60% of PlayStation 3 owners are oblivious of Blu-ray

by Colin Torretta { Aug 9th 2007 at 1:00AM }

According to a new study by the NPD Group, only 40% of PlayStation 3 owners are aware that their console plays Blu-ray discs. This is after almost 18 months of PS3/Blu-ray advertisements and announcements, not to mention significant branding of Blu-ray on PlayStation 3 products.

It's rather unsettling to think of so many people not realizing a significant portion of their console's potential due to lack of awareness. It's tough to see what Sony could do different though. It may just be one of those things where it takes some time before awareness of Blu-ray hits critical mass.

So, you guys are aware that the PS3 plays Blu-ray movies ... right?

Tags: blu-ray, NPD

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Magma @ Aug 9th 2007 1:10AM

If you own a PS3 and don't know this, you are a complete and total moron in every way.

Magma @ Aug 9th 2007 1:12AM

On another note, I hope this shuts all the idiotic xbots up about how they're always saying Blu Ray is only winning because of the PS3.

radioactiveseamonkey @ Aug 9th 2007 1:17AM

how do u not know??? the blu-ray logo and everything is on ur game discs, and on ur flippin' ps3! read the manual! SOMETHING! ...

Shawn Lebert @ Aug 9th 2007 1:24AM

I really find that percentage hard to believe, considering the PlayStation 3 is what is making Blu-ray a priority over HD-DVD.

Cooper @ Aug 9th 2007 1:35AM

Maybe because they are playing on SD televisions, which the vast majority of people still own. Bluray/HDDVD look the same as DVD on SD.

AmgKmpsR @ Aug 9th 2007 1:43AM

What the f**k is blu-ray?

RazielDune @ Aug 9th 2007 1:51AM

What the hell i knew about it before they releaced it.

chris @ Aug 9th 2007 1:51AM

where do they get facts for stuff like this?

ill make up my own statistics 99% of xbox360 owners are virgins

looks like i suck at making up statistics turns out its true

isagani @ Aug 9th 2007 1:59AM

maybe they need to put big stickers on the PS3 boxes saying "IT ALSO PLAYS BLU-RAY MOVIES" and why not start putting up signs/ads in stores and maybe working with retailers to cross promo Blu-ray movies with PS3 more. other than that there isn't much more than for word of mouth to spread the knowledge

secret @ Aug 9th 2007 2:00AM

What percentage of xbox360 people realize that they're console plays DVD-9?

But in any case, I'm sure the 60% will be delighted once they find out that their little toy will do more than what they originally bought it for, which is good news.

In the end, the 60% see the 40% marching on for a higher cause and just want to chip in to help defeat an evil empire, that's all... :)

I hear Nintendo is planning to alliance to add bluray playback on it's Wii.

secret @ Aug 9th 2007 2:02AM

They're joining the rebellion, led by the 40%.

Justin @ Aug 9th 2007 2:02AM

wow. they should have commericals on TV...

"PLAY HI-DEFINITION BLU RAY DISCS ON YOUR PS3 CONSOLE"

or SOMETHING...

to be honest, i rarely see any PS3 commercials at all...and the ones i do see are advertising specific games.

there were a few commercials around launch...but i see MANY more universal 360 commercials actually advertising the 360 console with the "Jump In" tagline.

Sony's advertising department should hire me.

I'll sell some PS3's.

secret @ Aug 9th 2007 2:02AM

and don't care whether it plays bluray or not... :)

Neil @ Aug 9th 2007 2:03AM

These statistics are really hard to believe and quite baffling....all I can say is wow.

Killer @ Aug 9th 2007 2:06AM

@Chris

You're joke fell flat and didn't make sense with all the bad grammer. So...do everyone a favor and shut up, before you make the forum look stupid.

(Ps. Good luck with those...ummmmm crabs) :p

Killer @ Aug 9th 2007 2:19AM

On another note. I don't believe this poll at all.

Reason: "The report is based on online survey responses from 6,260 members of NPD's online consumer panel."

Most of these members are likely to be parents that bought them for the children or teens. They have no idea of the damn things, because the kids wanted. (I know it said 6 to 44.) I can tell you right now if there was more than two 6 year olds, I would be surprised. Polls and surveys don't mean $hit these days. PS3, PSP, Wii, NDS, Xbox 360 owners were polled...seeing that the ps3 and 360 are the only HD consoles why ask psp, nds, and wii owners? It's a flawed survey technic.

Jason Tyra @ Aug 9th 2007 2:21AM

It's a lot like when the PS2 released with DVD playback capability. A lot of people bought the PS2 not understanding that it could also play DVD movies.

Jeff @ Aug 9th 2007 2:32AM

ISn't there a Blu-Ray logo on front of the box? But 40% is more than I thought it would be.

GL @ Aug 9th 2007 2:32AM

@6

"What the f**k is blu-ray?"

Apparently, AmgKmpsR is from the 40% group.

Justin @ Aug 9th 2007 2:41AM

@ jeff...yea there's a blu ray logo...but the majority of the people who buy/rent movies don't know what Blu-Ray nor HD DVD is.

I'm a manager at Hollywood Video (god I hate my job), but man...almost NOBODY knows about ANYTHING Hi-Def....and I'm in MIAMI...not like its a small town cut off from civilization or anything.

Hell...most of my customers don't even know the difference between Widescreen and Fullscreen yet.

And i'm not joking or trying to be funny. About 75-80% of my customers have no clue whatsoever about anything beyond DVD. So the numbers don't surprise me...

Justin @ Aug 9th 2007 2:44AM

oh...and the relevance to your comment i guess would be...that if the customers who rent/buy movies from Hollywood or Blockbuster are also the ones who may be purchasing the PS3...they wouldn't have a clue. But yea...its right there on the front of the box.

Strike Man @ Aug 9th 2007 3:03AM

"You're joke fell flat and didn't make sense with all the bad grammer."

That is quite possibly the finest piece of unintentional humor I've had the pleasure of reading today.

Seriously, even if these numbers aren't completely accurate, it isn't surprising that the average consumer is unaware of a feature like that.

Joe Six-Pack doesn't buy a PS3 because it has Blu-ray capabilities, nor does he purchase it because its DLNA media streaming. He buys it because it's called Playstation, it has games like Madden and GTA (or at least it will have the latter early in 08), and because he heard it was the hot new thing to have.

Face it, while many in the early adopter crowds are all too familiar with terms like HDMI, Blu-ray and HD DVD, and 1080p, the average consumer _doesn't_ know the specifics about those and frankly, doesn't care to. They want a machine that works, that has the games they like to play, and maybe a few extra features (such as web browsing on PS3/Wii or VOD on 360). In all honesty, a large number of consumers who will go out and purchase either a 360 or a PS3 this coming holiday season probably couldn't care any less about Blu-ray or HD DVD. Such features only excite the tech-savvy crowd at this point in time, and that will probably continue to be the case for quite a few years.

Face it, a decent number of PS3s and XBOX 360s are being hooked up to TV sets (both standard and HD) with composite and even RF cables. Anyone who has helped a technologically-impaired family member or friend install their new setup has probably run into someone who is running their DVD player through a 20-year old cable box or still uses a VCR as their primary recording source (since that darn blinky Tivo HD that the cable company is just too complicated, with its beeping and confusing remotes!). While some 14-year old forum dweller may scoff at the idea of using anything less than an HDMI connection, the simple fact remains that the average consumer may not even have the ability to use such a cable until the PS3 is into its golden years, and the final PS4 specs have already been leaked.

As readers of verious online sites (such as the Joystiq network of gaming blogs), you people all know about Blu-ray. But here's a newsflash: there are consumers who spend money on videogames who have never even heard of Gamespot or IGN, much less Joystiq. They hear their gaming "news" from USA today and that helpful chap (or that emo wannabe, depending on where they reside) at the local game store. The constant condescending bullshit like "If you own a PS3 and don't know this, you are a complete and total moron in every way" is a big reason why a gaming forum or blog comment will probably turn away an average consumer far more often than it will educate them about the product they purchased.

stirlo @ Aug 9th 2007 3:13AM

Killer - don't worry, one day you'll lose your virginity!

WTangoFoxtrot @ Aug 9th 2007 3:14AM

maybe it goes to prove that people dont give a crap about confusing and stupid proprietary standards and just want to game.....
.......now if only $ony could understand that

stirlo @ Aug 9th 2007 3:21AM

yah... cause there's _NO_ advantage to haveing 50 gigs of storage!! /sarcasm

Titty Pink @ Aug 9th 2007 3:36AM

You almost HAVE to be an asshole or really young not to know, however this DOES add something to the "PS3 is driving Blu-Ray in the format war" debate. 60% is a pretty big number, and I'm aware of the capability and haven't bought a single movie...maybe the format is just kickin ass w/ little PS3 intervention...

NinjaAntonio @ Aug 9th 2007 3:46AM

I never knew PS3s players blu-ray...I did hear that it plays blu-ray movies.

goku1910 @ Aug 9th 2007 3:51AM

Are people really that Stupid not to notice????

IT'S THE CHEAPEST BLU-RAY PLAYER I KNOW THUS FAR!!!!!!! HOW COULD YOU MISS IT?!

PJ @ Aug 9th 2007 3:56AM

I don't believe those figures at all.

I think its just another case of a bunch of pencil pushers getting paid way too much for "researching" what people already know ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6902379.stm ) or " Cutting back on soft drinks can aid weight loss..... - Penn State University" Really? No S$%T!

For the people who supposedly dont know about Blu-Ray... You wasted your money just for the sake of it didnt you. "Ooh, shiny, I want one!".

For those parents who bought for their kids... Stop it! Value of a $ £ € and all that. And, you could have just bought something that is being used by the fast growing secret underground rebel anti-government agency that is planning to end the use of the knives and forks so they can use the raw materials to build a huge space station and evacuate the earth.
Stupid? MY POINT EXACTLY!
Seriously, do your homework people! You wouldn't buy a swiss army knife and only use the nail file. It does do other things.

Ok, time for my meds.

PJ @ Aug 9th 2007 4:09AM

Kinda messed up my own point about "research" into this kind of stuff being pointless by saying people already know...

I meant that I feel its a complete waste of time and money to do it (the so called research). Some of it is useless and some of it is just common sense! Stop wasting tax payers money on it.

My excuse for my nonsensical ramblings is that its early, and i have a hangover. sorry.

carl @ Aug 9th 2007 4:37AM

The statistics reveal how stupid the human race is.
We have to ask ourselves:
"Do we really deserve to continue as a species when 60% of us do not understand that PS3 can also play blu-ray movies?"

johnami11s @ Aug 9th 2007 5:47AM

perhaps Sony could solve the bluray issue buy selling the disk for the same price as DVD's instead of 3 times as much!
People would soon realise they could watch bluray discs if the thought they could afford them easily!
try rewarding people for spending £400 on a console with cheaper films! It would also mean that bluray would win the format wars as the public will always buy the cheaper option, (VHS - Beata Max syndrome,)

benny boy @ Aug 9th 2007 6:14AM

That is really surprising.

Everyone that I know that owns a PS3 knows that it plays Blu-Ray and even all the people I know that don't have a PS3 know that one of it's main features is Blu-Ray playback.

benny boy @ Aug 9th 2007 6:16AM

That really can't be true.

Josh @ Aug 9th 2007 7:24AM

Ok, so I can buy that 60% of people that own a ps3 dont use it to play blu-ray movies, but not that they are unaware that it can. I would be interested to see if the ratio of people who own a hd tv / own a sd tv is about the same. I dont know a ton of people that own a hd tv. Personally I bought a lcd tv the same week I got my ps3, just to take advantage of the high def, but I dont see many people doing that, gets expensive.

AlanS17 @ Aug 9th 2007 7:53AM

It came with a free movie! How could they not know!!!

Kiros Skye @ Aug 9th 2007 7:59AM

Wow i had no idea that the movies I bought and played on my ps3 actually worked on my ps3. I really did not know this.

Nuge32 @ Aug 9th 2007 8:04AM

Statistics are the easiest most effective and honest way to lie haha. Since they rarely ever give you all the details. The comment about the survey prob being all parents is most likely right. But if not... did all those 360 owners thing that fucked up txt was a whole part of the Dead Rising experience. That shit on an SDTV was horrid... Kill zombies, but don't worry about the pages of txt and storyline you can't read.

Dahk @ Aug 9th 2007 8:55AM

LOL @ Strike Man. I like this line:
"and that helpful chap (or that emo wannabe, depending on where they reside) at the local game store". Thats exactly how it is here =P

I fully agree with Josh. More than 60% of PS3 owners know of Blu-Ray, but the 60% probably reflects people who actually BUY Blu-Ray discs. The HDTV penetration isn't exactly the highest right now (especially 1080p sets) and so buying Blu-Ray discs at twice the cost isn't exactly a worthwhile decision.

I myself don't have a 1080p set, and my DVD player shoots out at a brilliant 720p, which is satisfying enough. So, DVDs are still my choice for movie-buying.

Chameleon @ Aug 9th 2007 9:51AM

"The constant condescending bullshit like "If you own a PS3 and don't know this, you are a complete and total moron in every way" is a big reason why a gaming forum or blog comment will probably turn away an average consumer far more often than it will educate them about the product they purchased."
-Strike Man

QFT

BrokenFERN @ Aug 9th 2007 10:51AM

I can believe 30%, not 60%.

Do I know ps3 plays movies...
Nine Inch Nails Besides You In Time on a 56" 1080P Sammy... you bet I do!

qrayg @ Aug 9th 2007 10:55AM

Wait... the PS3 plays games??? Whoa... that's soooo coool!

ForceUnleashed @ Aug 9th 2007 11:11AM

@ 41

Exactly Chameleon. The arrogance of sony fanboys is beyond ridiculous.

Thats why so many people hate sony and the ps3.

And after reading about the PSN and the very obvious lack of material when compared to xbox Live its clear to me that the 360 is the better system.

coyurtney @ Aug 9th 2007 11:31AM

I don't et it? Then why did they buy a PS3 then, for the games? Yeah sure..

Steve @ Aug 9th 2007 11:35AM

because people just want to play games, who cares about anything else, just give me the best game console

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Aug 9th 2007 11:42AM

even on and sd tv you can notice the quality of blu ray. with a more constant frame rate and the color sort of pop.

insane257 @ Aug 9th 2007 11:49AM

@ 20, Justin,

i work with computers, fixing them , building them etc for hundreds of different users. I'd say 80% of them dont understand how to even LOG-ON. So i totally agree with you.

it's not Sonys lack of promotion, it's stupid users.

It infuriates me that people can be so stupid. This is the exact reason why the Wii is selling so well, because the Wii is for gamers who know NOTHING about gaming and are attracted to novelty controls etc. Real gamers lean towards the PS3 because it's a better built machine , has HDMI output and can play Blu Ray DVD's and normal DVD's.

tuco @ Aug 9th 2007 11:58AM

I actually took that survey and they asked if you had a Ps3. Later, they asked if you had a Blu-Ray Player and I distinctly recall thinking they must mean in addition to the PS3. I don't remember what I put down. I am aware the Ps3 plays Blu-Ray movies, but I didn't buy it for that and really use it only to play games. One of these days, I'll get around to renting some Blu-Ray specail effects spectacular. But since I've gotten into gaming, I have a much lower tolerance for bad blockbuster movies with no plots and no character development. So I don't know that Blu-Ray is much of a priority for me except for how it might enhance the game experience.