Blu-Ray takes on HD-DVD.

NPD Group is global market research company which provides information about manufacturers and retailers. According to their latest report, Blu-ray player sales increased after Warner’s announcement that they will go Blu-ray. Although, HD-DVD is less expensive than Blu-ray, in December, 60% players sold were Blu-ray in the first two weeks of January the Blu-ray had a 70% market share.

After Warner’s announcement, HD-DVD sales decreased to an unbelievable 7 percent rate which means Blu-ray had a 93 percent market share. If these media sales continue, HD-DVD manufacturers will have to take drastic measures and it’s up to them to decide what the players future will be.
Ive also found out that in the first week of January 2008 there was a total of 15,257 Blu-ray Disc units and 14,558 HD-DVD units sold, And that was prior to the Warner announcement, which came on January 4th, So for January week 2 after the announcement, The unit sales were as follows ,21,770 Blu-ray Disc units and 1,758 HD-DVD units.
So what is the future for Blu-Ray and HD-DVD? Blu-Ray definitely has the advantage at the moment with more capacity aswell as more entertainment companies that support Blu-Ray but HD-DVD are cheaper and in terms of compatibility, both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players will be capable of playing CDs and DVDs, but it won’t be possible to read a Blu-Ray disc on a HD-DVD player and vice-versa. It is technically possible to create a player that can read both formats, but it will probably cost almost double, as it will need two separated circuits inside the unit, one for each technology.