NY Times: No One Winning Blu-ray-HD DVD War
The newspaper also suggests that a winner may not emerge anytime soon.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 31, 2007) -- The Blu-ray/HD DVD high-def disc format war has reached a stalemate with no winner in sight.
That's the conclusion of an article in today's New York Times.
The newspaper reports that 18 months after the two formats were introduced, neither side appears to be pulling away. Plus, combined player sales have only reached the one million mark.
"What if nobody wins the high-definition DVD format wars? That increasingly looks to be the situation for the next-generation DVD technology, which is available to consumers in two incompatible formats," the article states.
The Times reports that high-def DVD player prices have fallen to under $300 (under $200 for some HD DVD players), but suggests that content will ultimately decide which format consumers choose.
Four major studios now support Blu-ray while two back HD DVD. Warner Bros. is releasing titles in both formats.
"Consumers are usually advised to wait until a clear winner emerges. But if there is a deciding factor, it might be which format has the more compelling movies," the newspaper writes.
Commentary:
The Times article expertly summarizes the obstacles facing the high-def DVD industry. With Blu-ray and HD DVD forces butting heads, most consumers will decide to butt out and play their standard-def DVDs instead.
However, I predict that the studios will simply not stand for this stalemate much longer. The longer it goes on, the more money they will lose.
Consequently, I believe that the studios will push Sony (the biggest Blu-ray supporter) and Toshiba (HD DVD's leading backer) to reach a compromise in 2008 for a single format.
If that compromise is not reached, both player and disc sales will continue to disappoint. And if that occurs, I predict that the studios will take matters into their own hands and invest more time and money into developing other methods of delivering their movies, such as video downloads.
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NBC & CBS to Air Patriots-Giants In HDTV
The networks agree to rare simulcast of professional sports event.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 26, 2007) -- CBS and NBC have agreed to carry this Saturday's historic game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants in High-Definition.
The two networks will show a simulcast of the NFL Network's HDTV broadcast of the game, Seth Palansky, a NFL Network spokesman, told TVPredictions.com this evening.
Standard-def viewers will get the SD broadcast, the spokesman said.
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Will Cable TV Air the Patriots-Giants Game?
Time Warner and others continue to argue with the NFL Network.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 26, 2007) -- The New England Patriots this Saturday will attempt to become the first NFL team in 35 years to go undefeated for the entire season.
However, the Patriots' season-closing game against the New York Giants, which will be broadcast in SD and HD by the NFL Network, may not be available to millions of cable TV viewers.
Time Warner, Cablevision and Charter have refused to carry the NFL Network, charging the network with demanding unreasonable terms. (Cox and Comcast do carry the SD and high-def signals.)
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Study: High-Def DVD Prices to Fall Fast
Understanding & Solutions says the players' manufacturing cost is falling below $150.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 23, 2007) -- Blu-ray and HD DVD player prices should fall dramatically in early 2008, according to a report from the UK-based research group, Understanding & Solutions.
Blu-ray players are now under $300 at some online and retail stores with HD DVD players under $200. But U&S says the manufacturing cost for both formats will fall under $150 in early 2008.
The research group says the lower manufacturing costs will lead to lower street prices.
“Drive, chipset and other system components are now benefiting from economies of scale," says Bill Foster, the group's senior technology consultant. "In early 2008 we’re going to see the 'bill of materials' for a basic High Definition player, in either format, weighing in at less than $150, and that’s going to impact the high street very soon, providing the consumer with a choice of low price players that allow CE companies a margin for profit.”
U&S added that the lower player prices could help decide the format war sooner than anticipated. Blu-ray and HD DVD are rival formats competing for the new high-def disc audience.
“As demand grows and manufacturing volumes build, we’re going to see the costs of releasing on two different formats really start to bite. There may be surprises just around the corner, and we could see a lot more format clarity in 2008," the company stated.
U&S also said it did not believe Paramount's decision last August to endorse HD DVD exclusively has had a serious impact on the format war. (Two studios now support HD DVD while four support Blu-ray; Warner Bros. is currently neutral.)
The research group noted that Blu-ray disc sales have outpaced HD DVD by a 2-1 margin since the Paramount endorsement.
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DIRECTV Adds HD Movie to On Demand
The service allows subscribers to order films over high-speed Internet lines.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 24, 2007) -- DIRECTV has added the High-Definition version of Evan Almighty to its Broadband-enabled Video on Demand service.
The service, which offers roughly 2,000 shows and movies from networks such as Discovery and CNN, is being tested in select homes that have DIRECTV HD DVRs.
DIRECTV is expected to roll out the service to all HD DVR homes once the testing is completed. Called DIRECTV On Demand (DOD), the service allows subscribers to order programs via high-speed Internet lines.
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Blu-ray Gets Adult Film Support
Digital Playground says PS3 owners are demanding films in the format.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 20, 2007) -- Digital Playground, a leading adult film studio, will release its first Blu-ray movie (Pirates) in January.
That's according to an article by CEPro.com.
Digital Playground's decision is significant because company founder Joone blasted Blu-ray earlier this year, charging its backers, particularly Sony, with blocking the adult industry's effort to release films in the high-def disc format.
Joone said Digital Playground, and other adult studios, would likely embrace rival high-def format HD DVD by default.
However, Joone now tells CePro that PlayStation 3 owners have been demanding that the studio release movies in the Blu-ray format. (PlayStation 3 has a Blu-ray player inside.)
“A lot of people were emailing that bought a PlayStation and they were basically saying, ‘When are you guys going to release Blu-ray?’ They really have no preference in format yet because it’s so now. When it comes down to image quality, there is no difference between the two."
Joone acknowledges that it's less expensive to release a title on HD DVD.
“It costs a lot more to put out a title on Blu-ray," he told the web site.
Joone added that Digital Playground, which has released a handful of films on HD DVD, has an 80 percent market share in the adult category for high-def DVD porn. And the company will continue to release films in both formats "until there is a clear-cut winner.”
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Here is the text summary of Swanni's ninth prediction for 2008:
Apple will dump Apple TV by year's end. Despite much hype, the Internet TV set-top has been a bust, selling only about 400,000 units. Apple will try to boost sales in early 2008 by introducing some new features such as high-def video. But it won't work, largely because Americans have "set-top fatigue."
To see a video of Swanni's ninth prediction for 2008, click: Swanni.
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News & Commentary
MovieBeam's VOD Service Shuts Down
The company's set-top offered new video releases directly to the home.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 19, 2007) -- MovieBeam, the VOD set-top service once backed by Disney, has gone out of business.
The Associated Press reports that MovieBeam, which is now owned by video retailer Movie Gallery, generated just 1,800 subscribers in four years.
The MovieBeam set-top, which was available at retail and online, delivered standard-def and HDTV movies to the home using a PBS datacast space. The movies were available for small rental fees under $5.
Disney expressed hope at launch that MovieBeam would bypass the cable and satellite operators and provide programming directly to the consumer.
However, despite much hype at launch, the service never took off with consumers seemingly unwilling to bring another TV-based set-top into the home.
Commentary:
MovieBeam's failure should be a lesson for any company trying to sell a TV-based set-top at retail. Americans have set-top fatigue -- and they are tired of stacking set-top upon set-top next to their televisions. In many homes, they already have a cable/satellite box, a DVD player, a VCR, a video game player and perhaps even an A/V receiver. Enough is enough.
This is why MovieBeam failed. It's why TiVo is struggling to generate subscribers outside of cable/satellite partnerships. And it could a reason why the high-def DVD players are lagging in sales.
For a new set-top to succeed, it has to offer a service so powerful that Americans will ignore their set-top fatigue and give it a try. MovieBeam clearly was not that service.
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EchoStar's Dish Network to Add MOJO?
The channel is listed on EchoStar's web site
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 19, 2007) -- EchoStar's Dish Network could be close to adding MOJO, the high-def network owned by a cable TV consortium.
At the web site for Dish magazine, the programming guide for Dish Network, MOJO is listed as one of the Dish channels that will offer "holiday programming" this month.
When you click on MOJO HD at the site, three programs are listed, starting with MOJO's annual "Yule Log" broadcast which begins at 7 a.m. ET on Christmas day.
Francie Bauer, an EchoStar spokeswoman, this morning said the magazine listing is a "misprint." However, she refused to comment further when asked if the company was denying that it would add MOJO by January 1.
A MOJO spokeswoman had yet to respond to our inquiry this morning.
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HDTV: 2007's Winners & Losers
Which companies gained the most -- or the least -- from the current year?
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2007) -- High-Definition TV has certainly had a big year, generating huge sales at retail and almost becoming a household staple in the United States.
However, as 2007 comes to a close, you can't say that every high-def company will be celebrating on New Year's Eve. The industry produced a number of prominent losers as well as winners during the year.
After our usual exhaustive research, TVPredictions.com has compiled our list for the year's top Winners & Losers in HDTV.
The list is based not just on how much revenue a company produced but whether it met its goals and promises.
So, here are our 2007 Winners & Losers for HDTV!
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Can DIRECTV Reach 100 HD Channels?
The satcaster is still about 15 short of its promised goal.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2007) -- DIRECTV stunned the industry last January by announcing that it would offer 100 High-Definition channels by year's end.
"Where the world is going is into HD. None of the (competition) is going to bring you 100 channels of HD," Eric Shanks, executive vice president of entertainment for DIRECTV, told Reuters during the Consumer Electronics Show in January.
However, with less than two weeks to go in 2008, DIRECTV says it now has about 85 national HD channels.
And that count includes channels that some might say are not really channels, such as regional sports networks whose professional sports broadcasts are not available in all markets.
At its web site, DIRECTV lists seven HD channels that are coming "this fall and winter," but at least a few of them are not expected to be launched until next year.
So to reach its goal of 100 HDTV channels by year's end, it would appear that DIRECTV would either have to launch some channels previously unannounced and/or pad its lineup with Pay Per View channels and more regional sports networks.
While DIRECTV may not meet its goal, the satcaster has still succeeded in becoming the clear leader in high-def programming, offering more channels than any other TV provider.
However, if it fails to offer 100 HD channels by January 1, it could be subject to charges from the competition that it failed to delivered on its promise.
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Time Warner: 'Unlimited' HDTV Coming Soon
The company's CEO makes strong commitment to high-def.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2007) -- Time Warner CEO Glenn Britt says the cable operator will soon be able to offer an "unlimited" amount of High-Definition programming.
In an with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Britt says Time Warner Cable is installing a new technology that will expand its high-def capacity.
While he didn't name the technology, Time Warner has been testing a new technology called Switched Digital Video that promises to offer more system space.
"We are putting in technology where we will essentially be able to have unlimited High-Definition," Britt told the newspaper. "In the next several months, we're going to be adding them rapidly."
"I'm a big believer in high-def, by the way," he added.
Time Warner now offers roughly 30 high-def channels in most markets, but has previously stated that it will soon be able to match satcasters DIRECTV and EchoStar which offer dozens of HD networks.
Britt did not name any new HD channels that Time Warner will add in the near future.
However, he chided DIRECTV, suggesting that it's promoting HDTV channels that don't broadcast full-time in high-def.
"I will admit they've done a wonderful job of marketing this," said Britt. "I would also say they are, if you look at the fine print, they are advertising a whole lot of channels that don't exist in High-Definition yet."
In other issues, Britt told the Journal-Sentinel that the cable operator is not close to making a deal with either the NFL Network or the Big Ten Network.
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Swanni's 2008 Predictions: DIRECTV & EchoStar Will Merge
The high-def guru makes his seventh prediction.
By Allison Moore
HD Diva
Washington, D.C. (December 17, 2007) -- Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has been making predictions about TV technology issues for several years with an incredible rate of success.
For instance, Swanni was the first to say Voom's satellite TV service would fail; that Apple TV would be a bust; and that Interactive TV programs would never reach a mass audience in the United States.
"I'm not always right, but I will put my record up against anyone," Swanni says.
And now, Swanni is kicking off his forecasts for High-Definition TV in the coming year.
The video commentary below includes Swanni's seventh prediction -- satcasters DIRECTV and EchoStar will merge!
To see Swanni's seventh prediction, go to:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/swanniseven121707.htm
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Sony Blu-ray Player Drops Under $300
Amazon and big box retailers offering it for $299 or less.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 17, 2007) -- Sony's BDP-S300 Blu-ray player is now available at Amazon.com, Best Buy and Circuit City for less than $300.
Amazon today is offering the player for $294 -- and it comes with seven free Blu-ray movies: Spider-man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and five more Blu-ray discs via a mail-in rebate.
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DIRECTV Ends 'HD Extra Pack' Preview
High-def owners must now pay $4.99 a month extra for five channels.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 16, 2007) -- DIRECTV today ended its free preview of a five channel High-Definition TV package.
The 'HD Extra Pack,' which includes MHD, Universal HD, HDNet Movies, Smithsonian HD and MGM HD, now costs an extra $4.99 a month.
However, the first three months are free after you sign up. To order the package, you must call DIRECTV or adjust your account at DIRECTV.com.
In addition to the $4.99 fee, DIRECTV HD subscribers must pay a $9.99 monthly "HD access fee" to receive the remaining high-def channels.
However, you don't have to pay an extra fee unless you order the HD Extra Pack.
The HD Extra Pack channels have been included in the $9.99 programming tier since September when DIRECTV began expanding its high-def lineup. The satcaster said at the time that it would move the channels to the $4.99 'Extra' tier in mid-December.
DIRECTV had planned to include HDNet in the Extra Pack as well. But HDNet filed a lawsuit to block the move. The companies settled the suit this month, agreeing to move HDNet Movies to the Extra Pack but keeping HDNet in the $9.99 tier.
MGM HD and Smithsonian HD went dark this morning when DIRECTV began to end the free preview. The remaining HD Extra Pack channels are expected shortly to go dark, too, unless a subscriber orders the $4.99 package.
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Blu-ray Widens Sales Lead Over HD DVD
New Pirates movie drives more sales.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 16, 2007) -- Despite the introduction of low-cost HD DVD players, Blu-ray disc sales again walloped HD DVD for the week ending December 9.
According to Nielsen VideoScan, Blu-ray accounted for 76 percent of all high-def discs sold during the week, compared to just 24 percent for HD DVD.
During the week of Thanksgiving, Blu-ray captured 72.6 percent, compared to 27.4 for HD DVD. And for the year, Blu-ray disc sales are outpacing HD DVD by roughly 65-35.
The introduction of HD DVD players under $200 in early November led some analysts to speculate that the Toshiba-backed format would finally overcome Blu-ray's advantage in disc sales.
However, Blu-ray's continued sales strength will likely stir speculation that more studios, such as Warner Bros., will eventually side with the Sony-backed format.
The widening sales lead for the week of December can be attributed in part to the Blu-ray release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, which reportedly sold 160,000 copies in one week.
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Jessica Alba: Hottest Celebrity In HDTV?
DIRECTV asks high-def owners for their faves in high-def.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 13, 2007) -- Jessica Alba is the world's "hottest celebrity" in High-Definition TV, according to a DIRECTV survey of 400 HDTV owners.
The satcaster said Angelina Jolie was a "close runner-up" in the poll, but House's Hugh Laurie also made the list.
Looking to promote its new expanded HDTV lineup, DIRECTV asked high-def owners for their favorites in several categories, including hottest celebrity, favorite show and even the best animal to watch in HD.
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Warner Denies Blu-ray Switch
The company says it plans to support both formats.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 13, 2007) -- Warner Bros. says it has not decided to back Blu-ray exclusively in the high-def disc format war against HD DVD.
Asked by syndicated columnist Don Lindich about reports that it would support Blu-ray, Warner General manager Jim Noonan issued this statement:
“We have made no decision to change our present policy which is to produce in both HD DVD and Blu-ray.”
Warner is the last major studio to release movies in both high-def disc formats. (Four major studios are backing Blu-ray while two are supporting HD DVD.) But there have been rumors that Warner is considering abandoning its neutral stance and endorse one format.
Pali Research analyst Rich Greenfield yesterday issued a report predicting that Warner will support Blu-ray. (As did this web site. See: Warner Bros. to Endorse Blu-ray) He said that Warner's endorsement could end the format war in 2008.
“If Warner Bros. and New Line shift exclusively to Blu-ray in early 2008, Universal and Paramount/Dreamworks will not have enough titles to sustain HD DVD for much longer," Greenfield said, referring to the two studios that back HD DVD exclusively.
Pali Research is the research arm of Pali Capital, a full-service financial brokerage.
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DIRECTV Buys ReplayTV
The company makes DVR recording software.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 13, 2007) -- DIRECTV has purchased Digital Video Recorder pioneer ReplayTV from D&M Holdings.
That's according to an article by Reuters.
The companies did not announce terms of the deal, nor did DIRECTV disclose its plans for ReplayTV, which first launched a consumer DVR in 1997.
Since that launch, however, ReplayTV has changed ownership hands a few times and left the hardware business. The company now makes software for video recording features, mostly for computers.
DIRECTV could use ReplayTV's software in its company-owned DVRs and HD DVRs.
The satcaster recently has used DVR software from third-party vendor Pace and sister company NDS.
News Corp. has a controlling interest in DIRECTV and NDS. However, News Corp. will soon transfer control of DIRECTV to Liberty Media.
The ReplayTV acquisition also could suggest that DIRECTV has no plans to resume its marketing relationship with TiVo, which also first launched a DVR in 1997.
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Swanni's 2008 Predictions: Warner Bros. to Endorse Blu-ray
The high-def guru makes his sixth prediction.
By Allison Moore
HD Diva
Washington, D.C. (December 12, 2007) -- Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has been making predictions about TV technology issues for several years with an incredible rate of success.
For instance, Swanni was the first to say Voom's satellite TV service would fail; that Apple TV would be a bust; and that Interactive TV programs would never reach a mass audience in the United States.
"I'm not always right, but I will put my record up against anyone," Swanni says.
And now, Swanni is kicking off his forecasts for High-Definition TV in the coming year.
The video commentary below includes Swanni's sixth prediction -- Warner Bros. will endorse Blu-ray in the high-def disc format war against HD DVD.
To see Swanni's Prediction #6 for 2008, click below:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/swannisix121207.htm
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Could the Writers' Strike Hurt HDTV Sales?
Viewers might start wondering if the extra expense will be worthwhile.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 12, 2007) -- First, experts warned there could be an economic slowdown in 2008. Then, news reports said TV makers and retailers this year would not offer deep discounts on high-def sets.
And now, the entire primetime TV schedule could soon be dominated with repeats and non-HD reality shows thanks to the writers' strike in Hollywood. Even worse, there are no signs that the strike will end anytime soon.
The recent developments, particularly the strike, could have an impact on High-Definition set sales this holiday season. While most forecasts have predicted another healthy increase in HD holiday sales, they have not taken into account the writers' strike.
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Sony CEO Dams Blu-ray With Faint Praise -- Again
CEO Howard Stringer says it's unclear which high-def disc format war will win.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 11, 2007) -- Sony's Howard Stringer is at it again.
The chief executive of Sony, the top supporter of the Blu-ray high-def DVD format, tells the Associated Press that he doesn't know whether Blu-ray or HD DVD will win the format war.
Stringer said he believes Blu-ray is winning, but suggested that his company's format fave is hardly running away with the race.
"We have momentum," he told the wire service. "But that's all we have at the moment."
Last this month, Stringer said in a speech in New York that the battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD had become a "stalemate." (Blu-ray and HD DVD are rival formats competing for the new high-def disc audience.)
Saying it's a "difficult fight," Stringer even openly speculated what Sony would do if HD DVD prevailed. (Basically, stop including Blu-ray players in Play Station 3 game consoles.)
The comments ignited a storm of controversy at blogs and Internet message boards with some posters saying that Stringer seemed to be throwing in the towel.
The Sony chief seemed to try to make amends a few week later in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
He told the publication that Blu-ray has the "scale" to eventually defeat HD DVD.
The Sony executive noted that four major studios, including Disney and Fox, are exclusively supporting Blu-ray over HD DVD. (Two majors are backing HD DVD exclusively; studios that back one format over another only release titles in that format.)
But now Stringer appears to have reversed course once again, saying all that Blu-ray has is "momentum."
Stringer's remarks are at odds with other Blu-ray backers such as executives at Panasonic who have said Blu-ray has already won. His latest comments could fuel more speculation that Sony would be open to a single format negotiation with Toshiba, the leading supporter of HD DVD.
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Swanni's 2008 Predictions: The Digital TV Disaster
The high-def guru makes his fourth prediction.
By Allison Moore
HD Diva
Washington, D.C. (December 6, 2007) -- Phillip Swann, president of TVPredictions.com, has been making predictions about TV technology issues for several years with an incredible rate of success.
For instance, Swanni was the first to say Voom's satellite TV service would fail; that Apple TV would be a bust; and that Interactive TV programs would never reach a mass audience in the United States.
"I'm not always right, but I will put my record up against anyone," Swanni says.
And now, Swanni is kicking off his forecasts for High-Definition TV in the coming year.
The video commentary below includes Swanni's fourth prediction -- will people buy Digital TV converter boxes next year in anticipation of the February 2009 switch to Digital TV? Or, will the program be a total disaster?
To see Swanni's prediction, please go to:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/swannifour121107.htm
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Vudu to Offer HD Movies Same Day as DVD Release
The films are delivered online to Vudu's $399 set-top.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 11, 2007) -- Vudu, the VOD set-top service, is planning to offer new video releases in High-Definition the same day they are released on DVD.
That's according to an article by The Associated Press.
Traditionally, the studios wait between 30 and 45 days after the DVD release before making a new film available on Video on Demand or Pay-Per-View. This is to give video retailers an opportunity to maximize profits.
However, Vudu today will begin a test of 'same day' releases with The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon, which also makes its DVD and HD DVD debut today.
The Associated Press reports that it will be the first of many 'same day' high-def movies offered by Vudu.
Vudu sells a $399 VUDU set-top that enables users to download movies over a high-speed Internet connection.
The VUDU box, which first went on sale last month, offers 5,000 standard-definition films, which can be rented for around $3.99.
Some films, including the HD edition of the new Bourne film, can be purchased, meaning it can be stored permanently on the set-top. Vudu customers can buy the high-def Bourne Ultimatum for $24.99.
AP writes that Universal Pictures, which released the latest Bourne film, is one of the studios participating in the 'same day' Vudu test.
The wire service reports that some studio executives are concerned that the ongoing high-def disc format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD is slowing sales in that new category. Consequently, they are anxious to test a new digital delivery system, such as Vudu.
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News & Commentary
LG Unveils 'Next Gen' Dual-Format HDTV Player
The set-top can play both Blu-ray and HD DVDs.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (December 10, 2007) -- LG Electronics today launched its next-generation dual-format HDTV DVD player.
Priced at $999, the "LG Super Blu Player" (model BH200) can play both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. The company says it's now available at leading consumer electronics retailers.
The LG BH200 follows the company's first dual-format player (BH100) which was launched last January. LG says the dual-format player is targeted to consumers who are unsure about which high-def disc format to choose.
Blu-ray and HD DVD are rival formats for the new high-def disc audience.
"LG introduced the BH200 to focus on consumer needs by ending the confusion caused by the current format war," Allan Jason, LG's vice president of consumer electronics marketing, said in a statement. "This second generation, dual-format player allows consumers to enjoy their favorite movies, features and extras, regardless of format, on the best-in-class high-definition media player."
LG notes that the dual-format player offers access to between 50 and 70 percent more movie titles than a single-format player. (Some movies are available only on Blu-ray while others are released only on HD DVD.)
The company adds that the BH200 is equipped to handle Blu-ray's new "BD Profile 1.1" discs, which will include interactive features such as picture-in-picture in 2008.
In addition, it will provide access to Internet-connection interactive features from current HD DVDs such as shopping.
Commentary:
At $999, LG''s attempt to be the peacemaker in the high-def DVD still falls far short.
Really, why buy the dual player at that price when you can now buy both an entry-level HD DVD player (under $200) and Blu-ray player (Samsung's Blu-ray now under $300) for less than $500 combined? It just doesn't make sense.
While consumers are concerned about picking the wrong format, they are not so concerned that they will spend nearly $1,000. For goodness sakes, at that price, they could buy a 42-inch Plasma HDTV at some stores.
By most accounts, the first LG dual-format player has accounted for less than three percent of overall high-def player sales. At $999, that percentage will not be going up.
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