Scott
11-19-2008, 09:47 AM
Link (http://www.edge-online.com/news/blu-ray-sales-predictions-get-gloomy)
Despite Adams Media Research projecting back in June that 14.4 million US households would be able to play Blu-Ray movies by the end of the year, a consortium of movie studios and electronics manufacturers estimate that the actual figure is now likely to be closer to 10.5 million.
The consortium, known as the Digital Entertainment Group, specified last week that the user-base of Blu-Ray compatible devices would come mainly through PS3 sales, of which the consortium predicts will have 8 million US users before 2009. Research group Adams Media however estimated in June that over 10 million PS3s would be sold in the US by that time.
The price of Blu-Ray players are taking a considerable drop in America right now in the hope that units for $200 will encourage adoption of the format.
One member of the consortium, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment president David Bishop, said that “the only dark cloud is the economy" before adding that the PS3 sales in America remain on target and "show no slowdown.” Currently there are 5.7 million PS3s in US homes, with Sony expecting that figure to climb another 4-5 million before March. "We remain pretty confident that we'll meet our targets for the fiscal year," said a spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment America.
The panel also agreed that the format is very young, having just only just won the format battle with the Toshiba and Microsoft-backed HD-DVD format. DVD revenue continues to fall, dropping 6 percent through 2008
Someone should ask why Bluray movies are still £15/$30. It won't matter how little the players cost if the product they actually play is unreasonably priced.
Despite Adams Media Research projecting back in June that 14.4 million US households would be able to play Blu-Ray movies by the end of the year, a consortium of movie studios and electronics manufacturers estimate that the actual figure is now likely to be closer to 10.5 million.
The consortium, known as the Digital Entertainment Group, specified last week that the user-base of Blu-Ray compatible devices would come mainly through PS3 sales, of which the consortium predicts will have 8 million US users before 2009. Research group Adams Media however estimated in June that over 10 million PS3s would be sold in the US by that time.
The price of Blu-Ray players are taking a considerable drop in America right now in the hope that units for $200 will encourage adoption of the format.
One member of the consortium, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment president David Bishop, said that “the only dark cloud is the economy" before adding that the PS3 sales in America remain on target and "show no slowdown.” Currently there are 5.7 million PS3s in US homes, with Sony expecting that figure to climb another 4-5 million before March. "We remain pretty confident that we'll meet our targets for the fiscal year," said a spokesperson for Sony Computer Entertainment America.
The panel also agreed that the format is very young, having just only just won the format battle with the Toshiba and Microsoft-backed HD-DVD format. DVD revenue continues to fall, dropping 6 percent through 2008
Someone should ask why Bluray movies are still £15/$30. It won't matter how little the players cost if the product they actually play is unreasonably priced.