Blu-ray player sales unaffected by HD DVDs demise

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New stats shows that set-top player Blu-ray player sales were unaffected in the months following HD DVD's demise.

"That standalone Blu-ray players haven't picked up significantly from HD DVDs loss shows that few consumers were dissuaded primarily by the "format war," said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis, NPD Group.

The sales of Blu players dropped 40% from January to February and only had a 2% increase from February to March.

HD DVD dropped 13% from January to February and 65% from February to March. A result of Toshiba discontinuing the production of HD DVD players.

A important factor for adoption is price and NPD believes that not cutting prices before late 2008 or the start of 2009 may hurt adaptation more than anticipated especially with a hurting US economy.

Rubin added "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,"

"Consumers continue to see a gap between Blu-ray´s premium video quality and features and its premium price," said Rubin, adding that a broader array of releases this holiday season could change things."

NPD figures also showed that people still prefer up-converting players over Blu-ray. These players saw a increase of 5% in the first quarter of 2008.

Note: Figures do not include the sale of Playstation 3 gaming consoles.

Source: NPD Group, Video Business

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