It's clear that the next-gen movie format wars are shifting towards a victor. New data from Home Media Research shows that Blu-ray is gaining significant momentum, selling twice as many discs in the first half of this year than HD DVD. Sales of Blu-ray disc movies totaled 1.6 million units, compared with 795,000 HD DVD discs. Over the course of both formats' lifetimes, Blu-ray has about a 1 million unit advantage.
Could PS3 be the reason for such a significant boom in Blu-ray sales? Quite possibly. Dave Karraker offered GameDaily BIZ some statistics from their internal survey data:
- The average survey respondent owns 4.5 Blu-ray movies and 119 DVDs.
- 72% of respondents purchased at least 1 Blu-ray movie since acquiring a PS3.
- 87% of respondents intend to purchase at least one Blu-ray movie in the next 12 months.
It was a high-risk gamble, but it appears that Sony's inclusion of Blu-ray is finally helping its intentions to have a dominant media format in the market.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
EDGE @ Aug 16th 2007 3:06PM
prepare for the xbots invasion.
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:10PM
Blu-ray outpaces HD-DVD in U.S.: Home Media Research:
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1419176920070815
Brian Spence @ Aug 16th 2007 3:13PM
Yeah, why do X-Box fanatics get their panties in a bunch over news like this? If Blu-Ray failed, the PS3 would have been a disaster. Now that BD's winning (won?) the format war, the PS3 has more value and shelf life with the inclusion of Blu-ray.
Peter J @ Aug 16th 2007 3:13PM
"The average survey respondent owns 4.5 Blu-ray movies and 119 DVDs." .. this tells you a lot of the 'average' PS3 owner; they probably have a mid to high-end home theatre system with an HDTV.
Myself, I have 8 BDs and maybe 10 DVDs.
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:13PM
yeah the 360 trolls wont know what hit 'em until it all bites 'em in that ass that M$ has been brutally raping for so long... Nothing like a swollen raped ass getting bit by thier own ignorance...
dewmandew7 @ Aug 16th 2007 3:14PM
They must have only interviewed movie fanatics... 119 DVDs... on average!?!? I don't own nearly half that many! I like video games better than movies though... maybe that's why.
Andy @ Aug 16th 2007 3:15PM
Blu-Ray has already won.
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:15PM
I counted my Blu ray collection the other day and I'm at 52 already!!! I don't even try to count my DVD collection anymore, too many to count!!
Andy @ Aug 16th 2007 3:17PM
@6
I thought that number was pretty high as well. I own 15 dvds and 2 brds.
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:17PM
So I'm a proud contributer to the blu's success...
mccomber @ Aug 16th 2007 3:17PM
Confusing. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161833
"The NPD Group released results from their "Next Gen Functionality & Usage" report and some of the numbers are surprising.
According to the results, only 40% of PlayStation 3 owners polled were aware the machine had a Blu-ray player and about 50% of that number had popped in a Blu-ray movie during the last 10 times they turned on the machine -- the other half didn't use the feature."
Wonder what the difference is between the groups each surveyed; did Sony's numbers come from a more tech-savvy group of owners?
Or is Sony just playing fast and loose with the numbers they presented?
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:19PM
@mccomber
Home Media Research is much more reliable source
Dreadhead541 @ Aug 16th 2007 3:20PM
wait, wasn't there an article posted here a little while back that said that only 40% of ps3 owners were aware that it was also a blu-ray player. So, does that mean that 33% of ps3 owners have bought a blu-ray movie with out knowing that their ps3 can even play it?
Dreadhead541 @ Aug 16th 2007 3:20PM
wait, wasn't there an article posted here a little while back that said that only 40% of ps3 owners were aware that it was also a blu-ray player. So, does that mean that 33% of ps3 owners have bought a blu-ray movie with out knowing that their ps3 can even play it?
Gigi @ Aug 16th 2007 3:20PM
First post of mine here! Because finally i have thought to stop waiting, and finally will buy the PS3. (thought I asked a friend to buy it in the states and bring it back here to Italy ;-)
Great victory for the PS3!
Though, I have a question. Wasn't there a report earlier that only 40% of all PS3 owners actually know they have blue ray in their systems? does this mean those guys have been buying a lot more movies! Or are we getting conflicting reports?
Gigi @ Aug 16th 2007 3:22PM
oops.. two other guys had the same exact idea the same minute I did :-) I should leave the comments to the pros here ;-)
Geoff Gibson @ Aug 16th 2007 3:23PM
@ never$$hort
The 72% own a Blu Ray came from Sony's internal survey data, not Home Media Research.
It directly conflicts with what the NPD said, and unless it is counting the free pack-in movie that came with the PS3 when it launched then one of them is fudging their numbers and only Sony has a reason too. The NPD is not owned my Toshiba or Universal or Microsoft. . .
Something is fishy with the 72% statistic.
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:23PM
@ALL who are confused
Home Media Research is a much more reliable source, all the major consumer stores base thier data off of HMR reports... so I would take them more seriously than any previous reports...
Kxpuc @ Aug 16th 2007 3:23PM
..owning DVD's i don't think i even own a DVD that's not a PS2 game. not with me having a HD and Netflix
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:25PM
@Geoff Gibson
Blu-ray outpaces HD-DVD in U.S.: Home Media Research:
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1419176920070815
Paul Lach @ Aug 16th 2007 3:25PM
I bought the 360 HD-DVD add on well before I even thought about getting a PS3 and I think both options are viable. However, since getting my PS3 I have bought nothing but Blu-Ray movies and I am kicking myself for buying the add on. I guess no matter which high definition format wins I am set.
mccomber @ Aug 16th 2007 3:26PM
@ never$$hort, the conflicting numbers would seem to have been provided by Sony, not HMR.
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:27PM
@Paul Lach:"I bought the 360 HD-DVD add on...However, since getting my PS3 I have bought nothing but Blu-Ray movies and I am kicking myself for buying the add on."
-You can always sell that hunk of junk on eBay..
apease @ Aug 16th 2007 3:28PM
Hmm, I own close to 300 DVDs, and I'm not that rich, but I've been collecting since DVDs came out. Hell, I remember the format war with the original Divx, what a disaster that was. I own only 3 BRDs, but I don't have an HDTV yet. I know I'm getting one, and don't feel like wasting money buying a movie I want on DVD when it's already on blu-ray.
mccomber: "about 50% of that number had popped in a Blu-ray movie during the last 10 times they turned on the machine -- the other half didn't use the feature." That's what spin looks like. I don't know how good Sony's numbers are, but if NPD has to report the numbers in that convoluted a fashion, they're spinning big time. Like I said, I own 3 blu-ray movies, but I might not have watched one since the last ten times I turned on my ps3, I've been playing a lot of short sessions of Super Stardust and Dragon Quest 8.
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:30PM
@mccomber
I know thats why you take HMR report seriously not Sonys in this matter... Like said HMR gets all thier data from consumer retail stores and from online retail stores... thier #'s will be much more accurate..
Andy @ Aug 16th 2007 3:31PM
Yay for Paul Lach,
Andy @ Aug 16th 2007 3:32PM
And for people who own both a Blu-Ray device and an HD DVD device please only support Blu-Ray unless Universal makes the movie you want.
Wonderflex @ Aug 16th 2007 3:36PM
I've been purchasing 1 Blu-ray movie a month since I got my PS3 in January to help spur on the format. Not because I care what the name is on the format, or where it came from, but more so because I want the format with the most amount of storage space to win.
I currently burn a lot of data on to DVD's, and if Blu-ray became the next standard I would be even more the better.
I think that a Blu-ray success is a win for everybody (except for HDDVD and it's early adopters).
mccomber @ Aug 16th 2007 3:36PM
so... which numbers do you think are correct? That less than half of ps3 owners know their ps3 has a BluRay drive, or that 72% own at least one of said discs?
Because those are two very, very different findings about the same subject from two sources.
James @ Aug 16th 2007 3:37PM
I own 22 HD-DVD's, 5 Blu-Rays, and 512 Single DVD's, and 102 DVD Box Sets. Add that to the ridiculous amount of games and systems I own, and it's sadly clear that I have no life :P
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 3:40PM
I would believe the 72% stat because it would make sense logically that almost everyone owns at least one blu-ray disc if they own the hardware to play them of course...
Draco @ Aug 16th 2007 3:52PM
amazing how 72% can own a blu-ray movie when only 35% or whatever it was know PS3 can play Blu-Ray
Frosty @ Aug 16th 2007 4:25PM
Every time something is written about the ps3/360 'war' there are more people that say "oh boy... here comes the (circle one) ps3 / xbox360 flameboys..." and yet I count only one person post. Maybe 360 owners aren't as fueled about this stuff as ps3 owners me thinks. Who gives a shit.
Stellarpimp @ Aug 16th 2007 5:18PM
I'll be the first to say that 33% report is full of shit personally. It is extermely hard to believe only 33% of the PS3 owners out there realize they can play movies. Prior to its release that was all that was spoke of...it is the reason for its late arrival to the market. Are you honestly going to tell me only 33% of the PS3 owners don't understand how to use the Crossbar? It specifically states the options for BD in the options. The story about 72% owning one is much more realisic.
Also, majority of the PS3 owners owned a PS2. Are you going to tell me that they still don't realize they can watch movies on the PS3?
If nobody else will raise the BS flag...I will.
Stellarpimp @ Aug 16th 2007 5:21PM
Correction to my previous post...
Are you honestly going to tell me only 33% of the PS3 owners understand how to use the Crossbar?
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 5:25PM
@Samisin: "You are not winning anything with a 2:1 lead. Sure, you are in the lead, but the 33% the other faction has, it is not a small amout, especially not when we are talking about millions."
I think you are in just a little bit of denial dude... How often do see any positive HD-DVD news???
radioactiveseamonkey @ Aug 16th 2007 6:01PM
by the end of the holiday season we won't be that far behind. :P
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 6:13PM
Its not about 'loyality' or anything else like that for that matter, maybe with some but not me... I go with Sony products for QUALITY purposes only. Just like you are willing to wait for the HD format war to end, I as an early adopter was willing WAIT for games which is a much shorter wait than the format wars end... Enjoy your 360, just realize we enjoy our PS3's too(slim on games or not)...
Steve @ Aug 16th 2007 6:16PM
This doesn't match the stats the say 40% of PS3 owners didnt know the blu ray potential. One of the two reports is wrong.
radioactiveseamonkey @ Aug 16th 2007 6:16PM
well for most people i don't think it's about being "loyal". in this generation, it's pretty expensive to get all these great consoles. $500 + $400 + $250 is a lot of money. i chose the ps3 not becuz i'm "loyal" because i want to play the games coming out for it. and i don't think that the extra stuff on the blu-ray discs are crap. it gives developers enough room to do what the hell they want. which can turn out to be pretty sweet.
WARHAWK IN 12 DAYS!!! OMFG!
MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Aug 16th 2007 6:17PM
@38 Sony sells 5 million consoles and is gaining ground, the wii by the end of the holiday season will pass the 360 in sales, outside of the states the 360 seem to be slumping even with the price drop, PS2 may still is still beating out both next gen consoles in sales.
In other News...Bio Shock is not exclusive its also on the PC. if you want to enjoy the best experience buy it for the PC same goes for every 360 game and PS3 game on the PC. im buying Bio shock for the PC and Buying UTIII on the PS3 because i like the friends i got on my buddy list almost every 360 owner i no personaly has both systems and they say there getting it for the PS3 because it has a PC like experience with mouse and keyboard.
never$$hort @ Aug 16th 2007 6:19PM
Some people just DONT get it... I would NEVER NEVER NEVER buy a gaming console that as a 33%+ failure rate, is cheaply made and not future-proof... It doesnt matter how many games or on it or how good they are, if it BREAKS I DONT WANT IT... If Sony made such a low-quality system I wouldnt have bought it either, it has nothing to do with brand loyalty... Thats why we bash you 360 trolls, YOU DONT GET IT..
Anthony Pittarelli @ Aug 16th 2007 6:33PM
hd-dvd investors should just pack it in and call it day already
Derek @ Aug 16th 2007 6:45PM
I thiknk that Blue ray is winning because all these people have a PS3 with the drive and nothing else to stick in it. If i had a 360 and no good games available i would more then likly by the HD player and movies to go with it. BUT guess what i have games to play on my gaming consle. I no you guys are tired of hearing this but come on. the PS3 has been out long enough to stop the excuses. Oh your platform is going to win we all no that. i think thats why sony hasnt given you guys any good games, they want everybody to buy Blue ray movies. mayby after the format war you guys might get games. sorry i want sony to do well and they might one day. the better they do the better the 360 will do.
kingofwale @ Aug 16th 2007 8:46PM
>According to the results, only 40% of PlayStation 3 owners polled were aware the machine had a Blu-ray player
let's be clear, it was said that the HOUSE that owns a PS3, 40% knows about the blu-ray Feature. Heck, if my mom picked up the phone, she wouldn't be able to tell you what Blu-Ray is. but then again, she isn't the one buying games and blu-ray in the house. Completely flawed, and apparently more households who have xbox don't know about xbl. what a horrible research. it reveals NOTHING.
secret @ Aug 17th 2007 1:09AM
lol, Anthony
secret @ Aug 17th 2007 1:13AM
I'm not impressed by the 360 fanboys. So, Derek, if the 360 has so many games in the millions, then why do you own so little? Compared to the millions and millions of games out there, how many have you bought? Of those games you bought, how many do you still play with? It just goes on and on and on...there is so much to teach, but once you teach one 360, another idiot shows up. Then you have to teach him too. It never stops. There should be mass teachings.
secret @ Aug 17th 2007 1:14AM
Derek, are you saying 360 people play games alot? Where do 360 people find time for school and work? What does that say about you?
secret @ Aug 17th 2007 1:35AM
KsE, i forsee you comptemplating a purchase of a Bluray standalone someday along with other 360 people.
By the way, if the 360 is really powerful, has a lot of good features, and has a really large selection of good games, then why is it now beginning to compete on price like the Wii? Do you want to see which game system is the best? Ask Microsoft to raise the 360's price to the PS3's price, and we'll see who lasts the longests when they're standing toe-to-toe in terms of pricing. Because right now, the 360 is hiding like a chicken shit behind its lower price and acting like a Wii by competiting more on lower cost than on features and power.
But you can't really compare the two by price. One is a rotten lemon and the other is full-fledged Thanksgiving feast of a higher quality meal with more entrees. The prices have to be different. But for the most part, they're pretty much the same in pricing. I could care less about the price. I want the thanksgiving dinner.
Who the hell says that the PS3 doesn't have any great games? I've already bought Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Motorstorm, Virtua Fighter 5, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Fight Night 3, and Call of Duty 3. They satisfy pretty well, thanks. But it's more of a balance. If I felt the 360 can muster up games worth buying, I'd buy it. But do I feel the 360 has any games worth my attention that I can't get on a PS3 port? NO. Strangely, I don't feel like I'm missing out on not playing three games - Gears, Halo, and Bioshock. I'm not kicking myself, really. I'll be watching Transformers the Movie, all the Spiderman movies, all the Pixar movies, and the Chronicles of Narnia and Star Wars and Bridge to Terabithia on Bluray once they come out. All on one machine rated as one of the top bluray playback devices ever. Actually, of the millions of "great" games out of xbox360, I only hear of Gears and Halo and Bioshock. Uhm...that's three? That's alot? I hear MS only got 11 awards at E3 after having three and 1/2 years to make "great games". The PS3 is only an infant and already has 8 E3 awards. One taking top honors for best graphics. The other for originality. You can put game selection to rest now. PS3 is quality over quantity in sofware and hardware, unlike the 360. You're going to tell me the Wii has a better selection, now?
If there are so many great games, then why do you own so little games on the 360 after 3 years out of a millions of games out there that are must haves because they're so great?? You should own at least 500 or 800,000 games if they're all so great. Well, then why should a large selection matter to you then?
And how do you feel about someone molesting your 360 at the factory? I don't know about you, but I like being the only one who's handled my products. I wouldn't value my PS3 as much if it got sent to a factory and came back all scratched and smeared with fingerprints or something. Probably got even more banged up in the UPS truck back and forth and got thrown around a bit too. I don't think they would pamper your 360 at the factory. They'd just toss it in the batch.
BurnZ @ Aug 17th 2007 1:47AM
"72% of PS3 owners own Blu-ray movie"
I am part of that 72% but you have to remember that Sony gave away free Blu-Ray movies to PS3 owners like myself...