The French are known to love their movies. French movies are popular not only in France, but also in other French-speaking countries in Europe and Africa. Intense competition among players has resulted in a drastic reduction in the cost of high-definition DVD players. DVDs as such are already available at relatively cheap prices. With more and more people choosing to watch movies from the comfort of their homes, sales of high-definition DVD players have skyrocketed. Home theater technology arrived in France at about the same time as the rest of the world. The French embraced the new technology with open arms. Now, there should rarely be a home in France without at least a basic home theater system.

As many high-definition DVD players hit the market in France, sales are expected to increase further. This is in stark contrast to returns in other retail segments in France in recent times. Slow growth in other segments has been attributed to the strength of the euro and declining demand for other products. This in itself shows the French love for movies and now high definition DVD players.

The demand for DVD players has been increasing not only in France, but also in other parts of Europe. The European markets are estimated to generate around $10 billion in revenue for the DVD industry, according to research analysts. The market is predicted to grow to around $17 billion by the end of 2009.

One factor driving sales of high-definition DVD players in France is the flooding of the market by Chinese manufacturers. France has seen a deluge of Chinese goods, from digital cameras to computers to home theater systems, you name it, and every conceivable Chinese electronic item is available in France. Even leading brand DVD players like Sony, Philips or JVC are made in China, apart from the number of other smaller players. It is reported that China exports around five million units of DVD players to France every year.

Sales of DVD players make up about 15% of sales of consumer electronics in France. Around ten million DVD players are sold in France every year, a significant percentage of which are high-definition models. Most of the sales are captured by world-renowned brands, while a portion of the sales goes to ‘no-name appliances’.

One nice thing about France is that you can buy your high definition DVD player or any type of DVD player, literally anywhere. Yes, you can buy them in hypermarkets, department stores, supermarkets, electronics stores, you name it and they have it full, with hundreds of models on display.

There are big box specialty stores like Boulanger, Darty and FNAC who are leading names when it comes to DVD players. These specialists represent about 40% of the total sales of DVD players in France. Hypermarkets, supermarkets and department stores swallow the rest of the percentage.

While it is true that Chinese-made DVD players have made their mark in France, it is known that the French also prefer Japanese brands when it comes to high-end models of HD DVD players. These high-end models usually cost around 1,500 euros.

Leading brands of high definition DVD players in France include Schneider, Samsung, Thompson, Sony and Philips. One can get a read-only player for an average price of about 80 euros. One can get quality HD DVD players for a price range of around $300 or more. You can also find French brands like Crealy doing a brisk business on high definition DVD players.

Most of the leading brands offer excellent after-sales service and this is one of the reasons for the spectacular growth of HD DVD players in France. Quality control standards are very high these days and it is common to find that major players give a warranty on their high definition DVD players, which could be up to five years. France follows 230 volt electricity standards like most other parts of Europe and therefore it’s always best to check the specifications of your DVD player before plugging it in.

Even low-end HD DVD players are finding buyers, because generally even these models are built with good components, and people buy these products with little expectation of after-sales support.

Another habit with the French is that many of them use their computers to watch DVDs. Another related product, which is experiencing a boom on the French market, is the DVD recorder. They are being bought left and right by the French. They are expected to gradually replace read-only players, over a period of time.

In fact, most of the home theater systems available in France are already equipped with recorders and their market is growing. Recordable DVD players are available for between $200 and $500, depending on whether they come with a hard drive or not.

One can easily find stores with a wide variety of high definition DVD players. In France. In fact, you can find a whole range of DVD players, recorders and combo drives. However, some terminology may differ, for example models that record from tape are known as ‘DVD/VCRs’ in France. Stores like FNAC and Virgin mega stock the latest collections in large numbers.

Although recordable DVD players are becoming increasingly popular, France has strict rules to prevent people from making backup copies of their discs. As with high-definition DVD players, you can find DVDs almost anywhere in France. However, there is a problem with French videos and DVDs. Sometimes they don’t play in other countries, thanks to the video format. French uses the SECAM format, compared to North American countries using NTSC and Australia using PAL. France is in zone 2, as far as DVD regional coding is concerned. A codeless DVD player could play it in other countries.

If you are a tourist looking for DVDs in France, you can watch the videos that say ‘Do you have this movie in NTSC?’ They could play in your country. The French are passionate about their films. Surely you have heard of the French directors of the new wave, if you were a fervent student of world cinema. French film studios like the Gaumont film studios are famous all over the world. Almost everyone must have heard of the ‘Cannes Film Festival’, yet another testimonial to the refined taste of the French when it comes to cinema. Therefore, DVDs are a popular choice for the French, as they give them the best movie-watching experience at home.

Most Hollywood DVD releases take place simultaneously with other countries or a week or two after the film’s US release. The release again depends on several factors like the studio and who has the rights to the DVD. The French appreciate both their films and foreign ones. DVDs of movies from other languages ​​like English are selling like hot cakes in France, mostly with French subtitles. These DVDs would bear the inscription VO that would denote ‘original version’. The dubbed versions bear the inscription VF ‘version Françoise’.