Blu-ray Today: An analyst predicts 2009 will finally be its year

The most recent quarterly analysis from Futuresource Consulting estimates that 12 million non-PlayStation 3 Blu-ray players will ship this year, showing the substantial increase in support for the format which from July 2006 to January 2009 shipped only 10.7 million players, according to DisplaySearch.

Futuresource is putting a lot of stock in this year's holiday season, expecting shipments to exceed six million units in the fourth quarter alone.

"In the last quarter of 2008, average retail prices for standalone Blu-ray players fell by 15% in most major markets, and we're going to see them fall by another 25% during the course of this year," said Futuresource Research Consultant Jack Wetherill. "Add to that the raft of movie titles being issued on Blu-ray -- over 1,100 at the end of last year, on track to more than double this year -- coupled with the increase in promotional activity and the continued benefit of growing PS3 ownership, and we'll see Blu-ray continue to gather momentum in all major markets across the globe."

Adams Media Research shared in the Blu-ray optimism this week, noting that 2009's first quarter Blu-ray hardware sales growth was double that of last year, performing well despite persistent economic trauma.