Blu-ray heads for Russia

[Jeff®]

http://eng.cnews.ru/news/top/indexEn...7/02/22/237329

Blu-ray heads for Russia

Business
February 22, 2007, Thu 4:08 PM Moscow
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Sumsung has announced sales of the first world serial Blu-ray player in Russia. However, first discs in Russian will appear not earlier than spring. Experts say it is too early to introduce the new player on the world market.
The first world serial Blu-ray player BD-P1000 appeared on the Russian market. The player was available in US shops already last year. The company’s representatives say the player’s image resolution exceeds that of a standard DVD fivefold. The device costs 35 thousand rubles ($1300). It is currently available in Eldorado, M-Video and Technosila shops.
However it remains to be seen whether the player will be popular among customers. There have been no official supplies to Russia so far. 20 Century Fox say they might start in January next year. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment intends to introduce the player a bit earlier, in autumn this year.
There are currently five main players on the Blu-ray player market. Those are Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Pioneer. Yet none of them intends to start supplies to Russia.

Samsung BD-P1000 is available in Russia

“We believe the supplies are too early”, Panasonic Russia DVD and Hi-Fi division Head Mikhail Kanavichev said. “The thing is there are no Blu-ray discs created for the Russian market with a Russian translation in this country. The discs you can see in shops are for European or American users. Besides, Blu-ray players and discs are not compossible in different regions. And the leading film companies haven’t announced production of movies on Blu-ray for the Russian market”.
Mr. Kanavichev believes the Russian market is not prepared for the Blu-ray format, and 2007 will be the preparatory stage. “Initially, there will be no considerable sales, despite the fact that many retailers will be interested in adding the product to their assortment. We intend to introduce Panasonic Blu-ray players not earlier than 2008”.