Blu-ray player prices

[Negativecool]

(Noob alert). Hi all, new member, although not really--I should have signed up a long time ago. I've been following blu ray and this site since I learned what blu ray was back when the PS3 was announced in E3 2005.

A question I had (which I'm not sure if it has been asked yet even with a forum search) is when doyou think blu ray will match HD-DVD's price in all or most of its players. (excluding the PS3 and its eventual price drop(s))
As much as many don't like to admit it, hd dvd isn't dead yet, and its price is a big reason why. So when will hd dvd's biggest draw be countered?
Price may not be as big of an issue with some of you, but I’ll be starting my masters next year, and my wife is currently getting her PhD…so we’re going to be students for quite a bit longer with few funds for anything. I would love to see a BD player drop below the $200 mark---but don’t lose track of my original philosophical question of when will blu ray MATCH or possibly dip below that of hd dvd.

Another thing I've never really been straight on is why hd dvd (beyond the cheaper price)? Is there some level of interactivity that trumps that of blu ray, some software that blu ray has no answer to? I only ask because thus far I haven't been able to figure out how the HD DVD camp has been so confident in the shadow of all the blu ray supporters.

Thanks all, love the site and go Blu ray!

[reiella]

HD-DVD came out first. That's a big thing. They also have the more recogonizable name. Also big [but also two-edged].

HDi is here now, BDjava is in the future. HD-DVD requires players have ethernet port, it's optional in BD [thus implying, network interoperability is tighter with the HD-DVD]. HD-DVD can do true SD picture in HD picture now, Blu-Ray has 'better' coming in the future.

And, of course, the cost. Cost per disc was the old one, but that's closed. Cost per player is the current, but that's a shifty battle there.

When will the price hit there? I dunno, I'm not an insider, I'm familiar with the price-points of the hardware [the big one is the blue diode I know, which will go down as production ramps up]. If I had to guess for the 200$ price-point range, I'd say 2 years or so, or maybe Christmas of next year, but I'm in no way qualified to make that guess , and I'm just basing it on my feeble recollection of the DVD players prices.

[jorg]

yes around 2 years b4 stand alones reach that price and corerect me if im worung but i remember that like up until march the laser diods cost 70$ each but know only like 7$?

[The Don]

200 bucks may be possible at the end of 2008....but that's quite optimistic...

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by jorg

yes around 2 years b4 stand alones reach that price and corerect me if im worung but i remember that like up until march the laser diods cost 70$ each but know only like 7$?

There are claims that Sony has gotten THEIR cost down to $8 a piece. Which allows them to pop them in PS/3's very cheaply.

Ironically, it was then that fool from Video Business started raising the idea that Sony should drop the BD player so they can cut the price of the PS/3.

Wait until later in the year when the Xbox 360 folks are playing the DVD shuffle with their great games (assuming their 360 still works), and PS/3 owners are enjoying the bonus movie on the single game disc.

"Ah, I understand now!"

[ussrelativity]

I'm interested in the Samsung BD-P1400 mentioned today.

I wonder if it will be at a good price by the end of the year.

I probably couldn't get it, or anything else, but that type of model would certainly even the playing field with the HD-DVD consoles, and their standard features. That's the kind of model people would be wanting easily. I think that more models will have everything in terms of audio and Ethernet connectivity in the near future. I welcome it.

[darkpoet25]

Currently the cheapest Blu Ray player is the new Sony BDP-S300 at $499.99. Not to mention BR's counter on the hd dud with the 5 free Blu Ray titles. As far as the $200 price point, it will take a while. Look how long it's taken DVD players to get as low as they are. I'm waiting to see what Denon and Onkyo have up there sleeves. Especially Denon, the dvd players were great machines, but expensive as hell.

[WickyWoo]

Toshiba is losing gobs of money and they have to sell at $299

You might see a Chinese piece of crap by the end of the year at $299, $399 is realistic for a name brand player.

[gand41f]

Originally Posted by darkpoet25

Currently the cheapest Blu Ray player is the new Sony BDP-S300 at $499.99.

There's also the identical BDP-S301 that goes for $449 at Costco.

enjoy
gandalf

[GasCat]

Your cheapest option may be one for the computer. I know they are cheaper but am not sure of the practicality for you. We have a Blu-Ray player forum that may be far more useful in providing advice.

I do not think you will see 200 dollar prices for several years.