AfterDawn: News

Sony's Glasgow speaks out about Blu-ray, IPTV

In a recent interview with TWICE, Sony Electronics president Stan Glasgow spoke out about his thoughts and the company's views on Blu-ray and IPTV and he had some interesting observations.

Last week, Sony CEO Howard Stringer announced that the new blockbuster movie "Hancock" would be streamed in HD to owners of Sony Bravia HDTVs, through the "Bravia Internet Video Link", days before it hits DVD and Blu-ray. This new "experiment" is exactly what Sony sees itself being in the IPTV business. "The fact that Sony has its own picture company and has for many years, we wanted, No. 1, to take advantage of that. But, more importantly, we wanted to give the consumer more opportunities and options for content."



When asked about Blu-ray's lagging sales since defeating HD DVD in February, Glasgow said, "I feel it is just a perception by the press. Demand for Blu-ray product is far higher than the actual supply ... so we are all gearing up [production]. We can’t keep up with demand."

He also added that consumers should look forward to the 3Q and 4Q of 2008 where there will be major Blu-ray introductions as well as promotions from Sony and other major suppliers.

When asked about home Blu-ray recorders, Glasgow added "I see it in the future ... [but] the cost of the drive has to come down dramatically. You will see products in the not too distant future that will record on Blu-ray in a simplified fashion."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 12 Jul 2008 23:47

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• 14 comments

• Pop_Smith

  Quote:When asked about Blu-ray's lagging sales since defeating HD DVD in February, Glasgow said, "I feel it is just a perception by the press. Demand for Blu-ray product is far higher than the actual supply ... so we are all gearing up [production]. We can’t keep up with demand."Can't keep up with demand? Every time I have gone into Best Buy, Circut City, or any other electronic store that sells Blu discs they are well stocked with every title they carry.
  
  If demand was greater than supply, prices would go up and you wouldn't see 30%+ off the retail price at Amazon.com or other sites.
  
  Prices seem to be falling at retailers a bit as well, if demand well outpaced supply like Glasgow thinks than, again, prices wouldn't be falling, they would level out or rise.
  
  Peace

  13.7.2008 00:38 #1

• iluvendo

  Quote:Can't keep up with demand? Every time I have gone into Best Buy, Circut City, or any other electronic store that sells Blu discs they are well stocked with every title they carry.
  
  If demand was greater than supply, prices would go up and you wouldn't see 30%+ off the retail price at Amazon.com or other sites.
  
  Prices seem to be falling at retailers a bit as well, if demand well outpaced supply like Glasgow thinks than, again, prices wouldn't be falling, they would level out or rise.
  Very astute observation !
  

  If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck!
  "The flimsier the product,the higher the price"
  Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition

  13.7.2008 01:06 #2

• defgod

  Just an observation. But I believe (being the electronics president) he meant the hardware supply isn't meeting demand.

  13.7.2008 01:40 #3

• iluvendo

  Originally posted by defgod: Just an observation. But I believe (being the electronics president) he meant the hardware supply isn't meeting demand.
  But last I looked, there was no shortage of BD electronics.
  

  If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck!
  "The flimsier the product,the higher the price"
  Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition

  13.7.2008 03:14 #4

• fgamer

  I'm at Wal-mart and we still have Blu-ray players sitting on the shelves. In fact it's the same ones that's been there a few weeks now.

  13.7.2008 03:16 #5

• iluvendo

  Originally posted by fgamer: I'm at Wal-mart and we still have Blu-ray players sitting on the shelves. In fact it's the same ones that's been there a few weeks now.
  See, no shortage of hardware.
  

  If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck!
  "The flimsier the product,the higher the price"
  Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition

  13.7.2008 04:31 #6

• 7thsinger

  No...no shortage of hardware, no shortage of titles. Just still too expensive for many people to want to buy.

  13.7.2008 08:14 #7

• varnull

  Shortage of consumers cash... what a surprise considering the global recession.
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work. Get off my beach before I burn down your village!

  13.7.2008 08:36 #8

• Stu_dent

  lol at some of the comments above, there are other countries other than america you know.
  
  I think alot of the "shortages" in supply refer to the asian market.
  
  @ Pop smith, so by using your basic theory of economics for example has the Wii's price sky rocketted because the demand couldnt keep up with supply? No i dont think it did (correct me if im wrong).
  
  Plus prices of for example technological goods WILL always fall in order to get to a mass market price point, and becuase manufacturing costs become lower and all sorts of other reasons. Prices dont always fall when a product isnt doing well.
  
  @ Varnull So true mate lol.

  13.7.2008 11:47 #9

• varnull

  Supply shortage can seriously push inflation. In December I was selling the Wii at £325, peaking in the week of xmas at £380. I was having to pay more than retail for them to start with due to the shortages in supply..
  
  There may be a shortage of BR players in some parts of Asia, but that's more likely to be down to distributors and retailers who can't see any significant demand for them. My few Malaysian friends report the same situation as most of the West.. the retailers who do stock them have them gathering dust on the shelves because of the price and the need for a pricey HD tv to see any benefit. Maybe if the global economy has an upturn they will start to move, but as it stands now, and with the economic forcasts remaining grim then I don't see it happening any time soon.
  
  Again some sony exec looks to lay the blame anywhere else apart from where it really lies.. Next he will be accusing piracy of killing sales no doubt.
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work. Get off my beach before I burn down your village!

  13.7.2008 12:35 #10

• Pop_Smith

  Originally posted by Stu_dent: @ Pop smith, so by using your basic theory of economics for example has the Wii's price sky rocketted because the demand couldnt keep up with supply? No i dont think it did (correct me if im wrong).
  
  Plus prices of for example technological goods WILL always fall in order to get to a mass market price point, and becuase manufacturing costs become lower and all sorts of other reasons. Prices dont always fall when a product isnt doing well. While it maybe true that the retail price of the Wii didn't go up, it went up a ton in the aftermarket.
  
  Maybe Nintendo has told retailers that they cannot sell the Wii for more than $249 MRP?
  
  Back on topic, as others have stated he isn't talking about hardware either. Every store I mentioned above has plenty of players in stock as well.
  
  Peace

  13.7.2008 14:59 #11

• DXR88

  you know whats funny, they want to put a thresh hold on your internet and now there talking IPTV, whats next a tv that cooks tv dinners.
  
  if execs of big company's get any dumber, big john that grows strawberry, and didn't graduate third might have some competition on his hands.

  13.7.2008 17:58 #12

• 1bonehead

  Originally posted by Pop_Smith: Originally posted by Stu_dent: @ Pop smith, so by using your basic theory of economics for example has the Wii's price sky rocketted because the demand couldnt keep up with supply? No i dont think it did (correct me if im wrong).
  
  Plus prices of for example technological goods WILL always fall in order to get to a mass market price point, and becuase manufacturing costs become lower and all sorts of other reasons. Prices dont always fall when a product isnt doing well. While it maybe true that the retail price of the Wii didn't go up, it went up a ton in the aftermarket.
  
  Maybe Nintendo has told retailers that they cannot sell the Wii for more than $249 MRP?
  
  Quote:Back on topic, as others have stated he isn't talking about hardware either. Every store I mentioned above has plenty of players in stock as well.
  Peace
  
  Wow !
  

  The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.
  The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!
  The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

  13.7.2008 20:45 #13

• varnull

  Pop_Smith... they were brand new items.. not after market used. I was having to pay £225 to the main supplier just to get them.
  
  My local asda took all br films and ps3 games off stock due to 0 (zero) sales in 6 months. There isn't a shortage of supply, there is a shortage of money and interest in a high priced format.. In a recession the first things to go are the luxuries.
  
  We have a round of cost push inflation to come before we are out of this situation.. remember the 80's anybody? millions unemployed and hundreds of thousands made destitute and homeless.. it's coming again. Same cause too.. high interest rates to protect the rich in an atmosphere of rising oil prices and falling house prices.
  

  
  
  Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work. Get off my beach before I burn down your village!

  13.7.2008 20:59 #14