Who in their right mind would buy a Blu-ray player right now?

[dadkins]

Laptop.
Burner.
Just got upgraded to Profile 2.0 via PowerDVD 8 Ultra Update.

I'm ok with that, ya know?

[cajmoyper]

Originally Posted by dadkins

Laptop.
Burner.
Just got upgraded to Profile 2.0 via PowerDVD 8 Ultra Update.

I'm ok with that, ya know?

I don't, but that's definitely something not everybody thinks about. I'd love to have a BD-drive in my laptop.

[CptGreedle]

Now is, indeed, not the time to join Blu-ray unless you are going to get the MGS4 PS3 bundle.
For all those who have not joined, just wait till the holidays.

[Tok]

engadget reports half-truths to spin the story to support their ANTI-BLU stance.

Same thing with G4TV reporting that GTAIV outsold on the 360 vs the PS3 at a 2:1 ratio. Funny I think they forgot to mention the number of installed 360s vs the installed PS3s.

The source must have been from the WELL DUH AP.

My take on the BD sales is the same as Bill Hunt's. When DIVX folded in 1999, DVD sales did not immediately explode. It took another year and a half until the 2000 holiday shopping season. CE sales typically decline at this time of year. Now if BD does not start to grow at a faster rate this holiday season then I will be a little worried.

[PaulGo]

Essentially all Engadget HD was saying is you can get a better stand alone player with more features at a lower cost if you wait a few months.

[hc666]

Simple

400+ plus a player = no sales.

http://technology.canoe.ca/2008/05/02/5454156-ap.html

Same story as reported before, canadian website on the front page.

It drives me that we are not seeing at least 299 right now for a player.

What;s worse? All the 400 dollar players are the Samsung and Sharp's that have horrible user reviews. The Panny and better Sony are still way more than 400.

RRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[Tok]

I will agree with engadget on one front. The deals that were becoming common place when the format war was in full swing have seemed to dry up.

No more players under $400. No more BOGOs. The BDA was a little too quick with their promotion pullback.

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

Originally Posted by CraigW

engadget reports half-truths to spin the story to support their ANTI-BLU stance.

Same thing with G4TV reporting that GTAIV outsold on the 360 vs the PS3 at a 2:1 ratio. Funny I think they forgot to mention the number of installed 360s vs the installed PS3s.

Exactly.

It's as if these morons expect the pS3 version to somehow sell disproportionately favorable to its installed base. It's a sad fact that valid analysis is dead in modern life. It's just idiots and their soundbites, or the occasional smart guy paid to manipulate others with spin by abusing statistics.

[gandley]

seems like more and more are running with this kind of topic

Blu-Ray sales tank for good reasons

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquir...es-tank-reason

[sjy1969]

Originally Posted by gandley

seems like more and more are running with this kind of topic

Blu-Ray sales tank for good reasons

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquir...es-tank-reason

That guy Demerjian is a notorious Sony hater. Anything on the subject is guaranteed to degenerate into a rant on "Rootkit" or "DRM Infection". I try to avoid reading anything by him whenever possible.

That being said though, it's just as well the PS3 is keeping Blu-ray on an upward path. If people don't care about extras as many on here insist, then why hold off buying a standalone if a PS3 is not what you want?

[PaulGo]

I think the problem is the manufactures want to get rid of the older players before they release the new players. They are afraid to cut the prices of the older players until they can ramp up production of the newer players. The newer players will replace the older ones at the same or slightly lower price point (for now) and then the remaining older players will be discounted. After they get rid of the older players they will then lower the prices of the newer players. I expect by November most of you new Blu-ray players will be selling for well under $300 and probably some new models will be selling for under $200.

It may sound crazy but this is the way most manufacturers think. A lot of people see a perceived value in higher price electronics. This is traditionally the slow season so cutting the price now will not really increase sales much. However you will probably see a lot of sales and promotions in the fall.

[Bullseye]

At this stage there is absolutely no excuses for not releasing Profile 2.0 players now. I cannot understand Pioneer releasing Profile 1.1 players now. Its mindboggling.

[dadkins]

Just to add...
I went out and bought another Sony VAIO and yes! It plays Blu-ray Discs.

So, I now have 2 VAIOs with Blu-ray playback.

[Rustmonsteru]

I love the PS3 but I'm really sick of accidentally turning it on when the remote gets sat on . I'll probably pick up the Panny 50 in the next few months.

[Entertainment72]

P S 3 makes articles such as that irrelevant and moot. Imagine that.. a BD player I purchase December of 2006 as current and viable as possible.

If I knew then what I know now.. I would have paid $1000 for it.

[Elandyll]

With the reviews I keep seeing, the BD1500 is shaping up to be a great entry level/ mid range player.
That's where we need the most competition, hopefully the future Sharp player will be in there.
BD1500 / S350 and BDH50 should all be around $300 or less by Xmas, for the sake of the Blu Ray format
(and all updated to the 2.0 profile).

Imo by end of year we will see:
Magnavox/Funai/Sylvania, Sigmatek & Daewoo: $199
Sharp player : $245. Sony S350 & Samsung BD1500: $299.
Sony S550 & Panny BD50: $449.
Pioneer & Denon: who knows, they sell their high end units at almost any price

[davcole]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

With the reviews I keep seeing, the BD1500 is shaping up to be a great entry level/ mid range player.
That's where we need the most competition, hopefully the future Sharp player will be in there.
BD1500 / S350 and BDH50 should all be around $300 or less by Xmas, for the sake of the Blu Ray format
(and all updated to the 2.0 profile).

Imo by end of year we will see:
Magnavox/Funai/Sylvania, Sigmatek & Daewoo: $199
Sharp player : $245. Sony S350 & Samsung BD1500: $299.
Sony S550 & Panny BD50: $449.
Pioneer & Denon: who knows, they sell their high end units at almost any price

I think that's the key, to get Profile 1.1 players upgradable to 2.0 out at a lower price like the Samsung. After a few mis-steps marketing-wise, I see this as a solid step advancing the industry.

It will be interesting to see the consumer response to those new sub- $300 players coming on the market?

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Rustmonsteru

I love the PS3 but I'm really sick of accidentally turning it on when the remote gets sat on . I'll probably pick up the Panny 50 in the next few months.

+1 This happens atleast 3 times a week in my household.

[PaulGo]

Originally Posted by Rustmonsteru

I love the PS3 but I'm really sick of accidentally turning it on when the remote gets sat on . I'll probably pick up the Panny 50 in the next few months.

Suggestion to Sony - put in an option in the menu to select if you want the PS3 turned on by any key or just the PS button.

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by dadkins

Laptop.
Burner.
Just got upgraded to Profile 2.0 via PowerDVD 8 Ultra Update.

I'm ok with that, ya know?

Yes, this is a possibility. But from what I read this still needs at least a moderate level of technical knowledge to get going. Laptop blu-ray, IMO, is not consumer yet.