Analysts: HD DVD’s absence will boost Sony and HD sales
Now that Toshiba has left the HD DVD format, it’s time once more for analysts to give their thoughts on the matter. This new (and maybe final) development in the format war is making its first waves in the ongoing console war.
Screen Digest analysts Ed Barton and Richard Cooper both agree that with the HD DVD format out of the way, consumers now have a clear path towards the PS3; “video consumers are likely to purchase the PS3 as the most cost effective, future proof Blu-ray player”:
If anything Microsoft will appreciate more Xbox 360 owners being driven to the Live Video Store as it makes more margin on HD content supply from XBL than via the HD DVD platform.
Michael Pachter, an analyst for Wedbush Morgan, also believes that this is a huge advantage for Sony. Not only does he believe that the PS3 will get a boost in sales, he also remarks that retailers will push Blu-ray products and HD monitors come the holidays.
Pachter then gives his views on the future of Microsoft, who banked largely on the HD DVD format. Microsoft has the option to go Blu-ray but won’t be taking that road. Instead, he believes that Microsoft will introduce price cuts to compete with the PS3.
