New Funai player under $300!!!

[Rajbir]

Look at this annoucement
http://funai.us/bluRayDiscFunai.aspx

[Zaphod]

Better off buying a Sony 300 or Samsung 1400 for around $300. But it is encouraging that the lower end CE manufacturers are getting into the game and can only help in bringing the overall price down on players.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

Better off buying a Sony 300 or Samsung 1400 for around $300. But it is encouraging that the lower end CE manufacturers are getting into the game and can only help in bringing the overall price down on players.

this player is 1.1, it might even suport 2.0 in the future. it is a solid playe, that will most likely retail for under $249. this is very good news.

[owa]

Wow, that's pretty good for a 1.1 player. Hopefully we'll get full specs at CES.

[Manco]

I'm not yet convinced that will see stable BD-J firmware from the low-end CE manufacturers. I have generally argued against less expensive players for this reason. It's encouraging but could also just frustrate the heck out of consumers if it's buggy code.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

this player is 1.1, it might even suport 2.0 in the future. it is a solid playe, that will most likely retail for under $249. this is very good news.

At that price point (around $249), then that would be a decent deal...if by what they mean under $300 as $299...then maybe not so good of a deal. Of course this is just me because I don't care that much about the whole 1.1 profile.

[Blu Titan]

Great news, the player should be introduced by April and I would guess that it will be available for less than $250 in some places. Competition = better quality in the products and lower prices for the consumers.

[Blu Titan]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

At that price point (around $249), then that would be a decent deal...if by what they mean under $300 as $299...then maybe not so good of a deal. Of course this is just me because I don't care that much about the whole 1.1 profile.

I fully agree. I tried out profile 1.1 in both War and Re: Extinction...a little cute to experience for two minutes (PIP) but I will probably not be using that 99.9% of the time. Just my opinion, but I know that there are some that are really into the extras, the commentaries, ect. I just like movies that have eye popping visuals and thundering sounds.

[SamInNorthCakalakey]

I agree, people are already having issues with major companies like Panasonic taking their time with the firmware updates, imagine Funai. Nah, I'll stick with at least the middle of the road stuff so I don't get stuck for weeks with a movie that I can't watch.

Originally Posted by Manco

I'm not yet convinced that will see stable BD-J firmware from the low-end CE manufacturers. I have generally argued against less expensive players for this reason. It's encouraging but could also just frustrate the heck out of consumers if it's buggy code.

[Meerkat]

This is always great news. I personally try to stay away from cheaper line electronics, but this is what's good about blu-ray, competitive players. The more companies building blu-ray players, the better range in price to attract all consumers.

The more companies the better!

[JasonR]

Uhhhh. I have a S300 and would probably still buy it, lacking 1.1 and HD sound, over a no name. To each his own though...

This will bring about price drops though!!!

[Sylin]

This isn't a bad thing. For every enthusiast who has the best of the best, there's 25 middle income families who just got their first LCD TV for Christmas and might be persuaded to buy into Blu because of the low cost of this player.

Grandma buys DVD's, too!

[eat_me_cool]

Originally Posted by Manco

I'm not yet convinced that will see stable BD-J firmware from the low-end CE manufacturers. I have generally argued against less expensive players for this reason. It's encouraging but could also just frustrate the heck out of consumers if it's buggy code.

I disagree, the software is probably sourced via Sigma and given to all manufacturers. Funai are not a small company, they supply all Walmart's DVD players I believe, under numerous brand names.

[gvortex7]

This player is destined to be a greatest hit with the Walmart crowd.