Memorex announces budget Blu-ray player for $270

The main knock against Blu-ray is that it's still too expensive, but lately we've seen a steady flow of basic, lower-priced players. Memorex is right in line with this trend with the recent of announcement of the MVBD-2510 Blu-ray player, which will have a relatively low list price of $270. Let's take a look at the specs released so far:

Key features of the Memorex MVBD-2510:

• Supports Blu-ray Profile 1.1
• Onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD High Resolution
• Bitstream output for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
• 5.1 multichannel analog output
• Available in November, with a list price of $270

From the spec sheet, the MVBD-2510 seems most comparable to Insignia's NS-BRDVD, which is currently selling at Best Buy for $230. The specs are essentially the same, with the Memorex adding 5.1 multichannel analog output for those with older, non-HDMI receivers. It seems like paying extra for multichannel outputs will only appeal to a niche audience, but we did have issues with the Insignia's Blu-ray image quality, so there is room for Memorex to improve. On the other hand, it may have more competition when its released, as we expect to see the prices of better, name-brand players dropping as the holidays approach.

With Blu-ray players getting closer to the $200 mark, we finally seem to be approaching the point at which it makes sense to go for standalone Blu-ray player over the multitalented PS3. While the PS3 is still a superior playback device--with Profile 2.0 support, excellent image quality, and superfast load times--these relatively inexpensive players mostly do a fine job of playing back Blu-ray movies at half the cost. That being said, with the price of Blu-ray movies still high and most cheap players still lacking Profile 2.0 support, we wouldn't be surprised of consumers continued to wait it out even longer.

[labazzo]

Still a little too high for me. Yes, it should support the latest 2.0 profile. Otherwise it does not make sense to even make the player.

[tcr071]

Since when is "budget" $270? I would still much rather buy a PS3 new or used than any stand alone BD player. That is sad.

[sinicalrec]

While $270 is still expensive we kinda also got to look back at when DVD made it's entry into digital entertainment it was also extremely expensive, for a period of time it was considered a luxury item, now it's a standard after knocking out VHS. The Blu-Ray player still hasn't gotten to mark yet and it'll definitely take awhile but at the same time it's getting there, slowly but in terms of affordability it is getting there. $270 is still much yes but it's a hell of a lot better than the $700-$1000+ range it was awhile back

[daa2]

I bought my first DVD player for $350 which at that time (2001?) was great. Within the year the players were sub $200 with more features. I learned to wait from that experience. I can see the players getting under $200 within a year. Plus the cost of the media has to drop too, no point in having the player if you don't want to spend the money on the movies..

[Lerianis]

This is absolutely ridiculous. What world is Memorex living in where over 200 dollars is 'budget' player? A 'budget' Blu-Ray would be under 50 dollars, like I can get a DVD drive for now.
Let's face it: companies are trying to screw the consumer over by keeping the prices of these drives (at least read-only ones) way too high.

[AlanHub]

Lerianis, i am sorry to say that you are severely misinformed. The cost of manufacturing a Blu Ray player first of all, is not $2.70 (1000% price inflation), and secondly, these various conglomerators spent billions of dollars into R&D these players, so it takes at least a year or so before the licensing price can be decreased. And if companies were making such gross profits so unabashedly then why aren't we all buying their stock?

[viper396]

It's not a DVD player, it's Blue-ray player. Therefore, in comparison to other Blue-Ray players, $200 *is* a budget player. Either way, trying to argue semantics over the word "budget" just get's stupid. Price drops will always be incremental and coincide with the adoption of the technology so don't expect $50 players anytime soon. For now, if you can't afford it, just don't buy it.

[Lerianis]

The fact is that these things cost VERY little for these companies to make. I've gotten info from friends who have hunted down the information: one Blu-Ray player like this costs a grand total of 20 dollars to make overseas. Parts, labor to assemble, everything: 20 dollars.

Why the 1000% price inflation? Answer: Price fixing. The fact is that other segments of the industry come down VERY quickly in price..... why such a long time for disc drives and disc media?

[AlanHub]

Lerianis, i am sorry to say that you are severely misinformed. The cost of manufacturing a Blu Ray player first of all, is not $2.70 (1000% price inflation), and secondly, these various conglomerators spent billions of dollars into R&D these players, so it takes at least a year or so before the licensing price can be decreased. And if companies were making such gross profits so unabashedly then why aren't we all buying their stock?

[ougrad1]

I agree with viper, I think Lerianis needs to understand how tech product life cycle works and reevaluate his expectations....for $50, you need to just stick with your DVDs and not complain, and don't blame the companies for your lack of disposable income.

[NYCgoalie]

Count me in as one of those still waiting for a 2.0 profile player that's less than 200 bucks. Maybe on Black Friday there may be a deal out there. Otherwise, I'm still on the sidelines.

This is the only thing I didn't like about the end of format wars...SONY was not inclined to reduce the price of the Blu-Ray drives once they had no competition to contend with. And look how long it's taken to put out Profile 2.0. Does anyone honestly think it would take this long if HD-DVD was still in the picture??

[steve5200]

I love CNET and read the website almost every day. Having said that, I do get tired of stories like this that lure you in with the word budget in the title. $270 is not exactly a budget price and is not even close to being a cheap buy for the average consumer.

[steve5200]

I love CNET and read the website almost every day. Having said that, I do get tired of stories like this that lure you in with the word budget in the title. $270 is not exactly a budget price and is not even close to being a cheap buy for the average consumer.

[meglawho]

i second the comments by viper and ougrad1 with respect to tech product life cycles. blu-ray is only about 2 years in since its initial launch - hardly fair to compare with a format (dvd) that's been around for over 11 years. in 1997, when i bought my first dvd player, list prices were in the $500 to $700 range (and that's less many features taken for granted in current offerings, i.e. component outs, progressive scan, upconversion, even dts). as with any product, prices will be expensive, and as increased competition resulting from more ce manufacturers and economies of scale kicks in, prices of both hardware and software will drop. ridiculous to demand a less than $100 player. as was the problem with hd dvd, where toshiba was the only hardware manufacturer (don't count re-branded toshiba product), slashing prices too quickly gives less incentive for other ce manufacturers to enter the market. market competition is certainly a healthier course (both for price and more importantly imho, quality) than artificial cost cutting - just look at the sparse features on those cheap, firesale hd-dvd players from the holidays last year. and comments that sony is not inclined to reduce price are inaccurate - as mentioned before, the bda included many (if not most) of the major ce manufacturers, and more are joining blu-ray. this is where competition comes in to drive prices down. if hd dvd were still in the picture, in addition to anxieties, however unfounded, about price, you'd still have consumer confusion over format choice.

[Waam]

I think the word "budget" seems a little misleading, but the prices are trending downwards, which is good. I can see this box selling for half it's price once the 2.0's start coming out in droves.

This Holiday season may not yet be the coming out party that Blu-ray is eventually moving towards, but it would be nice to get a few more early adopters before the blu wave hits next year.

[Lerianis]

Actually, guys...... with the way that tech is going obselete now, even FASTER than when DVD drives first came out...... 2 years is quite a long time and these things should be down to about 50 dollars.
The fact is that these players cost a grand total of 20 dollars to make overseas in China and elsewhere (coming straight from analysis of the parts lists by reputable people on numerous websites)..... so why the 1000% price increase? Only answer I can think of: price fixing and intentional lack of competition in the industry.

This is the EXACT reason why I was bummed that HD-DVD 'failed' (more like, was abandoned by it's friends to a firey grave). Because now, Sony has NO competition in the Blu-Ray and high-gigabyte disc storage field..... so they are keeping prices as high as they can to milk the consumer.

Oh and to make a point clear.... I could afford one of these, but I like a little damn VALUE for my dollar.... Blu-Ray discs and drives aren't ANYWHERE near being a value, and I don't like it, considering that a computer that I was looking at last year with the same parts as another computer today cost nearly 4 TIMES the amount (1500 dollars Vs. 6000 dollars). When prices for other stuff is dropping that fast or FASTER..... I get a little suspicious, to be totally honest.

[n0th3r3]

I'm not going to knock it till it's out, but I don't think thirty dollars is a budget player.

[ronnopiano]

It's all relative as far as pricing goes. Early adopters always pay more. I paid $900 for a brand new technology called Sony Betamax Video Cassette Recorder. I learned my lesson and waited until the format war was over, but I have yet to jump on the HD bandwagon.
I'm going to wait until the HDTV & BR players are less expensive.

[paintedangel]

What most are failing to realize is that in any "new" developments in technology comes to market, that technology is in a constant state of "improvement flux"...What(who?) do you think pays for the research and development that goes into these products? YOU! The people who just cannot wait for a new product to "come into its own" so to speak Any idea how much this r&d costs?

The smart cosumer shows patience and waits until a product is at a develpmental apogee and not only does the price go down...WAAAAYYYY down, but the quality and features of any said product, at least in the realm of electronics goes way up.

Be patient and let those who just have to have it RIGHT NOW pay for the development and improvement of the new stuff...in a year or two blue ray decks will be selling for under $100 and be at stage"4.0" LOL!

[Csipa1]

Who cares. My 30 dollar Phillips from Smiley Blue is just fine, I won't get a blue-ray until it gets down to 50 -. See yahhhhh!

[rkinne01]

The move to Blu Ray isn't as compelling as the move from VHS to DVD was. The reason that people moved in droves to DVD was that it was just an all round better format. DVD lasts longer than tapes are much smaller making storage better, and VHS tapes had a nasty habit getting eaten by the VCR/Betamax machines. People were tired of the tapes and were clamoring for something better and DVD delivered. Blu-Ray isn't that much better, sure it has more capacity and a better picture but who wants to chuck thier DVD collection and start all over? Why spend $270-500 on a Blu-Ray when you could by an upconverting DVD player for a fraction of the cost? The media its self is the worst $20 for a standard DVD vs $40 for the Blu-Ray(for the same movie), sorry but DVD still offers the biggest bang for the average consumers buck.

I'm also bothered by the fact that there is no final standard set by Blu-Ray. With DVD I put a disk in and the thing plays ANY disk brand new or ten years old, with Blu-Ray you have versions to worry about....no thank you. I guess for the forseeable future I'll stick with DVD, it just works.

[guitarpete987]

Not bad. Why they couldn't make it profile 2.0 I just don't understand. I do think this will help the market expand this holiday, because I guarantee you stores are going to put this EVEN LOWER for sales just to help move Blu-ray discs.

At $399 and sure to go even lower within the next 6 months or so, I still say if you want Blu-ray you need a PS3. You get a fully fledged hard drive-enabled media player (photos, movies, music), an HD gaming machine with online capabilities AND a very usable -- if clunky and Flash-crippled -- Web browser.