HD-DVD Group hits back as Woolworths picks Blu-ray
Published by Admin on 6.2.08 at 2/06/2008 08:10:00 AM.
The HD-DVD Promotion Group has gone on the offensive after Woolworths announced plans to delist HD-DVD discs in favour of Blu-ray.
"While we are disappointed by Woolworths' decision, it is extremely early to spot which format will eventually win," said Olivier Van Wynendaele, European assistant general manager at HD-DVD backer Toshiba.
"UK consumers can now pick-up an HD-DVD player for less than £150, around half the cost of other HD formats. Even before pricing reached this level, HD-DVD represented more than 60 per cent of the overall standalone HD market."
Van Wynendaele claimed that HD-DVD has enjoyed greater software sales per player than any other HD format, and that HD-DVD owners have bought around 3.5 movies each, compared to less than one movie sold per Blu-ray device.
Woolworths announced its formal backing of Blu-ray on 28 January with the decision to ditch HD-DVDs by March.
The company cited Christmas shopping statistics which showed that Blu-ray discs had outsold HD-DVD titles by a factor of 10 to one.
The retailer's move to Blu-ray is designed to coincide with the release of Pixar movie Ratatouille, which will accompany a new Blu-ray chart and a back catalogue across all 820 Woolworths outlets in the UK.
"Sales figures clearly show that the market is moving towards one high-definition DVD format. The main reason is the success of Sony's PlayStation 3," said Steven McGunigel, DVD buyer at Woolworths. Link
"While we are disappointed by Woolworths' decision, it is extremely early to spot which format will eventually win," said Olivier Van Wynendaele, European assistant general manager at HD-DVD backer Toshiba.
"UK consumers can now pick-up an HD-DVD player for less than £150, around half the cost of other HD formats. Even before pricing reached this level, HD-DVD represented more than 60 per cent of the overall standalone HD market."
Van Wynendaele claimed that HD-DVD has enjoyed greater software sales per player than any other HD format, and that HD-DVD owners have bought around 3.5 movies each, compared to less than one movie sold per Blu-ray device.
Woolworths announced its formal backing of Blu-ray on 28 January with the decision to ditch HD-DVDs by March.
The company cited Christmas shopping statistics which showed that Blu-ray discs had outsold HD-DVD titles by a factor of 10 to one.
The retailer's move to Blu-ray is designed to coincide with the release of Pixar movie Ratatouille, which will accompany a new Blu-ray chart and a back catalogue across all 820 Woolworths outlets in the UK.
"Sales figures clearly show that the market is moving towards one high-definition DVD format. The main reason is the success of Sony's PlayStation 3," said Steven McGunigel, DVD buyer at Woolworths. Link