That's the conclusion of a new study from ABI Research, as reported by Video Business.
The Play Station 3, which retails for $399, includes a Blu-ray player inside and past research has indicated that many PS3 owners are using the player, which has helped drive sales of Blu-ray high-def discs.
However, in a survey of 1,000 consumers, ABI found that more than half said they have no plans to purchase a standalone Blu-ray set-top in the near future. About 25 percent said they would likely buy one, but not until 2009.
The news is not good for Blu-ray manufacturers which plan to issue several new models later this year.
However, it could suggest that Blu-ray manufacturers need to lower the prices on its standalone players so they are clearly less expensive than the PS3; most new models start at $399, the same price as the PS3, which also serves as a game player.
Thanks to the success of the PS3, ABI says Blu-ray penetration continues to rise.
“While you might think gamers purchase fewer movie discs than others, we didn’t see any significant evidence of that in our results,” ABI principal analyst Steve Wilson told Video Business. “PS3 console shipments will go a long way to help bring down manufacturing costs and drive down Blu-ray player prices.”
ABI research also indicated that standalone Blu-ray player prices need to fall before they will take off.
_______________________________________________________
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
______________________________________________________
Phillip Swann is
president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in
dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox
News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The
Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The
Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
Click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV
technology.