Sony should listen...

[Elandyll]

Found on the IMDB news section:

Research Group Says Sony Must Reduce Blu-ray Prices


Market research firm Forrester Research, which has long predicted that Sony's Blu-ray system will eventually win out over Toshiba's HD DVD as the format of choice for high-definition home video, expressed concern Tuesday over Sony's strategy. In its latest report, Forrester analyst J.P. Gownder maintained that Blu-ray must be able to compete effectively with HD DVD on price and that if it does not, it can lose its current edge. Gownder said that Blu-ray must introduce a player below $250 by Christmas and be more aggressive in promoting the system. Meanwhile, Home Theater Specialists of America, a group of specialty HDTV dealers and installers, announced Monday that its members would only be installing Blu-ray players from now on. The announcement came as a study was released indicating that Blu-ray was already installed in 92 percent of home-theater installations in the U.S.

92% ... holy smokes. But it does confirm that (good) analysts know that Blu-Ray is leading and should win.

[w_tanoto]

I think its been discussed before, but I agree on dropping the price

[Luis_A51]

I agree that dropping the price would certainly help, but Im so tired of hearing comments along the lines of "Sony needs a $200-250 player within the next few months or else they'll lose everything"

Id love to work for one of these "research" companies considering they get paid to pretty much pull any theory out of their ass and use dubious "data" to back it up. Sounds pretty sweet to me.

[Proteus]

Poor analysts talk in the now. Good analysts talk in the future.

There is no reason for Sony or any BDA member to spend money or reduce prices now. None whatsoever.

Post-Halloween is when it is time. When all the new BD players from several top CE manufacturers start really hitting the shelves and consumers are in the mood to buy (holidays) is the time.

There is a _lot_ of marketing dollars between all the BDA companies and I'm pretty sure they will all save their marketing money so they can 'blitz' the market when it matters most... the holidays.

Let's talk after the new year and see how it went.

[MacHaggis]

If you're looking at a battle between Blu-ray and HD-DVD, then the specs are important and as long as the price differential is not great, Blu-ray has the advantage.

The much larger battle has to do with convincing the general public (read "SD-DVD viewer") to switch over to the format. That is where low-priced Blu-ray players will dramatically make a difference.

I don't expect Sony or other higher-end manufacturers to come out with the very low cost player, but other makers.

Two very different markets to cater to...

Bogdan

[Walken]

I am not sure if this was just a "clean the space" sale or what, but I was at Circuit City the other day and saw a Samsung blu player for $340.

[bdrex28]

Originally Posted by Walken

I am not sure if this was just a "clean the space" sale or what, but I was at Circuit City the other day and saw a Samsung blu player for $340.

I think a blu-ray player at even $299 with good features will help. You hit that sub $300 market and you're fine I believe.