(28 July 2007 3:40 pm)

MUMBAI: As consumers continue to embrace more high-definition (HD) products and services, next-generation DVD players are poised to experience significant growth over the next five years, says a new report from Parks Associates titled 'Next Generation DVD Players: Will History Repeat?'

The new report estimates that, with set-top box models and game consoles combined, more than 32 million Blu-ray and HD DVD players will be sold in US by 2011, an 85 per cent increase from the 4.9 million units estimated to be sold in 2007.

Parks Associates research analyst Chris Roden says, "Purchasing or renting DVDs will continue to be a dominant way for consumers to view content. What has yet to be determined is which format will become the standard, HD DVD or Blu-ray."

According to the report, consumer confusion is still prevalent with less than 10 pwer cent of U.S. consumers stating that they are familiar with the HD DVD or Blu-ray formats. However advantages in retail, Hollywood support and the PS3 push Blu-ray ahead of HD DVD.