Research firm still predicts Blu-ray high-def winner

[Tekman]

AUG. 22 | BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--Research firm Understanding & Solutions reiterated its stance that Blu-ray Disc will prove victorious in the high-definition format war, despite Paramount Home Entertainment’s and DreamWorks Animation’s move to back rival HD DVD exclusively.

During a breakfast update on consumer downloading and high-definition issues here Wednesday, U&S director Jim Bottoms cited as reason the larger number of studio titles produced exclusively for Blu-ray. Also, the Paramount/DreamWorks move to HD DVD exclusivity did not add any new titles to that side, he noted, since the studios until this week supported both formats.

“The weight of industry support is still very much behind Blu-ray,” said Bottoms, preceding his arguments by noting that U&S remains a private entity, not financially benefiting from either side. “Fifty-eight percent of the high-def market comes from Blu-ray-exclusive business,” based on first quarter video shipments, he said.

High-def market share

Bottoms broke down studio market share within Blu-ray-exclusive studios, showing that Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment commands a 14% piece; 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 16%; Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 18%; MGM Home Entertainment, 3%; and Lionsgate, 7%.

The HD DVD-only side accounts for 23% of the market, including 10% from Universal Studios Home Entertainment share and 13% from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Warner Home Video, producing in both HD DVD and Blu-ray, accounts for 19% of the high-def market.

“We have gone on record before that BD format is most likely to succeed, and we don’t believe [the Paramount/DreamWorks decision] will change that outcome,” said Bottoms.

Another major driver for Blu-ray will be the PlayStation 3, which currently continues to sell below expectations but can still make an impact over the next few years, Bottoms said. He estimates 15 million to 20 million consoles will be in U.S. homes by that time.

Prolonging war

The main consequence of Paramount and DreamWorks’ move to HD DVD is the prolonging of the format war, which U&S previously projected would be decided by first-quarter 2008.

Only a fraction of home entertainment business today, high-def business will be significant by 2011, U&S predicts. The company reports that by then, 40 million HD DVD and Blu-ray set-top players will be sold, representing 36% of U.S. households; 25 million Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles combined, representing 22% of households; and 20 million PC drives, representing 17% of homes.

There will be 8.7 million software units sold among the two formats in 2007, and 59 million units sold in 2008, U&S predicts.

Although there is growth on the horizon, Bottoms warned that high-def companies need to improve their messages to consumers to maximize revenue.

“There is a lot of confusion with consumers over high-def in general,” Bottoms said. “I heard from a consumer, ‘I was going to buy an HDTV screen, but now I’m going to buy a Blu-ray screen. That is quite typical of the confusion that exists. But the important take away is that there is great opportunity [with high-def], but there still needs to be some work done to turn this all into a reality.”

[hyperdine]

I agree with their projections. The Paramount decision simply prolongs the format war but it doesn't change the outcome. What remains to be seen is what further announcements are in store for the remainder of the year that could substantially change the landscape. Anything is possible at this point.

[bluflu]

I for one am not going to run out and buy a crummy 1080i HD DVD player just to watch a handful of movies from Paramount.

[stockstar1138]

Think of it this way, HD DVD had crappy studio support and what did they pay 150 million for, the same studio support! its not going to alter the outcome.

[Razzy]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

Think of it this way, HD DVD had crappy studio support and what did they pay 150 million for, the same studio support! its not going to alter the outcome.

We definitely can't lose Warner. If they stay neutral Blu-Ray wiill be fine. That being said, WHERE THE HELL IS BATMAN & THE MATRIX!!

[jorg]

we wont lose warner not a chance warner would rathert drop of of both camps b4 go hd dvd exlucsive

[JTK]

Originally Posted by jorg

we wont lose warner not a chance warner would rathert drop of of both camps b4 go hd dvd exlucsive

They started out as an HD-DVD exclusive studio.

They also have been withholding titles from Blu that they put out on HD-DVD months ago.

What they have put on BD have been afterthought HD-DVD ports, complete with lowbitrate Vc-1 and limited audio.

Based on this track record, I have little hope at this point of Warner staying neutral.

I could be very pleasantly surprised.

[ReduxInflux]

Originally Posted by JTK

They started out as an HD-DVD exclusive studio.

They also have been withholding titles from Blu that they put out on HD-DVD months ago.

What they have put on BD have been afterthought HD-DVD ports, complete with lowbitrate Vc-1 and limited audio.

Based on this track record, I have little hope at this point of Warner staying neutral.

I could be very pleasantly surprised.

is it possible that they were holding out for BD-J, BD-Live and BD+???
the one thing that hd-dvd had an advantage on us was with interactivity.
and thats what the studio heads kept harping on....now that it's here...won't that change things??

[JTK]

Originally Posted by ReduxInflux

is it possible that they were holding out for BD-J, BD-Live and BD+???
the one thing that hd-dvd had an advantage on us was with interactivity.
and thats what the studio heads kept harping on....now that it's here...won't that change things??

I'd like to think so, but again we're talking about using logic and facts...two critical items missing in Paramount's decision making once they got flooded with $150 million in cash and incentives.

We'll see how Warner handles it.

[hyperdine]

Originally Posted by ReduxInflux

is it possible that they were holding out for BD-J, BD-Live and BD+???
the one thing that hd-dvd had an advantage on us was with interactivity.
and thats what the studio heads kept harping on....now that it's here...won't that change things??

That's been their excuse all along, but Blood Diamond is a perfect example of how (if they really wanted to) they could release a BD version without the silly extras like PiP. I would rather have Batman and V for Vendetta before Christmas than wait for them figure out and implement BD-J on their titles.