That's according to an article in Video Business.
Standalone HD DVD player sales has surpassed its rival Blu-ray since the two high-def disc formats were launched last year. (Although Blu-ray enjoys a wide lead in home penetration because the Sony PlayStation 3 has a Blu-ray player inside.)
But Video Business reports that Sony's recent decision to lower the price of its Blu-ray player to $499 is having an immediate impact on sales. (Toshiba's entry-level HD DVD player is $299.)
Ultimate Electronics and Abt Electronics tell the publication that Blu-ray players have been outselling HD DVD players in the last several weeks. However, Toshiba's second-generation HD DVD players remain the best-selling individual units.
“It’s a slight lead (for Blu-ray), not a huge margin, but we expected this to happen as (Ultimate) is selling three HD DVD players, versus five Blu-ray players. There is a depth point of view now,” Matt Duda, Ultimate director of merchandising for video, told Video Business.
“With all of the introductions of Blu-ray product, we have seen more sales in BD than in HD DVD, because there are so many options now out for consumers,” added John Abt, vice president of Abt Electronics.
Some retailers said Blu-ray player sales might even be better if Panasonic would ship its new $599 Blu-ray player to more stores.
"If the Blu-ray group wants to put a death knell on HD DVD, then they need to get it everywhere very quickly," said Bjorn Dybdahl, president of the San Antonio-based Bjorn's.
A Panasonic spokesman told Video Business that retailers should expect more shipments this month.
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