‘Blu-ray more than five years left’

A Sony VP, Rick Clancy, reacted on a statement from Samsung’s UK director that the Blu-ray format still has only five years left. According to Clancy this is incorrect, or even better "he couldn’t be further from the truth".

Clancy starts off with describing his understanding that both Microsoft and Toshiba aren’t immediate adopters, although he expects future market developments will persuade them. Samsung, who’s currently the second-largest seller of Blu-ray players, seems to believe this won’t happen since their UK director forecasts the blue adventure to end by 2012.

So, why are they wrong? As always the Sony camp’s first argument is console-related. "There are millions of BD-based PlayStation 3 videogame consoles in consumers’ homes around the world and this number is growing fast as the device is introduced to new global markets and to new consumers every day."

The true understanding of the console’s power is given as the main reason why Clancy expects constant growth, even for a decade to come. Developers will realize the "true power" of the console in new games to create and Blu-ray will "blend with new virtual networks like PSN and Home," Clancy explains.

Especially the latter is important for Clancy since he believes that the Blu-ray format will not only coexist with the networked era, but will actually enhance it for the years to come.

Movie-wise Clancy thinks Hollywood has only scratched the surface and as witnessed with DVD he forecasts thousands of high-def titles to be available at Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Blockbuster stores.

According to many Blu-ray’s main burden is the high priced HDTV. You need to spend thousands of bucks to at least enjoy your costing Blu-ray player. Clancy agrees on this, but notices a transition to digital TV and therefore believes many want to enjoy this in HD. After buying the TV he says people don’t mind to spend hundreds on a Blu-ray player.

Eventually all these factors will play a massive role in Blu-ray’s adoption. Clancy seems to be more than sure that the format will find its way. He even reacts on statements that sales are low…

"Oh, and for those expressing doubts about BD player sales, while we’d always like more, at Sony Electronics here in the U.S. we are doing quite well in this regard.  And I encourage you to check out the latest models featuring BD Live, which are just the start of the format’s embrace of networked connectivity and benefits for consumers."