According to research from The Diffusion Group, though 80 percent of game console households own a console capable of some form of DVD playback or online download, only 13 percent have used their game console for movie viewing purposes (some eight million U.S. households).
Among this small segment, the vast majority (74 percent) use only DVD for movie viewing, while approximately one-fourth have also ventured online to purchase or rent a digital movie download.
"Today's next-generation games consoles such as the Xbox 360 or Sony PS3 are true digital multimedia powerhouses," said Dale Gilliam III, director of primary research and author of the report. "Yet very few of these devices are connected to the Internet and, even though these same platforms may feature a high-definition DVD playback system, very few consumers are using them for non-gaming media applications."
Other key findings of TDG's new report include the following:
- Approximately half of U.S. broadband households have at least one game console (GC) in the home with 15 percent having two or more game consoles.
- Among broadband households that own a game console, 52 percent have a console in their family or living room, compared to 24 percent with a GC in the second bedroom, and 21 percent with a GC in the den or game room.
- Though the majority (80 percent) own a console capable of playing DVDs, only 30 percent believed that they owned a console that it actually enabled DVD playback -- a fact that demonstrates how poorly many consumers understand the capabilities, and a major barrier to using these platforms for non-gaming media consumption.
- Among those that own a game console connected to the Internet, 42 percent have used their game console to watch an Internet-based movie on their TV.
Among this small segment, the vast majority (74 percent) use only DVD for movie viewing, while approximately one-fourth have also ventured online to purchase or rent a digital movie download.
"Today's next-generation games consoles such as the Xbox 360 or Sony PS3 are true digital multimedia powerhouses," said Dale Gilliam III, director of primary research and author of the report. "Yet very few of these devices are connected to the Internet and, even though these same platforms may feature a high-definition DVD playback system, very few consumers are using them for non-gaming media applications."
Other key findings of TDG's new report include the following:
- Approximately half of U.S. broadband households have at least one game console (GC) in the home with 15 percent having two or more game consoles.
- Among broadband households that own a game console, 52 percent have a console in their family or living room, compared to 24 percent with a GC in the second bedroom, and 21 percent with a GC in the den or game room.
- Though the majority (80 percent) own a console capable of playing DVDs, only 30 percent believed that they owned a console that it actually enabled DVD playback -- a fact that demonstrates how poorly many consumers understand the capabilities, and a major barrier to using these platforms for non-gaming media consumption.
- Among those that own a game console connected to the Internet, 42 percent have used their game console to watch an Internet-based movie on their TV.