Sony to debut 20 BDs during March-April

[zombie]

http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20060224PB211.html

Sony to debut 20 Blu-ray movies during March to April

Commercial Times, February 24; Esther Lam, DigiTimes.com [Friday 24 February 2006]

Sony Pictures Entertainment plans to roll out 20 DVD movies that support the Blu-ray standard, but the exact launch date of these movies will depend on the launch schedule for the first DVD player to support the Blu-ray standard, according to a report in the Chinese-language Commercial Times. Sony expects to introduce a total of 150 DVD movies playable at the Blu-ray standard in 2006.

Great to hear the movies are right around the corner but sad that the author of this article refers to Blu-ray as a form of DVD.

And what BD players are available in March? None, the Pioneer Elite isn't due till April.

[Sony1]

It's a shame that it is taking so long. All of the hardware is good to go and this delay is costing blue-ray. HD DVD comes out March 28th both player's and movies. So maybe the release of this BD movies is a response to HD DVD coming out first. It would be nice to see a Vaio Computer come out with a Blue-Ray drive in March, I don't see why they wont.

[zombie]

I'd like to see some pricing announcements for all of the BD players coming out. Only Sony and Pioneer have given an MSRP. Will any of them offer a player for less than $1000?

[Marwin]

The Samsung player will probably be the first one on the market, but it still sounds a bit early. It will cost $999 if I'm not mistaken. When it comes to firm release dates for Blu-ray players and movies I'm hoping CeBIT (March 9-15) will shed some more light on this topic.