Blu-ray still ahead, gets boost from 300

Thanks to recent Spartan blockbuster 300, the Blu-ray format has extended its lead over rival HD-DVD in terms of discs and players sold in the United States.

According to Home Media Research, 300 has sold 250,000 copies in HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats combined. Of that figure, 65 percent was credited to Blu-ray while 35 percent was contributed by HD-DVD.

The film is now the biggest-selling HD movie yet. The Spider-Man movies and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End are also expected to sell well during their holiday season releases. Blu-ray is expected to edge HD-DVD in sales again.

Analysts and research groups say that the success of Blu-ray as a format can be credited to Sony‘s PlayStation 3 game console which has a Blu-ray drive included in its specifications. The distribution of the PS3 broadened the Blu-ray market significantly by growing the user base.

With all the success tallied by the next-gen format groups, some research groups still say that high-definition still isn’t enjoying mass support. The ABI Research firm, for one, thinks prices should dip for greater sales to follow.

“There will be downward pressure on prices for players of all types: ABI Research believes that prices will have to drop below $200 before true mass adoption takes off,” writes the firm.

Thanks to recent Spartan blockbuster 300, the Blu-ray format has extended its lead over rival HD-DVD in terms of discs and players sold in the United States.

According to Home Media Research, 300 has sold 250,000 copies in HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats combined. Of that figure, 65 percent was credited to Blu-ray while 35 percent was contributed by HD-DVD.

The film is now the biggest-selling HD movie yet. The Spider-Man movies and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End are also expected to sell well during their holiday season releases. Blu-ray is expected to edge HD-DVD in sales again.

Analysts and research groups say that the success of Blu-ray as a format can be credited to Sony‘s PlayStation 3 game console which has a Blu-ray drive included in its specifications. The distribution of the PS3 broadened the Blu-ray market significantly by growing the user base.

With all the success tallied by the next-gen format groups, some research groups still say that high-definition still isn’t enjoying mass support. The ABI Research firm, for one, thinks prices should dip for greater sales to follow.

“There will be downward pressure on prices for players of all types: ABI Research believes that prices will have to drop below $200 before true mass adoption takes off,” writes the firm.