Blu-ray Sales Soar

Sales of Blu-ray Disc players have had their big breakthrough, according to a study released this week by NPD Group. The survey found that sales of Blu-ray players in the first quarter jumped to 400,000 units, a jump of 72 percent over the same period the year before.

Sales in terms of dollars also rose, albeit only 14 percent, to $107.2 million, as prices of the players have dropped. And the technology has reached 90 percent awareness.

"The rising penetration of high-definition televisions and lower Blu-ray player prices are broadening the format’s market opportunity," Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis at NPD, said as part of the announcement. "Even as options expand for accessing movies digitally, Blu-ray is carrying forward the widespread appeal of DVD into the high-definition marketplace."