Blu-Ray May Be Winning Against HD DVD for the Next Generation DVD Format

Blu-Ray is showing signs that it may be winning the battle for the next generation DVD format. Last Thursday, the nation's second largest retailer, Target, announced that they will be featuring the Sony Blu-Ray Disc Players as the exclusive product in the emerging category of high-definition home video systems, as well as new lines of Blu-Ray disc movies.

The major difference between the two formats is that Blu-ray disc can support seven hours of video content on a single layer disc while the HD DVD has only four hours of playback.

Analysts have been comparing the battle for the next generation DVD format with the Betamax-VHS battle during the late 70s and early 80s. The Vice President of Panasonic R&D of America, however, rejected this comparison and insisted that there will be a healthy market for the next-generation format.

According to the Digital Entertainment Group, Blu-Ray sales dominated that of the HD DVD because of Sony's Playstation 3 console which comes with a built-in Blu-Ray player. Blu-Ray is also the most supported format, according to CNET news.com, Blu-Ray is supported by seven major Hollywood Studios, 11 consumer electronic companies, four major IT companies while HD DVD has the backing of only five movie studios. And if only to rub it in, in a recent news, thieves who broke into a video store took all Blu-Ray movies in stock, leaving behind the HD DVD selection untouched.

Now, this latest development that the second largest retailer in the US is going to feature Blu-Ray Disc Players seems to add to the conclusion that Blu-Ray is winning the format wars.

Sony's BDP-S300 Blu-Ray Disc player will arrive in Target stores in October as part of the store's feature endcap that will convey to consumers the benefits of Blu-Ray Disc technology.

Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony Home Products Division, said that Sony is excited that Target chose to carry their Blu-ray Disc players and Target's decision only proves how Target is in tune with American consumers who are interested in the latest high-definition technologies.

The president of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment adds, "Target's decision to promote Blu-ray Disc players in the fourth quarter sends an important message to those who may still be sitting the high-definition fence. Their guests rely on Target to merchandise solutions that enhance their lives and they rely on Sony as one of the most trusted electronics brands to offer the best technologies. This promotion from Target and Sony will lend further credibility to the benefits associated with Blu-ray Disc technology."

SOURCE:

Sony Press Release, Target To Feature Sony Blu-Ray Disc Player. URL: (http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/home_audio_video/blu-ray_disc/release/30890.html)

Erica Ogg, Blu-ray v. HD DVD: Where do we stand? Crave.cnet.com. URL: (http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9750763-1.html)

Erica Ogg, Next-gen DVD war could be messy--or not. News.com.com. URL: (http://crave.cnet.com/Next-gen+DVD+war+could+be+messy--or+not/2100-1041_3-6106111.html)