PriceGrabber.com Research indicates debate between HD-DVD and Blu-ray Discs keep consumers indecisive for now
New research from PriceGrabber.com, a part of Experian, indicates that consumers are willing to continue using traditional DVD and VHS players until either Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD take a clear lead in the market. PriceGrabber.com explores next generation DVD player trends through its latest Consumer Behavior Report, with results based on a survey of 2,185 online shoppers conducted in mid January.
HD-DVD vs. Blu-ray
Since Warner Brothers recently withdrew their support for Toshiba’s HD-DVD format, debate has intensified as to whether Blu-ray or HD-DVD will dominate the market. Survey results reveal that of those who anticipate purchasing a high definition product in the next year, 54 percent prefer a Blu-ray Disc player over an HD-DVD player, a standard DVD player and integrated video game consoles. Meanwhile, 37 percent of men and 42 percent of women surveyed do not anticipate purchasing any high definition product in the near future.
Blu-ray Gains Studio Support, but Consumers Need More Blu-ray’s support from major motion picture studios continues to increase as more studios support Blu-ray over HD-DVD. On PriceGrabber.com, merchants offer 25 percent more titles in Blu-ray Disc format than in HD-DVD. However, consumers show indecisiveness as 63 percent indicate they plan to wait to make a purchasing decision until one format leads the market. Additionally, 56 percent of those surveyed indicated they would purchase a Blu-ray Disc player if they saw significant price drops. Currently, Blu-ray Disc players are nearly twice as expensive as HD-DVD players.
Blu-ray the Green Way
Most consumer electronics are made out of valuable non-renewable resources and consume large amounts of energy due to manufacturing and maintenance. Companies such as BlueRay Technologies have taken a different approach in their production and facilities. The company recently built the world’s first 100 percent eco-friendly Blu-ray production plant. It was built in a “recycled” historical building that features zero-foot-print heating, cooling, energy and materials. Using eco-conscious raw materials, minimizing packaging and energy-saving lighting, BlueRay Technologies has positioned the company as an environmentally-friendly leader in the consumer electronics industry.
Last year, PriceGrabber.com launched ShopGreen, a comprehensive guide to more than 20,000 eco friendly products. This Consumer Behavior Report continues to highlight PriceGrabber.com’s commitment to green shopping by including suggestions from Olivia Zaleski, environmental consultant and blogger for PriceGrabber.com’s BlogGreen, Treehugger.com and Huffington Post.
PriceGrabber.com will continue to track online shopping trends and market shares in the coming months. To view the full Consumer Behavior Report which also includes pricing trends for Blu-ray Disc players and HD-DVD players, rankings of the top products in high definition electronics and more information on industry support high definition electronics, please visit http://mr.pricegrabber.com.
About PriceGrabber.com
PriceGrabber.com, part of Experian Interactive(SM), has established itself as one of the most trusted and effective online comparison shopping services, allowing approximately 26 million consumers each month to search and compare information that enables them to find the right product from the right retailer at the best price. Through continued innovation and a consistent focus on providing the best comparison shopping experience on the Internet, PriceGrabber.com provides savvy shoppers access to millions of unique products and services from thousands of retailers and sellers in 23 product channels. The company also powers comparison shopping functionality for a network of leading Internet sites, including MSN Shopping, AOL Shopping, About.com, iVillage Comcast and CNET. The company offers comparison shopping in English (at http://www.pricegrabber.com), Spanish (at http://www.preciomania.com) and Portuguese (at http://www.precomania.com) as well as international sites in Canada and the United Kingdom.
PriceGrabber.com is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. PriceGrabber is a registered trademark, and PriceGrabber.com and BottomLinePrice are trademarks of PriceGrabber.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About Experian
Experian is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions. Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organizations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage. For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organizations from financial services, retail and catalog, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.
Experian Group Limited is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. It has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Nottingham, UK. Experian employs approximately 15,500 people in 36 countries worldwide, supporting clients in more than 65 countries. Annual sales are in excess of $3.8 billion.
For more information, visit the Group’s Web site on http://www.experiangroup.com.
Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
