Blu-ray market share on the decline?

Blu-ray players may have fallen below the US$200 mark, but according to new numbers from Nielsen VideoScan, Blu-ray's market share in the video disc market has slumped in the past week. While Nielsen releases its numbers on a week-by-week basis, and a one-week decline isn't a huge deal, this could indicate a rough holiday season for Sony's hi-def format.

If you've been keeping up with us, you already know that this comes as no surprise. Except for home theater enthusiasts, most buyers are fine with the video quality (and affordability) of DVD. Factor in the floundering economy, the high cost to adopt the technology, and the number of alternatives to view video content via rental models, video-on-demand, and the Internet, and the numbers make sense.

Nielsen VideoScan's numbers show a drop to an 8 percent of the overall market--DVDs making up the other 92 percent of the market share.

Blockbuster's CFO, Thomas Casey, seems to agree with the adoption rate, saying his company "doesn't think [Blu-ray] is going to be nearly like DVD replacing VHS, and in this economy people will be slow to change out their libraries," according to an article in Home Media Magazine via TVPredictions.com

Yes, sometimes good deals can be had, including some US$10 bargain discs, and at least one source predicts US$10 Blu-ray titles this holiday season, but we doubt they'll be a big factor in spurring people to go Blu. What would really help is a Blu-ray player below US$100, and we don't see that happening this year.

What do you think? While Blu-ray will probably never be adopted this year, is there still a future for it? Or is owning physical discs now passé--given rental services like Netflix or video downloads via devices like the Xbox 360, Apple TV, Vudu or Netflix Player by Roku--even if BD disc and player prices drop?

Via CNET Crave

What discs should I buy for my DVD recorder?--Ask the Editors

Q: I have a Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK recorder that I recently purchased. This is all new to me. I would like to know what disc type I should buy for recording VCR tapes onto a DVD disc. Also, is there a different between +r and -r?--Lisa, via email.

A: Those are excellent questions. Yes, it can be a confusing (and probably a frustrating) shopping experience to browse your local electronics store and decide between all the disc spindles labeled with + and - signs. Then you notice DVD+RW, DVD-RW, dual-layer, and the elusive DVD-RAM discs that are gathering dust on the shelf but are more expensive than the rest. How does one decide which format to choose without pulling out one's hair?

The short answer: Look for DVD+R--the most compatible, cheapest option out there. Using your Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK recorder, you will be able to record up to 4 hours of decent-looking video on LP mode. Since most VHS tapes hold around 2 hours of video, you should be fine. But if you require more disc space and rewritable capabilities, continue reading.
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Logitech goes wireless with Wii racing wheel

Earlier this summer, Logitech debuted the Driving Force Wireless steering wheel for the PlayStation 3. It was essentially a streamlined, downsized version of the Logitech Driving Force GT, adding wireless connectivity to the console and dropping the gearshift--and making the whole rig a lot more living-room-friendly for casual gamers.

Now the company is applying that same basic design to the Wii. Except for the Nintendo-friendly color scheme, control setup, and built-in brake and gas controls, the Logitech Speed Force Wireless is a near doppelganger of the PS3 version: It utilizes the same sort of contoured, expandable lap (rest rather than a table clamp), and it's completely wireless except for the power cord. Look for the Speed Force Wireless to hit stores soon for US$100.

Via Crave CNET

Sanyo's Nintendo-licensed Wiimote charger is Japan-only--for now

Finally, you can save on purchasing all those AA batteries weekly for your Wii remote. Nintendo has teamed with Sanyo in Japan to come up with a custom battery back based on its eneloop technology--a low self-discharge NiMH battery that charges on contact.

This is also the first Nintendo-licensed recharger. The Contactless Charger Set for Wii Remote Control (as the product is called) uses an electromagnetic induction system to charge the batteries, even through the silicon jackets that are now available for the remote. Battery life on a single charge is about six hours. And it takes around 220 minutes to fully charge--not bad for an overnight session, considering the base stations can be daisy-chained together to subsequently (not simultaneously) charge up to four remotes from one AC adapter.
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Some salespeople still think flat-panel LCDs beat plasmas?

In a time when CNET's two top-rated HDTVs of the year are Panasonic's TH-50PZ800U and Pioneer's PDP-5020FD (right), we have to wonder why a salesperson would recommend flat-panel LCD HDTVs at the rate that J.D. Power and Associates claims in a recent report.

The report, which surveyed more than 2,000 shoppers on their experience in big-box electronic retailers, a specialty television retailer, a mass merchant, and a warehouse store, found that retail salespeople recommended LCDs over plasmas at a three-to-one rate.

Sure, plasmas have a long list of supposed failings: They're allegedly bulky and power-hungry, and have image burn-in issues and leaks, and a short lifespan. However, most of these problems--image burn-in being the most common with early plasma sets--have been resolved on modern plasma displays.

According to the report, however, "37 percent of salespersons warned their customers that images may be permanently burned onto the screen of plasma TVs". The lifespan argument doesn't hold up either, as both LCD and plasma lifespan claims are basically the same now at 60,000 hours each. And, with LCDs still costing more at equivalent screen sizes, it's certainly convenient for retailers to promote the LCD technology over its less expensive rival.
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