Blu-ray movie sales gathering momentum
HD DVD's death the cause?
Film fans are steadily heeding the hi-def message. Some 11m Blu-ray Disc movie titles have been bought so far, according to the latest sales stats.
Research by US market watcher Redhill also revealed that more BDs were sold during the first five months of this year than during the whole of 2007.
Last year, BDs only accounted for up to two per cent of the sales of every top-ten movie release. Redhill now estimates that between eight and ten per cent of the latest blockbusters are bought on Blu-ray. Among the most popular Blu-ray titles currently on sale are the post-apocalyptic I am Legend and - still - Casino Royale.
However, not everyone’s convinced. According to a report by Home Media Magazine, Shane Kim, head of Microsoft Game Studios, recently said that he doesn’t see “that format taking off, in general”. Although, if you’re trying to kill off rumours that a Blu-ray drive isn’t coming to the Xbox 360, then rubbishing the format’s a good way to start.
If BD sales are to continue rising, then sales of Blu-ray hardware need to grow too. Market watcher Strategy Analytics has predicted that 57.4m BD players, games consoles and PCs will have been sold in the US, Europe and Japan collectively by 2012.
It also predicted that 30m households in those regions will own Blu-ray equipment by December.
If that prediction is to come true, then Blu-ray backers need to step up their promotional activities, at least in the US if not elsewhere too. Yesterday, it emerged that more than half of US HD TV owners aren't familiar with the BD format, and only six per cent of consumers plan to buy a BD player in the next six months.
COMMENTS
@Mark
You really are a blagger aren't you?
"Apple is NOT doing HD downloads, only SD. So you fail there..."
Yes they ARE doing HD downloads, via Apple TV so Jai, you're safe.
"I suspect you problem is, that you fell for the 108p TFT trick, where they sell you a crappy TFT, that is 1080p, but looks a million times worse that a more expensive 1080p Plasma."
Unlikely. Some people can see a difference, some people can't. It's all down to personal preference, its not all black and white.
"Sounds like you need more friends. I know at least 40 people with Blu-ray. Granted the bast majority are PS3 owners, but they all watch and buy Blu, if the movie is worth it. I know 4 people with standalone BD players."
Again hilarious, like you know 40 people, let alone 40 people who have Blu-ray. So you're expecting us to believe that you know at least 36 people with a PS3? These must be people you've met online then? And do you keep a survey? Excuse me, Gamer40_Rocks, nice work shooting me down there but do you have a minute to answer a couple of questions so I have some ammo for my trolling on the register?
Predictable.
@David Wiernicki & @Mark
I concede that the linked screenshots do look better than the live action stuff I've seen however the two titles I mentioned (Spider-Man and Superman Returns) weren't offering that level of quality - they look fine from a distance but getting up close and you can see the lack of sharpness/detail.
As for my screen, it is a 1080p LCD which, when being used for games on the PS3 or viewing things such as Ratatouille on Blu-Ray looks amazing. I downloaded the 1080p trailer for Indiana Jones 4 from PSN and the opening shot of the valley looked amazing so I know the TV is capable of rendering the images well, the problem lies with some Blu-Ray movies. I think the same was true for early DVDs where a lack of care was taken with the compression, simply being happy with a tick box in the is 1080p image.
Select price comparisons going on
I don't know where you boys and girls are looking for your pricing information, but there are few BR films coming out that are been priced at £24. HMV is still on the expensive side, yes absolutely (and only go into Zaavi for a giggle at the prices of everything), but generally the BR editions are coming onto shelves at or below £20. Amazon and Play are usually £18-ish. Two local Asda stores price around £15-£17.
Don't get me wrong, that is still VERY expensive compared to DVD and despite being a BR player owner I won't pay silly money and are prepared to wait for cheaper media at times. But people here are quoting prices that are at a minority of retailers. EVERYTHING in the UK has gone up in price on the high street the last three months expect mainstream CD's and DVD's, but any price hike in BR films I suspect has nothing to do with the demise of HDDVD. It's just greedy retailers. I've bought about 10 BR films since HDDVD was axed and all were cheaper than I would have paid six months ago.
DVD was insanely expensive for the first 18 months at around £24 for block buster films, people forget that.
I'm not defending the prices of BR, not in the slightest, and agree that DVD pricing is just too attractive. I'm just pointing out a few facts that people are neglecting to mention. Is there anyone else in here commenting that actually has experience as a consumer BUYING BR or just as ill informed nay-sayers standing on the periphery?
@Mark
Sorry pal but plenty of friends there. Its just that they all bought 360's.
40 folks with BD??!! Really??? I could believe that if you had said 4.
How about other folks? How many people do you know with BD gear (especially stand alone players)?
If folks can spend £20+ on a movie then we have a situation where common sense has dipped well under the bottom of the barrell.
@All
Jai: Apple is NOT doing HD downloads, only SD. So you fail there...
Neil Docherty: I suspect you problem is, that you fell for the 108p TFT trick, where they sell you a crappy TFT, that is 1080p, but looks a million times worse that a more expensive 1080p Plasma.
AC: What is illegal about HDCP? Is it now illegal to protect you property from warez kiddies?
jason: Sounds like you need more friends. I know at least 40 people with Blu-ray. Granted the bast majority are PS3 owners, but they all watch and buy Blu, if the movie is worth it. I know 4 people with standalone BD players.
