According to London-based analysts FutureSource, the predicted demise of the high definition DVD format Blu-ray has been exaggerated.

Only recently here on HDTVorg we reported that despite emerging as the dominant High Definition DVD format, Blu-ray was coming under pressure as the preferred medium for watching movies.

Two trends have emerged which place the success of Blu-ray in doubt. Firstly, many of us appreciate the quality of Blu-ray but are quite happy to hang on to our collection of DVD's and Secondly, a growing number of manufacturers have long appreciated the potential for 'upscaling' technology as an intermediate solution - a solution which many consumers have adopted.

However, in a new report, FutureSource predicts that 1.8million BD players will ship into the UK and Europe by the close of 2009, a figure that does not include Sony's PS3 games console which has a built-in Blu-ray drive. They beleive that Blu-ray will benefit from the change in consumer spending habits as a result of the recent credit crunch; that they will opt to spend more of their disposable income on home entertainment.

Sarah Carroll, FutureSource director stated : "In times of economic hardship, we’ve seen consumer electronics and in-home entertainment weather the storm; indeed, expenditure in these segments can even increase. Sales of VCRs jumped by 440 per cent during the Eighties recession".

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