Blu-ray market won’t pick up for at least a year

Despite Toshiba surrendering in the HD optical disc format war months ago, the market for Blu-ray Disc players hasn’t kicked into high gear and won’t do so for 12 to 18 months, according to a new study from ABI Research.

According to the research organization, the Blu-ray player and optical drive markets must undergo further evolution before reaching their full potential. Consumer electronics manufacturers need to introduce full-featured players and then get prices down to the $200 level to give the Blu-ray market a jolt.

In 2008, PlayStation 3 players will make up more than 85 percent of the Blu-ray players in the field, and PS3 sales are picking up steam. This lead will continue until 2013 when the installed base of consumer electronic- and PC-based Blu-ray Disc players finally overtakes the installed base of PS3s, the research group said.

ABI Research’s recent study, "High-Definition DVD for the PC Market," examines the market for high-def DVD support in the PC market.

For more information, visit http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/NBAC.