still love). I still think that HD discs will only matter to a small segment of the population until the time comes when someone going out to buy a player can look at the upconverting player for $80, and the Blu player for $110 beside it, and justify the upgrade.

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[Post edited by interplanetaryspy on Apr 10, 2008]

I agree.Laserdisc part duex.

Here's an industry report about Blu-ray player 'shortages' in some areas...

> After Format War, Number of Blu-ray Ads Drop - Companies Blame PLAYER SHORTAGES

EXCERPT from the articles' last half...

Panasonic and other manufacturer sources, however, believe any advertising decline has the most to do with current supply shortages of BD players.

Manufacturers did not anticipate that the format war would end this soon and were not prepared for the resulting heightened demand from consumers to buy BD hardware.

“Panasonic didn’t expect Toshiba to pull the plug on that particular day, and now there is more demand for Blu-ray, and we and other brands are reacting to that,” said Panasonic senior group manager Tony Jasionowski. “We’re trying to get more product out. We are on top of this and have made our factory in Japan aware of this in order to increase the availability of product.”

Jasionowski said any supply shortages should be remedied soon.

“The companies are reacting right now, and within the month, you’ll see increased supplies,” he said.

David Workman, executive director of consumer electronics buyer PRO Group, reports that his retail clients are likewise having problems keeping customers satisfied with BD products.

“Pretty much everybody is experiencing shortages—for high-end players from Pioneer or down the line to Sony’s [entry-level] player,” Workman said. “Normally, if they had something to sell, you’d see more marketing out there. You’d be telling people that the format war is over. Blu-ray should represent one of the top growth categories for the year, but you have to have it to sell.” -[END]-

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

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“Panasonic didn’t expect Toshiba to pull the plug on that particular day, and now there is more demand for Blu-ray, and we and other brands are reacting to that,”

The fact BD went to market in a unfinished state was blamed on Toshiba and HD-DVD. Now these shortages are being blamed on Toshiba.

Why do they have to attribute blame on anyone but themselves?

Well, you make some sense Scotsman, but apparently the Blu-ray camp was still surprised and caught without strong inventory of SA players in relation to the new demand. However, I believe the popular PS3 has not had the shortage problems, continues to sell well overall (strong competition from Wii and XBox 360), and is still the best value available for a Blu-ray machine - and without some of the glitches experienced with the Samsung players (which now have been improved with recent firmware updates).

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

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Well, you make some sense Scotsman

Doesn't happen often

Speaking of the Wii - I see the BBC has done a deal with Nintendo to bring the iPlayer to the console.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7338344.stm

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[Post edited by Scotsman on Apr 11, 2008]

LH

Your link was an interesting read however it dealt with player shortage and not media shortages due to capacity stemming from lack of pressing facilities.

As I said I'm not sure the uptake of BD will be quick enough for any shortages but if it is - this could be a serious issue for the BD camp.

Not Another Dumb blu-ray thread!!!