Without the PS3, Blu-ray struggles mightily for acceptance
Just how important is Blu-Ray to the average consumer? Not very important at all, a new study found Friday, and the PS3 may very well be what's keeping it above water.
In fact, PS3 owners, on average, are buying many more Blu-ray movies, per person, than people with dedicated Blu-ray players.
"While you might think gamers purchase fewer movie discs than others, we didn't see any significant evidence of that in our results," said ABI principle analyst Steve Wilson. "PS3 console shipments will go a long way to help bring down manufacturing costs and drive down Blu-ray player prices."
An ABI survey of 1,000 people found that over 50% have "no plans" to purchase a Blu-ray player. A further 23% said they are likely to buy a Blu-ray player, but not until at least 2009.
The survey found that consumers are still more than happy with standard definition DVDs, mostly because they entail not having to buy a new HDTV. The difference in quality between standard and high definition was also a wash with consumers: 50% said HD was "much better" than standard def, but 40% said it was only "somewhat better."
And don't expect a price cut on players anytime soon. ABI predicted that players will remain above $300 until 2009. That still makes the PS3 your best bet for a cheap Blu-Ray player. That is, if you even care about HD enough to justify the price point. Most people, apparently, couldn't care less.
» posted by ITworld staff
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The meaning of this study is
The meaning of this study is clear: It is expensive to play the HD game. The cost barrier to entry is rather high for an ordinary American. Most {who own standard media stacks} have to replace their entire stacks to get the benefits of Blu-ray. Those who have never had a stack need to buy a media stack for the first time. Receiver, HDTV, 5.1 surround system, and some sort of Blu-ray player. That’s a tall order. We’re talking $2000 bucks, rock bottom, all-in. In most cases, the cost will be substantially greater. I spent roughly $5000.Once that is done you will also need HD cable or dish. That is more expensive than standard. Once that is done, you will also need Blu-rays from Netflix. That is also more expensive. If you want to own some Blu-rays, they are more expensive than DVDs
That is why American consumers have other priorities. This investment is large enough to interfere with other priorities.
With that said, lets be absolutely clear about one thing: Blu-ray utterly destroys DVD. It only takes about 1 week of persistently watching before you can spot the difference 100 yards away. As I walk in the door at Circuit City, I know within seconds exactly which HDTVs are playing upscaled DVDs and which ones are playing Blu-rays. It is easy to tell. The ones that look like shit are playing upscaled DVDs. The ones that look terrific are playing Blu-rays.
Just about everybody I have shown a Blu-ray movie to has been impressed as hell by the technology. I don’t think it is an exageration to say that all have either bought into a full HD stack, or they are currently scratching their heads over how they might finance one. There is no doubt that the cost has been a sore spot for all, including me. Yet when the investment is made, your home theater becomes your prize possession. You want to invite everybody over for a movie.
The onslaught is coming, the prices just need to keep moving south, as they are right now.
The meaning of the study
The meaning of the study is... don't forget, you said 'The cost barrier to entry is rather high for an ordinary American. Most {who own standard media stacks} have to replace their entire stacks to get the benefits of Blu-ray.'The same was exactly true for DVD when it came to replace VHS nearly 10 years. People had to buy their movie collections again. Don't forget DVD players wer around $1200 when they were released
i got my ps3 at lauch and i
i got my ps3 at lauch and i dont have a syngle movie,YET cuz im broke adn does movies cost $20:i rent them ,but i love my ps3 as a game system.if u want HD in your movies than get a blue-ray cuz if u put dvds in a big HDtv than u dont know what your missing.