It's been a tough time for HD-DVD of late. First, there were announcements that global sales forecasts of HD-DVD players were being cut and then Blockbuster decided to favour Blu-ray in its US stores. Now, Sony has added more salt to the wound by claiming US shipments of its Blu-ray players should reach 600,000.
According to Sony's Randy Waynick, the growing demand for Blu-ray players is down to the number of software titles released exclusively for the Blu-ray format. "Out of the top 20 blockbusters, there were 14 or 15 that were exclusive to Blu-ray.
Meanwhile, back in Europe Sony has released its first Blu-ray player to the European market. The BDP-S1E is central to Sony's long-term 'HD World' strategy in Europe. "While Blu-ray already features in some VAIO PCs and Playstation3 in Europe, this is the first Sony Blu-ray disc product specifically for the home cinema market," notes Hodaka Irikucji, Business manager, Sony Europe.
The BDP-S1E's arrival coincides with booming flat screen sales in Europe with Sony also reporting rising interest in Full HD resolution screens capable of displaying the latest 1080p format used by high-definition players.
"Apart from a very limited number of European broadcasters, there's no 1080p content for viewers to enjoy on their Full HDTVs," explains Irikuchi. But now the first wave of Blu-ray titles is available in stores. "With its 1080p relay capability, the BD-SE1 at last lets consumers enjoy the ultimate Sony HD experience in their living rooms," he adds.
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PS3 sales are in a free fall & standalone blu-ray players are selling less than either standalone HD-DVD players or the HD-DVD Xbox add-on. Yet "Sony is confident". Talk about lipstick on a pig...
Hey those of us who made the right choice to begin with should actually appreciate the temporary boost that the PS3 gave to Blu-ray. It's going to be that much funnier when the other camp finally realizes that a video game console was not enough to replace DVD. I can't wait to see the excuses when HD-DVD software sales suddenly start to catch up and then surpass BR. Then the first BR-only studio goes dual. Then another.... well you get the picture.
Really Joe & DD?
Look at the software sales now :-D Blu-ray is beating HD-DVD 5:1. HD-DVD is a failed format.