미국 한 시장조사기관에서 지난달 30일 발표한 보도자료 전문입니다.
- http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_080430.html

주요 내용인 즉, HD-DVD 시장 철수 이후에도 블루레이(http://www.blu-ray.com) 플레이어 판매량이 거의 늘지 않았다는 지적입니다. 여러 가지 분석이 있겠지만, 대부분의 해외 사이트 평가는 ‘구입하기에는 아직 비싸다’는 지적이 많습니다.

아래 보도자료에는 이런 식의 표현이 있네요

“they weren't investing in a new next-generation player because their old DVD player worked well and next-generation players were too expensive.”

말 그대로 기존 DVD에 만족한다는 것이죠. 자, 이제는 시간이 약이 되겠죠? 늘 그랬지만, 광 드라이브의 가격 하락 속도는 픽업에 달려 있고, 픽업은 필연적으로 싸지게 마련입니다. 미디어야 이미 싸지기 시작했지 말입니다. 또한 HDD와의 가격 비교에서도 블루레이는 썩 뛰어나진 않습니다. 이럴 때 대만 쪽에서 저가 드라이브로 한 건 터뜨려 주면 좋은데 말이죠.

PC 드라이브 기준이라면 심리적으로 한 20~25만 원선이 심리적인 마지노선이 아닌가 싶습니다.

아래는 보도자료 전문입니다.

Standalone Blu-ray Players Don't Gain Much From Demise of HD DVD, According to The NPD Group

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, APRIL 30, 2008 – The end of HD DVD players didn't signal the beginning of consumers making a commitment to Blu-ray standalone players, according to data from leading market research company The NPD Group.

Standalone Blu-ray player unit sales dropped 40 percent from January to February in the U.S. and only saw a 2 percent increase from February to March, according to NPD's Retail Tracking Service. HD DVD player unit sales dropped 13 percent from January to February, but as production stopped and inventories dried up, sales spiraled down 65 percent from February to March.

"That standalone Blu-ray players haven't picked up significantly from HD DVD's loss shows that few consumers were dissuaded primarily by the 'format war'," said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis, NPD. "When we surveyed consumers late last year, an overwhelming number of them said they weren't investing in a new next-generation player because their old DVD player worked well and next-generation players were too expensive. It's clear from retail sales that those consumer sentiments are still holding true."

One option consumers are embracing to enhance their DVD viewing experience is purchasing up-converting DVD players. According to NPD's Retail Tracking Service, unit sales of up-converting players were up over 5 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 2007, while sales of DVD players without an up-converting feature declined 39 percent.

"Consumers continue to see a gap between Blu-ray's premium video quality and features and its premium price," said Rubin. "As content availability improves, this holiday season will be the best opportunity to date for retailers and manufacturers to promote Blu-ray adoption."

<참고> 위 사진은 4월 말 삼성의 블루레이 전략 발표때 공개된 4세대 신제품입니다.