Big storm brewing: Blu-ray HD-DVD stalemate over by 2008

Blu-ray HD-DVD - Image 1Analyst Richard Cooper projects that the stalemate between HD-DVD and Blu-ray will also end next year. One factor that could eventually tip the scales is a key player in the industry making an alliance to one format. Unfortunately, Cooper didn’t give any specific name as to which studio that could be, however, his full assessment on the matter could shed light on this predicament. Read more for Cooper’s full quote.

Blu-ray HD-DVD - Image 1

In light of analyst Piers Harding-Rolls‘ earlier statement about consoles acting as multi-media hubs being the major factor for 2008, Richard Cooper, also an analyst, projects that the stalemate between HD-DVD and Blu-ray will also end next year.

The deciding factor in the ToshibaSony format wars will be one key player shifting the scales. Cooper didn’t mention which studio it could be, but here’s his full assessment:

Next year we expect to see shifting alliances, and with such a delicate stalemate, it’s only going to take one major player to swap sides and the market will shift seismically. We believe this will happen over the course of 2008, with major players moving to format-agnostic or format-exclusive positions. Both formats must start to make an impact on the HDTV viewer next year if hi-def is to become more than just a niche market – we have seen hardware prices drop in 2007, but the battle over content in 2008 will be the year this storm breaks.

Cooper suggests that either camp should capture the market and its consumers “who are beset with confusion and apathy” by enlightening them on the significance of high definition.

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