The upcoming holiday selling season will be all about high-definition TVs, Blu-ray Disc players and video game systems. This probably isn’t news to everybody because the same was true last season, more or less. What you didn’t know are some interesting tidbits about how these industries are performing in the marketplace today. In some instances, what’s coming down the pike might be surprising.

Here are some brief research points that could shed some light on what’s to come:

*Because of the digital TV transition on June 12, many consumers made new TV purchases. According to research firm Retrevo Pulse, more and more households are adding high-def TVs to multiple rooms. In addition, HDTV purchases are soaring because of the availability of HD programming: terrestrial broadcasts, cable, satellite and Internet TV.

*The research company In-Stat says that digital media adaptors, pay TV set-top boxes, Blu-ray players/recorders, HDTVs, and media-center PCs are delivering Web video into households. However, all this will be overshadowed by the popularity of video game consoles. In-Stat says that consoles are currently “the most utilized devices for bringing Web video to the TV and will remain so through 2013. By 2013, over 10.7 million consoles will be used as Web-to-TV mediation devices in the U.S.”

*In-Stat also said that more than 66 million people are “using the Internet while camped out on their sofas watching TV.” Nowadays, TV has become more interactive for exactly this reason: Broadcasters know that households’ PCs aren’t too far away from their TVs. Many TV shows are asking viewers to vote online, register for contests, visit a program’s Web site for more information, and more. These networks know that they can access viewers on TVs and PCs, simultaneously. As time goes on, this becomes more the norm rather than the trend.

*Starting November 1, the new Energy Star TV specification for TVs takes effect. TVs with the compliant Energy Star specifications will be available for the holiday shopping season. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, the new specifications account for both active and standby power consumption across all types of TVs.

*According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if all TVs purchased by consumers in 2009 met the new Energy Star standards, the savings in greenhouse gas emissions would be equal to removing 1 million cars from the road. Also according to the EPA, TVs that earn the Energy Star label under the new requirements will be up to 30 percent more efficient than non-qualified models, making it easier for consumers to select an efficient model based upon the government-backed criteria. The EPA projects that approximately one quarter of the TVs currently entering the market will meet the stricter specification for efficiency. A list of models qualified under the new Energy Star TV specification can be found online at www.energystar.gov.

*According to research firm The NPD Group, Blu-ray Disc video technology is moving further into the mainstream. First quarter sales of stand-alone Blu-ray players in the U.S. grew to more than 400,000 units, an increase of 72 percent over the same period last year.

*A recent PC World article said that Panasonic recently unveiled a prototype 50-inch TV and companion glasses that together give the viewer the illusion of three dimensions. Expect more 3D products from Panasonic – and other manufacturers – this year and in 2010.

*Want to know what HD programming (by service provider) is available in your zip code? Visit www.whereisHD.com and enter your zip code to find out.

Beyond conventional retail, flat panel TVs, game consoles and computers have been favorites in the rent to own industry – especially among ColorTyme customers. Multi-tasking and multi-use hasn’t been overlooked either in this market. In some cases, TVs can double as educational devices and represent the central entertainment resource for many families.

Sources: Media Business Corp., Retrevo Pulse, PC World, In-Stat, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The NPD Group, and the Consumer Electronics Association