Blu-ray ain't getting any traction 12 May 2008

BusinessWeek reports that Blu-ray is struggling to gain any sort of traction. Sony is blaming a scarcity of Blu-ray players; however, analysts are pointing to a number other factors. Many analysts feel that Blu-ray just isn't enough of an improvement on DVD. Sure, you get a crisper picture and there's more room for extras - but how much do people really care about these things? Skeptics also note that, when it comes down to it, most movies don't actually look any better on Blu-ray. It seems that it's only action flicks that benefit from Blu-ray viewing - comedies, dramas and family films look pretty much the same as on DVD.

The global credit crunch is also depressing Blu-ray sales. Blu-ray discs are about $11 more expensive than their DVD counterparts; while Blu-ray players cost around $400 vs. $60 for a standard DVD player. These prices are hardly likely to make converts out of the cash-strapped.

It therefore looks like THX may well be proved right. Blu-ray may well have arrived too late to the party. Especially when you consider that Apple, Netflix and Amazon are all due to launch their movie downloading services in the very near future.