AfterDawn: News

HD DVD ahead in Europe for now

According to Industry sources, the HD DVD format is retaining a lead in the European market next-generation blue-laser optical disc drives/players/recorders. Toshiba's HD-E1 HD DVD player, accounted for an 85% market share in January, leaving Sony and Samsung Electronics equipment for Blu-ray Disc trailing behind with 15% of the European market.

Before the launch of the HD-E1, Toshiba's European market share for blue-laser products in 2006 was about 58%. HD DVD's lead in Europe may not last for much longer however, with the March 23rd launch of the Blu-ray-equipped PlayStation 3 (PS3) console approaching quickly.



Rising demand for HDTV equipment will boost consumer interest in blue laser HD formats. As more homes turn to HD, the format that can provide the best prices for both hardware and HD content should capture the growing market.

Source:
DigiTimes

Written by: James Delahunty @ 8 Mar 2007 16:36

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• 3 comments

• rihgt682

  good new for HD-DVD. i'm sure in next month it'll be Blu-ray cause of ps3.

  8.3.2007 21:50 #1

• richks

  So, lets get this straight: Europeans (who generally get shafted with late, expensive and inferior releases compared to the US) prefer a format that has no region coding over one which does.
  
  Who'da thunk it?

  9.3.2007 00:17 #2

• pigfister

  simple solution! AnyDVD (www.slysoft.com) backup media then no region code + you less expensive disc than a blur-ray is stored in pristine condition! and HD-DVD only has aacs and not bundled with bd+ as well like the Blu-ray will be. if you are talking about region codes on the ps3 only games are not coded now Blu-ray discs are wiki! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_ray#Region_codes

  9.3.2007 01:37 #3