Published: Friday 3rd July, 2009 | Author: Parm Mann
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email to a friendTony Smith of The Register reports:
Britons may be turning away from the DVD, but Blu-Ray Disc isn't replacing the decade-old format in consumers' affections.
The British Video Association (BVA) this week said DVD sales in the UK during the first six months of 2009 were down 9.5 per cent by volume - and considerably more than that by value - compared to the totals published this time last year.
By contrast, year-on-year UK BD sales were up 231 per cent. Which sounds good, until you see that it still only amounts to unit sales of a little more than 3.1m during the first six months of 2009 - up from 1.3m in the first six months of 2008.
There were 99.6m DVDs sold in the same period.
Even so, the BVA said that: "The continuing success of Blu-ray is testament to the growth of consumer confidence in the high-definition format."
Maybe, but BD is still clearly far from mainstream in the UK. Factor the Blu-ray 'boom' into the packaged media market and the value of the sales fell 14 per cent between H1 2008 and H1 2009, showing just how far DVD prices have plunged.
The BVA said that the recession was a key factor in the decline, not only because of its effect on consumer spending but for bringing about the demise of major retailers Zavvi and Woolworths - between then 15 per cent of the UK disc retail market.
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Studios will blame "piracy" for drop in sales, not high prices or poor content. They always do.
Absolutely! I've only ever downloaded a few episodes of TV when my recorder (or memory!) lets me down. And I've bought a few DVDs over the years, but not many once the intial enthusiasm for the 'new, exciting' format died down.
The boxed set of 'The Wire' was worth every penny... well, until The BBC put it on for free several months later. :-) And I still intend adding The Sopranos to my collection when the price is right. But on the whole most of the (few) DVDs I've cracked and bought recently have been a waste of money. A little more patience, research or common sense and I could've saved money.
I'm sure downloading costs some sales, but I think it's far more likely that the profligate spending/borrowing of the last decade or so has led to a very inflated idea of what good DVD sales are. Many of those sales will probably be to the 'must have it now' crowd who are now flapping around helplessly in the dried up oceans of credit.
We live in interesting times. Maybe along with that will eventually come some interesting titles worth paying to own.
Andrew McPQuote
Honestly, there is a massive noticeable difference, if you honestly cannot see the difference you either need a better TV or you need to change the distance you sit from your TV.
I think that the price needs to come down if they want it to ever hit mainstream. as for me, well i only buy really good action movies on blu-ray such as Transformers (2007 movie), i wouldn't bother getting Blu-ray for a comedy, ROMCOM, etc.
The thing is I know my TV isn’t the best, it’s a half decent Samsung from a few years back does 1080p, but I have been down to the local TV shop where they have decent upscalling DVD players sitting next to decent blu-ray players showing the same thing on the same TVs and I honestly cant see what the fuss is. It doesn’t offer enough of an improvement to warrant the expense because to get the full benefit I would need a new TV and a decent surround system.
I would say if I would get a new TV and a new blu-ray player I would see a huge improvement but only slightly more than if I got the same TV and a decent DVD player.
Then again I own 500 DVDs and have only ever watched half of them and only one or two more than once.Quote
some films i can watch again and again and not get bored of.Quote
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