Version: 2008

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Comments on: $300 Blu-ray player? Not so fast

A report that Sony was planning to roll out a $300 Blu-ray player in 2007 prove to be false, after we speak with a Sony representative.

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What about HD DVD lowering prices?
by i_am_still_wade March 5, 2007 11:40 AM PST
So, Blu-Ray players are going to start costing 40% less this summer. Does anyone really think HD DVD camp is just going to keep their price static? This move will force HD DVD lower, a lot lower, which may tip the scales back to HD DVD.

For instance, suppose HD DVD player start selling for $300, while Blu-Ray sells for $600. That $300 is right at what Sony calls the tipping point.

Price is the reason why I think HD DVD will win, provided that HD DVD can get to $300 or even sub $200 by Christmas. If not, HD DVD will most likely lose because you know Blu-Ray will have cheap players for Christmas 2008.
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There's still a few other factors
by usadingo March 6, 2007 2:25 PM PST
I agree with you. However, I think the reason HD-DVD will win is due to the idiot factor. Basically, people don't understand Blu-Ray, but they get HD-DVD. If a regular movie disc is "DVD," than a high-definition movie disc should be "HD-DVD" - makes sense.
HD-DVD still has a ways to go though. For a lot of us, 1080p is still the big factor. It's available in both formats, but at roughly the same price. For those who don't have 1080p sets, HD-DVD has the clear advantage though.
What about HD DVD lowering prices?
by i_am_still_wade March 5, 2007 11:40 AM PST
So, Blu-Ray players are going to start costing 40% less this summer. Does anyone really think HD DVD camp is just going to keep their price static? This move will force HD DVD lower, a lot lower, which may tip the scales back to HD DVD.

For instance, suppose HD DVD player start selling for $300, while Blu-Ray sells for $600. That $300 is right at what Sony calls the tipping point.

Price is the reason why I think HD DVD will win, provided that HD DVD can get to $300 or even sub $200 by Christmas. If not, HD DVD will most likely lose because you know Blu-Ray will have cheap players for Christmas 2008.
Reply to this comment
There's still a few other factors
by usadingo March 6, 2007 2:25 PM PST
I agree with you. However, I think the reason HD-DVD will win is due to the idiot factor. Basically, people don't understand Blu-Ray, but they get HD-DVD. If a regular movie disc is "DVD," than a high-definition movie disc should be "HD-DVD" - makes sense.
HD-DVD still has a ways to go though. For a lot of us, 1080p is still the big factor. It's available in both formats, but at roughly the same price. For those who don't have 1080p sets, HD-DVD has the clear advantage though.
here we go again
by SDogg554 March 5, 2007 2:47 PM PST
heres another prime example of when the technology industry screws the consumers who jumped on the bandwagon too early. I myself havent bought into next gen dvd yet and this is why. people paid upwards of $1000 for these players and now prices for both formats may take a dive.

it just proves again that you cant jump in too early. i bought an HDTV when HD was the new thing that everyone needed to have. now i have an HDTV with 1080i (no 720p) and no HDMI.
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here we go again
by SDogg554 March 5, 2007 2:47 PM PST
heres another prime example of when the technology industry screws the consumers who jumped on the bandwagon too early. I myself havent bought into next gen dvd yet and this is why. people paid upwards of $1000 for these players and now prices for both formats may take a dive.

it just proves again that you cant jump in too early. i bought an HDTV when HD was the new thing that everyone needed to have. now i have an HDTV with 1080i (no 720p) and no HDMI.
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Won't matter if we can't rent the movies.
by dfichtner March 6, 2007 9:15 AM PST
It won't matter to most people if the bluray (or HDDVD) movies are not available for rent in large quantities. Until that time, owning one of these players will be a novelty item. I don't think the masses will be at all excited about buying movies they already own, or have seen 30 times. Only proud videophiles will do that.

Wow! How about watching that Batman movie for the 31st time tonight? It looks so great in HD! *laugh*

Get me rentals, and a player I an afford (below $300) and I'll bite, along with a lot of other people.
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check out blockbuster or netflix websites....
by sears_guy March 6, 2007 2:18 PM PST
blockbusters website has hi-def movies under collections....only thing is you have to rent thru the mail!
Won't matter if we can't rent the movies.
by dfichtner March 6, 2007 9:15 AM PST
It won't matter to most people if the bluray (or HDDVD) movies are not available for rent in large quantities. Until that time, owning one of these players will be a novelty item. I don't think the masses will be at all excited about buying movies they already own, or have seen 30 times. Only proud videophiles will do that.

Wow! How about watching that Batman movie for the 31st time tonight? It looks so great in HD! *laugh*

Get me rentals, and a player I an afford (below $300) and I'll bite, along with a lot of other people.
Reply to this comment
check out blockbuster or netflix websites....
by sears_guy March 6, 2007 2:18 PM PST
blockbusters website has hi-def movies under collections....only thing is you have to rent thru the mail!
Tipping Point
by pschatzy March 6, 2007 9:23 AM PST
I just picked up a nice standard DVD player for 30 bucks from Amazon. Blu Ray? Shmu Ray! Hi Def? Not Mos Def. A $299 price point won't tip it for me. Experience tells us that the latest DVD formats will be obsolete faster that you can say Quentin Tarentino. (Excuse my spelling.) When the new formats hit about a hundred bucks...maybe I will consider buying.

In the meantime, I have a nice Sanyo Betamax HiFi machine I am willing to sell. I'll throw in the Brooklyn Bridge at no extra cost.
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Tipping Point
by pschatzy March 6, 2007 9:23 AM PST
I just picked up a nice standard DVD player for 30 bucks from Amazon. Blu Ray? Shmu Ray! Hi Def? Not Mos Def. A $299 price point won't tip it for me. Experience tells us that the latest DVD formats will be obsolete faster that you can say Quentin Tarentino. (Excuse my spelling.) When the new formats hit about a hundred bucks...maybe I will consider buying.

In the meantime, I have a nice Sanyo Betamax HiFi machine I am willing to sell. I'll throw in the Brooklyn Bridge at no extra cost.
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ive seen one
by ellis feigenbaum March 7, 2007 6:07 AM PST
well nearly, best buy thousand oaks is having a remodelling sale i have seen a sub 400 bucks blue ray player and even though tempted it still wasnt cheap enough for me.
Ellis
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ive seen one
by ellis feigenbaum March 7, 2007 6:07 AM PST
well nearly, best buy thousand oaks is having a remodelling sale i have seen a sub 400 bucks blue ray player and even though tempted it still wasnt cheap enough for me.
Ellis
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