Blu Ray Players About To Go Low!

[jcdDigix]

Check this out!
It appears HD DVD camp is not the only one that will carry cheappy HD players.... Did they say WalMart?! _ LoL
Now all the "fanfare" from the HD DuDs....about crushing BR over the prices. They need to find new strategies. Or is this their real end!
(Pages 24 & 26)

http://www.funaiworld.com/investors/...df/ks_e554.pdf

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by jcdDigix

Check this out!
It appears HD DVD camp is not the only one that will carry cheappy HD players.... Did they say WalMart?! _ LoL
Now all the "fanfare" from the HD DuDs....about crushing BR over the prices. They need to find new strategies. Or is this their real end!
(Pages 24 & 26)

http://www.funaiworld.com/investors/...df/ks_e554.pdf

yea..i guess we know what WALMART was realy looking for.... , before 2007 these are targeted for release..i wonder what the price is..since SONY was able to drop the price to $8.00 per blue laser DIODE....,$299.00....hmm where have i seen that price touted before

[nhaase]

All I will say about this, and I've said it before, is that when the false rumor of $299 HDDVD players at WM was started, people on this forum dismissed them as POS's that wouldn't sell due to inferior quality. Then, when the language of that false rumor turned out to hint towards a BD player, people on here said that it was great. That stinks of fan-boyism to me. Once again, it might pop-up. I'm not saying anything bad about anyone in particular, just a reminder.

Personally, POS or not, it's good, because people would buy it. Also, the name, "blu-ray," is distinctive from DVD, so people won't get as confused over it as HDDVD.

I'm just saying it's best to remember that false rumor, else this takes on the look of a fan-boy forum.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by nhaase

All I will say about this, and I've said it before, is that when the false rumor of $299 HDDVD players at WM was started, people on this forum dismissed them as POS's that wouldn't sell due to inferior quality. Then, when the language of that false rumor turned out to hint towards a BD player, people on here said that it was great. That stinks of fan-boyism to me. Once again, it might pop-up. I'm not saying anything bad about anyone in particular, just a reminder.

Personally, POS or not, it's good, because people would buy it. Also, the name, "blu-ray," is distinctive from DVD, so people won't get as confused over it as HDDVD.

I'm just saying it's best to remember that false rumor, else this takes on the look of a fan-boy forum.

its no false rumor this is real its official..and unlike the players from china Funai players are pretty good for their cost...

http://www.funaiworld.com/index.html

from Funai's official WEBSITE MAY 11th look at the pdf. page 13

the picture the OP posted is OFFICIAL from Funai

[dakota81]

You should still see what the hd-dvd spin on this is over at AVS, it's mind-boggling. I don't understand them at all, and hopefully, if nothing else, this report will just keep everyone quiet until there is something concrete. Probably not going to happen though.

[aaronwt]

"No specific player has been announced, nor any time frame, or manufacturer partnerships, but the inclusion of the bullet in their annual financial report alerts stockholders of their intention to move into the Blu-ray market. As a favorite manufacturer of Walmart (who awarded them a Billion Dollar Supplier Prize in 2006), these low cost players would most likely see wide distribution through the retail giant."

Am I missing something here? They plan on producing BD players. No time frame for when. It is a forward looking plan. If they can sell them for under $200 many people will buy them. The question is when they will sell them. Will it be 2007 or 2008? It doesn't say. There isn't even anything concrete saying that Walmart will be selling them. Just like the HD DVD stuff, untill there is an official press release with details, everything is conjecture except that FUNAI plans on making a BD player. Beyond that anything can happen. If they have a sub $200 player that is just as fast as the PS3, I will buy one whnever it is available for a second player. Until then I'll keep ising my 20GB(upgraded to 160GB) PS3.

[jermwhl]

I really don't think we'll see players under 200 this soon into the game do you? I think 299 is probable, as to compete with HD-DVD, but if they jump down to 199 that quick, then that will have beaten DVD's time frame to go that cheap! It seems like it took forever for DVD players to become that cheap.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by aaronwt

"No specific player has been announced, nor any time frame, or manufacturer partnerships, but the inclusion of the bullet in their annual financial report alerts stockholders of their intention to move into the Blu-ray market. As a favorite manufacturer of Walmart (who awarded them a Billion Dollar Supplier Prize in 2006), these low cost players would most likely see wide distribution through the retail giant."

Am I missing something here? They plan on producing BD players. No time frame for when. It is a forward looking plan. If they can sell them for under $200 many people will buy them. The question is when they will sell them. Will it be 2007 or 2008? It doesn't say. There isn't even anything concrete saying that Walmart will be selling them. Just like the HD DVD stuff, untill there is an official press release with details, everything is conjecture except that FUNAI plans on making a BD player. Beyond that anything can happen. If they have a sub $200 player that is just as fast as the PS3, I will buy one whnever it is available for a second player. Until then I'll keep ising my 20GB(upgraded to 160GB) PS3.

Funai said in 2007.so before the end of the year...thats the key.. page 12 of the PDF

here is the snapshot of page 12:

[GasCat]

Originally Posted by jermwhl

I really don't think we'll see players under 200 this soon into the game do you? I think 299 is probable, as to compete with HD-DVD, but if they jump down to 199 that quick, then that will have beaten DVD's time frame to go that cheap! It seems like it took forever for DVD players to become that cheap.

Look at the components used in the player.

Older technology:
Power supply - cheap.
Remote control - cheap.
LED graphic on front of unit - cheap.
Motor that spins the disc - cheap.
Mechanism for inserting/ejecting disc - cheap.
Case, cord, circuit board material, tramsistors, solder, etc. - cheap.

Extra costs:
Mechanism to move the laser with more precision.
The expense is the diode to read the disc (now down to 8 dollars per unit).
The chips on the circuit board.
Licensing costs for patents.
Engineering costs.

The most frustrating part watching this is they could deliver a knockout blow but are chossing not to do so. Instead they want to maximize profits by moving through different price points 1000, 600, 500, etc...

[Ascended_Saiyan]

Originally Posted by nhaase

All I will say about this, and I've said it before, is that when the false rumor of $299 HDDVD players at WM was started, people on this forum dismissed them as POS's that wouldn't sell due to inferior quality. Then, when the language of that false rumor turned out to hint towards a BD player, people on here said that it was great. That stinks of fan-boyism to me. Once again, it might pop-up. I'm not saying anything bad about anyone in particular, just a reminder.

I'm just saying it's best to remember that false rumor, else this takes on the look of a fan-boy forum.

I know I don't like cheap no-name BD players. I didn't know that this company basically IS Magnavox (and a few others). I have never had a bad Magnavox product in my life. I have a Magnavox VHS player and CRT TV that's over a decade old. So I respect the brand, but I wouldn't buy their BD players, though.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan

I know I don't like cheap no-name BD players. I didn't know that this company basically IS Magnavox (and a few others). I have never had a bad Magnavox product in my life. I have a Magnavox VHS player and CRT TV that's over a decade old. So I respect the brand, but I wouldn't buy their BD players, though.

well Funai is a japanese company that has been makeing CE devices for a while and for their price they are good products overall maybe not as good as some of the units that may be a couple $100 more but for the everyday use J6P they are very good. i do think because the DIODE price that SONY was able to get their price down is a big factor as to why Funai IS putting out a blu-ray play so soon. just my OPINION but i have been in the IT industry to know some things an blue laser DIODES was one of the big cost's in a blu-ray OPTICAL drive. that is a fact.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

Originally Posted by jermwhl

I really don't think we'll see players under 200 this soon into the game do you? I think 299 is probable, as to compete with HD-DVD, but if they jump down to 199 that quick, then that will have beaten DVD's time frame to go that cheap! It seems like it took forever for DVD players to become that cheap.

It happens. Our technology has grown to the point where we get things done in half the time it use to take us. Look how long it use to take cars to go from concept being sold. It took around 3+ years. Now it can happen in 18 months. Enjoy the benefits!

[Ascended_Saiyan]

Originally Posted by GasCat

Look at the components used in the player.

Older technology:
Power supply - cheap.
Remote control - cheap.
LED graphic on front of unit - cheap.
Motor that spins the disc - cheap.
Mechanism for inserting/ejecting disc - cheap.
Case, cord, circuit board material, tramsistors, solder, etc. - cheap.

Extra costs:
Mechanism to move the laser with more precision.
The expense is the diode to read the disc (now down to 8 dollars per unit).
The chips on the circuit board.
Licensing costs for patents.
Engineering costs.

The most frustrating part watching this is they could deliver a knockout blow but are chossing not to do so. Instead they want to maximize profits by moving through different price points 1000, 600, 500, etc...

I believe they are going about this in just about the most efficient manner possible...cost wise. Company's costs must be minimized. I believe Toshiba may need to be carried out of this format war on a stretcher. Recovery will be long.

[Blue]

It could be an idea to wait for an official announcement from maybe for example Wal Mart before jumping to any conclusions. We all know what happened to the last official looking rumor, even if there was a little problem with the translation. Whoever got the last rumor going must be still having a good laugh. By getting all excited it will only keep encouraging them if it is false and if true - well waiting a while will have no impact as they won't be available for sale for some time.

[Matt X]

Originally Posted by nhaase

All I will say about this, and I've said it before, is that when the false rumor of $299 HDDVD players at WM was started, people on this forum dismissed them as POS's that wouldn't sell due to inferior quality. Then, when the language of that false rumor turned out to hint towards a BD player, people on here said that it was great. That stinks of fan-boyism to me. Once again, it might pop-up. I'm not saying anything bad about anyone in particular, just a reminder.

Personally, POS or not, it's good, because people would buy it. Also, the name, "blu-ray," is distinctive from DVD, so people won't get as confused over it as HDDVD.

I'm just saying it's best to remember that false rumor, else this takes on the look of a fan-boy forum.

...let's make one clear distinction - the "China/Walmart" HDDVD rumor was released on a press release. To quote Tommy Boy loosely, "I could take a crap in a box and release it to the press". It only carries weight if it actually happens, which is to say it doesn't at this time. A Financial Statement is a whole 'nother animal - Funai wants investors. They want investment $$$. If they forecast to deliver BR players to attract investors, they better damn well deliver or it's their ass. W/a press release, they could later say, " oh, we were misquoted/misinterpreted" (oh, wait a minute, they already DID say that re: HDDUD & Walmart!!!!) If they fail to deliver on financial statements, that means less $$$. and less $$$ sucks.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by Matt X

...let's make one clear distinction - the "China/Walmart" HDDVD rumor was released on a press release. To quote Tommy Boy loosely, "I could take a crap in a box and release it to the press". It only carries weight if it actually happens, which is to say it doesn't at this time. A Financial Statement is a whole 'nother animal - Funai wants investors. They want investment $$$. If they forecast to deliver BR players to attract investors, they better damn well deliver or it's their ass. W/a press release, they could later say, " oh, we were misquoted/misinterpreted" (oh, wait a minute, they already DID say that re: HDDUD & Walmart!!!!) If they fail to deliver on financial statements, that means less $$$. and less $$$ sucks.

yup exactly thats what makes this INFO alot more credible since the ONE's who are makeing the player in the first place are telling INVESTORS they are. time frame before 2007..cost not at this time, number of PLAYERS not at this time.that is compared to THE deal that Walmart for buying low cost HD DVD from a certain company.

which i am sure they IE: Walmart were looking at their OPTIONS. but unlike last time this has we have no info at this time about Walmart getting these blu-ray players. this deal is a rebadge anyway means its for anyone to buy and put their name on them to sell.

The mere fact is them telling INVESTORS the plans to put out a blu-ray player before the end of 2007 is a good indication that the blu-ray DIODE shortage that was all last year may now be over. and SINCE Sony is the largest BLUE Laser DIODE producer in the world that just may be exactly why Funai maybe able to now offer a blu-ray player. now this is just an OPINION.. , i am just waiting to see how this pans out

[GoldenRedux]

Until tthese things actually start going up for pre-order and rolling off the assembly lines, I'll consider it vapourware.

[nhaase]

Originally Posted by joeorc

yup exactly thats what makes this INFO alot more credible since the ONE's who are makeing the player in the first place are telling INVESTORS they are. time frame before 2007..cost not at this time, number of PLAYERS not at this time.that is compared to THE deal that Walmart for buying low cost HD DVD from a certain company.

which i am sure they IE: Walmart were looking at their OPTIONS. but unlike last time this has we have no info at this time about Walmart getting these blu-ray players. this deal is a rebadge anyway means its for anyone to buy and put their name on them to sell.

The mere fact is them telling INVESTORS the plans to put out a blu-ray player before the end of 2007 is a good indication that the blu-ray DIODE shortage that was all last year may now be over. and SINCE Sony is the largest BLUE Laser DIODE producer in the world that just may be exactly why Funai maybe able to now offer a blu-ray player. now this is just an OPINION.. , i am just waiting to see how this pans out

I think my thread was misread. I am in no way challenging the validity of this story! I am merely saying that when it seemed as though cheap HDDVD players would be released (the false press release), people on here immediately dismissed them as junk, but when it comes to cheap BD players, they automatically become quality products. I think this forum, while being on a blu-ray site, is a quite balanced one, and I want it to stay that way. Just voicing a concern.

So joerc, I know this isn't a "false rumor," and MattX, there was no need to make a clear distinction, I myself had made it. Of the people who quoted my earlier post, Saiyan seems to be the only one who read it correctly. (Not being mean to others, just saying.)

[AustinSTI]

These players need to come out ASAP; the $299 Tosh players are a little scary and could if unchecked lead to a resurgance by HD-DVD and BDA cannot allow this to happen...

[Matt X]

Good point, for the most part - some folks DID acknowledge that if the HDDVD/walmart issue was true, it would complicate the "war", regardless of quality of players. same would hold true for BR, if it swung the other way w/Funai - they might be less quality players, but it will HELP our cause, in this case. I think you're right, some on the forums are undoubtedly fanboys - I just wanted to point out this new news is a lot less "false rumor" than the HDDVD press release.