What? A new Blu-ray player for $99.99?
The impossible has happened: A new Blu-ray player for under $100.
(Credit: Meijer)Well now it's getting interesting. Meijer has a Curtis Mathes CMMBX130 Blu-ray player for just $99.99. It's new, not a refurb, and you can use coupon code DOTMJR09 to get free shipping.
This arrives hot on the heels of Tuesday's Insignia player for $129.99 and Wednesday's refurbished Magnavox for $99.99. (Yes, it's Unofficial Blu-ray Week here at the Cheapskate!)
OK, first up: Meijer? It's a Walmart-like store that's very well-known to those of us who live in the Midwest. No worries there.
Next: Curtis Mathes? Wasn't he an R&B singer from the '70s? Obviously this is no Sony or Samsung, but just because you don't recognize the brand doesn't mean the player is bad. The handful of reviews on Meijer's site average 4.5 stars out of 5.
And check it out: In addition to the usual stuff--1080p output and upconversion, Dolby Digital audio, etc. (get complete specs at Blu-ray.com)--the player comes with an HDMI cable! Granted, that's only saving you about $3, but it also saves you the hassle of having to buy a cable separately.
Unlike most budget Blu-ray players, the CMMBX130 sports an Ethernet port. Alas, firmware updates apparently require the old download-an-image-file-and-burn-it-to-CD method.
So it's official: You can now buy a new Blu-ray player for under $100. Interestingly, Meijer's product page says this price is valid until July 31 (though I doubt the free-shipping coupon is), so this is not a one-day-only special or anything.
What do you think? Are you waiting for Blu-ray movie prices to drop before you pull the trigger on a player? Or do you just rent them from Blockbuster/Netflix? Share your thoughts on this deal in the comments!
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
Huh? Doesn't anyone remember or hasn't anyone ever owned a Curtis Mathes TV? Has it been that long ago that they were famous for their quality TV's?
LOL.. dang you make me feel old; especially if you really don't know that brand. It was a big brand of console style TVs back in the 70-80's. If memory serves, they faded just before broadcast stereo.
I'm tempted on the player. Might be perfect for the bedroom. Don't mind a disc every now and then if it starts having issues with new DVDs. I'm just a bit brand leary. Mind you, Toshiba has been a big pain in my butt and they are a name brand.
I did, however, recently bought a Samsung BD-P1600 with the Netflix and Pandora Streaming. One of the best investments I had ever made besides my PS3. I have totally got my money's worth out of it already since May. I am constantly watching seasons 2-4 of the Office and The History Channel's Dogfights. It's as quick and easy as a push of a button on your remote. Dvds and BluRay Movies look great! PERFECTION, especially if you have a Samsung LCD TV = One remote. ; )
Surely you can use your journalistic skills to find somewhere more professional and official to list the specs on this player, no?
- by deepen05 July 1, 2009 6:22 PM PDT
- yea people who look at brands are just stupid. what always matters are the specs. as long as it has HDMI and profile 2.0 and blu-ray player is good. hey for me as long as it plays my blu-rays im fine.
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(12 Comments)but ill pass on this, i already bought the sony bdp-s350 back in november for 179 at Kmart, so im good for now.