Even though Blu-ray has the global lead, largely due to the sales of the PS3, they have managed to do everything possible to blow the lead. First, there is the drastic price cut from Toshiba dropping their machines to cost at $399. Sony counters with an upcoming player at $499. Not very competitive.
Then there is the issue of titles, which of course, is the reason to get the player in the first place. Summer is a hot time for releases but Blu-ray studios have slowed to a trickle. The best titles are dual format and studios such as Sony, MGM, Disney and Fox are holding back the quality films. Warner delayed release of Batman Begins and the Matrix trilogy due to production problems and Fox and MGM won't release anything due to the fact that the copy protection was hacked.
Anyone looking to buy at this time will certainly be looking hard at a dual format machine and that will not be good for Sony in the long run. Can you say "Beta"?
Of course, HD of some type will eventually be the status quo. But with progress like this it will be a while before the average consumer feels safe with a purchase and the longer regular DVDs are still made, the less likely HD hardware will actually be used for HD films on any but the best, and there are very few that actually merit HD prices.
