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Blu-Ray DVD vs. HD DVD Players
Which next generation DVD player will emerge as the victor- Blu-Ray DVD players or HD DVD players?
Well, the jury is still out on this question. Right now, the intense competition between the two formats offers little evidence to which DVD player the public will embrace. However, the competition could cause both formats to fall flat, leading to the demise of both.
For many consumers the choice between the two can be difficult. Not all movies are released in either format, and the ones that are available support only one of the formats. Plus, with all the hype, many people are left disenchanted and tend to take a wait and see approach.
Is there a quality difference between the two DVD players?
Essentially, there is no quality difference between the two formats. Both DVD players use a blue laser to read the disc. This laser is more precise, allowing for higher quality pictures. Both produce a high quality picture. The largest difference may lie with the type of DVD player that is bought. If you are looking for a player with superior functionality and features, the Sony Blu-Ray DVD player offers the best choice.
Which DVD Player leads in sales and product choices?
Blu-Ray DVD products lead the market right now both in sales and in product choices. More than two and half million Blu-Ray DVD players have been sold in North America compared to 750,000 HD DVD players. Sony's Playstation 3 includes a Blu-Ray player which helps to increase this installed base. This same gap exists in product choices as well. Blu-Ray products outnumber HD DVD products by almost 50%, and over 180 top media and electronics providers support the format. More movie studios also support Blu-Ray over HD DVD.
These numbers certainly give Blu-Ray DVD players an Edge, but HD DVD players have a significant ally. Microsoft, with its Xbox 360 gaming system and separate HD-DVD player add on, is helping to bring HD DVD players into the spot light but without the including the technology in the base unit Sony maintains an advantage because the PS3 plays Blu-Ray discs out of the box. And sales for both formats continue to rise. Either one could eventually take the lead as more products begin to be released.
Which DVD player costs less?
At the moment, HD DVD players have a price advantage. Their prices run anywhere from around $100 on sale to an average price around $200. Blu-Ray DVD players, on the other hand, run a little bit higher with an average price around $300.
Is a standard DVD player still competitive?
Yes, most buyers are far more comfortable staying with a standard DVD player, despite the fact that both Blu-Ray and HD DVD players will play standard DVDs. There are four reasons for this occurrence.
- People are waiting to see which one will win the format war. Most people remember what happed to laser discs, which never were able to overtake VHS. Not wanting to be stuck with a dud, some consumers are delaying their purchase until one format begins to have the clear victory. Also, neither DVD player will play the other format. With most movies are released in one or the other, many consumers are opting to wait.
- Pricing is still the largest factor. Standard DVD players, especially ones with that can up-convert, can be purchased for as low as $50. And the pricing for a standard DVD is $20 cheaper than a Blu-Ray or HD DVD, which cost an average of $38.
- With HDMI up-conversion, the picture quality is extremely close to HD quality. For many consumers, this quality is sufficient, even with those who have HD televisions.
- A majority of households still do not have HD televisions.
What does the future hold for DVD players?
In January the makers of both formats will look to win the PR war at the International Consumer Electronics show, with each one highlighting the specific edge they hold on the market. Blu-Ray will tout the content choice, and HD DVD should counter with its price advantage. Also coming out this year is a dual format disk with HD DVD on one and Blu-Ray on the other. It is supported by Warner Brothers and has already been delayed once. When it is available, it could throw a wrench in the format war. Just how it will impact is unclear at the moment.
If the format war does not hurt both of them, Blu-Ray looks to prevail. With more products, support, and variety, the format will continue to gain popularity as more product choices are available. But, if the product choice remains split, consumers will continue to be disenchanted and stick with standard DVD players with HDMI up-conversion.
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