As of October 1st, there is only $15.01 MSRP difference between BD and HD DVD players

[HDTV1080P]

As of October 1st 2007 a 1080P/24 3rd generation HD-DVD player is only $15.01 cheaper compared to a 3rd generation 1080P/24 BLU-RAY player.

A factory new Samsung BD-P1400 with HDMI 1.3, Ethernet port, and 1080P/24 support can be purchased as low as $415.
http://www.streetprices.com/Electronics/Other/Samsung-BDP1400-SP16695513.html?query=bdp-1400

A factory new Toshiba HD-A30 with HDMI 1.3, Ethernet port, and 1080P/24 support can be purchased as low as $399.99.
http://www.streetprices.com/Electronics/Other/Toshiba-HD-A30-SP16591039.html?query=HD-A30

When one compares the cheapest factory new 3rd generation BLU-RAY player with 1080P/24 support to the cheapest factory new 3rd generation HD-DVD player with 1080P/24 support then one will discover that HD-DVD players are only around $15.01 cheaper when compared to BLU-RAY players. When the difference in price between a BLU-RAY player and a HD-DVD player is so small the smart decision is to choose a BLU-RAY player since many movies in BLU-RAY are mastered at high bit rates using 50GB discs. BLU-RAY high bit rate movies look better then HD-DVD movies since the bit rates for video and audio are higher then what the HD-DVD format can provide. Maximum Video and Audio bit rate for BLU-RAY is 48 Mbits and the HD-DVD format offers only 30.24 Mbits for maximum Video and Audio bit rate. BLU-RAY is the smarter choice since Disney, 20th Century Fox, Starz, and Sony Pictures are exclusive to the BLU-RAY format. In the end player prices are not going to matter much, which format is the best in picture and sound quality with the more exclusive content will be the most popular format with consumers. The only reason to own a HD-DVD player is for people that want to watch exclusive Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures movies in HDTV. BLU-RAY has more exclusive studios compared to HD-DVD.

[gvortex7]

Actually, Amazon sells the HD-A30 for $367.00 + free shipping.
One thing is true though, the gap between HD DVD and Blu-ray player prices has closed tremendously. Price could hardly be an argument to favor HD DVD over Blu-ray anymore.

[Prime234]

I hate to burst the bubble here, but 15 bucks is a great deal when major companies measure items in tenths of cents. And when a company makes hundreds of thousands of players, 15 bucks/player adds to millions of dollars. It's nice the gap is closing, but it needs to get even closer for companies to ignore the price difference between Blu-ray Disc players and HD DVD players.

[clyon]

Originally Posted by Prime234

I hate to burst the bubble here, but 15 bucks is a great deal when major companies measure items in tenths of cents. And when a company makes hundreds of thousands of players, 15 bucks/player adds to millions of dollars. It's nice the gap is closing, but it needs to get even closer for companies to ignore the price difference between Blu-ray Disc players and HD DVD players.

The corporations what the prices higher so they can make money. They are not talking about revenue but the cost of a single player.

[MOONPHASE]

an extra $15.01 for a blu-ray player thats more superior then hd-dvd is very good. To be honest i would hate to see blu-ray players cheaper then hd-dvd players because by doing that people will start thinking hd-dvd is better because of higher price this is why i spent $600 for a Playstation 3 because since the price was higher then hd-dvd i just knew that blu-ray would be my format just because of a higher price and well also because the ps3 can do so many things besides just play dvds, cds, and most ps games

[richard lichtenfelt]

Originally Posted by Prime234

I hate to burst the bubble here, but 15 bucks is a great deal when major companies measure items in tenths of cents. And when a company makes hundreds of thousands of players, 15 bucks/player adds to millions of dollars. It's nice the gap is closing, but it needs to get even closer for companies to ignore the price difference between Blu-ray Disc players and HD DVD players.

Oh, ok, that would explain why so few companies make blu-ray while almost all of the electronics manufacturers make hd-dvd. No wait, it's the other way around isn't it.?
You didn't burst any bubble you just bounced harmlessly and comically off of it.

[Manco]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

To be honest i would hate to see blu-ray players cheaper then hd-dvd players because by doing that people will start thinking hd-dvd is better because of higher price...

I am so glad to see someone other than me actually gets this.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

Actually, Amazon sells the HD-A30 for $367.00 + free shipping.
One thing is true though, the gap between HD DVD and Blu-ray player prices has closed tremendously. Price could hardly be an argument to favor HD DVD over Blu-ray anymore.

Street prices on these players are constantly changing. This Amazon link now shows a price of $408.79 for the Samsung BD-P1400.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000TME35W/ref=pd_luc_mri/102-0265860-9480177?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A2A0CZG0007A9F&v=glance

If one searches the Internet they will be able to find the Samsung BD-P1400 for around $398 when it is in stock from various distributors from time to time. Soon the Toshiba HD-A30 will be selling for under $325 from various mail order companies then the price difference between the two players will be $75. Even if the price difference is only $75 most people that are educated about the format war will pay the extra $75 for a BLU-RAY player.

[w_tanoto]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Street prices on these players are constantly changing. This Amazon link now shows a price of $408.79 for the Samsung BD-P1400.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000TME35W/ref=pd_luc_mri/102-0265860-9480177?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A2A0CZG0007A9F&v=glance

If one searches the Internet they will be able to find the Samsung BD-P1400 for around $398 when it is in stock from various distributors from time to time. Soon the Toshiba HD-A30 will be selling for under $325 from various mail order companies then the price difference between the two players will be $75. Even if the price difference is only $75 most people that are educated about the format war will pay the extra $75 for a BLU-RAY player.

what the heck??? I just went there, it was still $415. Only few mins later, it dropped?

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

what the heck??? I just went there, it was still $415. Only few mins later, it dropped?

Amazon has agreements with different companies. Click on this link it will give you several different prices from Amazon for the same player.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000TME35W/ref=dp_olp_2/102-0265860-9480177?ie=UTF8&qid=1191223407&sr=8-1

[Dave]

Hahah. In a few more weeks Blu-ray will be not only the better but also the cheaper format

(if anyone actually cares for those 10-20 bucks more...)

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Dave

Hahah. In a few more weeks Blu-ray will be not only the better but also the cheaper format

(if anyone actually cares for those 10-20 bucks more...)

I do not mind cheaper products as long as quality is maintained. What I hate is cheaper products that are also cheap in quality. The Toshiba HD-XA2 is about 40%-45% more in cost but it is a higher quality player compared to other HD-DVD players. It has audio sync problems when playing most discs in 1080P/24 mode. So even Toshiba’s top of the line player has issues.

Toshiba has audio sync problems with most discs when played at 1080P/24 mode
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Hardware/Toshiba/Firmware_Upgrades/Toshiba_Adds_1080p24_to_XA2,_A20_HD_DVD_Players_In itial_Results_Buggy/984

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by Prime234

I hate to burst the bubble here, but 15 bucks is a great deal when major companies measure items in tenths of cents. And when a company makes hundreds of thousands of players, 15 bucks/player adds to millions of dollars. It's nice the gap is closing, but it needs to get even closer for companies to ignore the price difference between Blu-ray Disc players and HD DVD players.

Dude, I'm not sure what bubble you're trying to burst, but I'm having difficulty following your logic bubble. The whole reason folks here are discussing the price difference is because HD-DVD fans continually focus on the low cost of HD-DVD players as that formats PRIME benefit. With the cost difference narrowing considerably, that perceived benefit for HD-DVD is diminished. It's the final consumer who is focusing on price that is the target of these lowered Blku-ray prices; not the CE manufacturers.

[Slapper]

Originally Posted by Prime234

I hate to burst the bubble here, but 15 bucks is a great deal when major companies measure items in tenths of cents. And when a company makes hundreds of thousands of players, 15 bucks/player adds to millions of dollars. It's nice the gap is closing, but it needs to get even closer for companies to ignore the price difference between Blu-ray Disc players and HD DVD players.

Hundreds of thousands of Blu-ray players coming from a single manufacturer is still quite a ways into the future. Maybe next year, if the format war comes to an end, but I highly doubt it.

I'm not including the PS3 here, of course.

[Bigdog]

The market for these players is always going to be weak until more homes have 1080p displays in them.

[bootman]

The MSRP in the title is misleading.
You quote street prices which can and do vary wildly.
These are not the same as the retail price set by the manufacturers.

[radagast]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE
To be honest i would hate to see blu-ray players cheaper then hd-dvd players because by doing that people will start thinking hd-dvd is better because of higher price...

Originally Posted by Manco

I am so glad to see someone other than me actually gets this.

Believe me, you aren't the only one who gets it.

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Prime234

I hate to burst the bubble here, but 15 bucks is a great deal when major companies measure items in tenths of cents. And when a company makes hundreds of thousands of players, 15 bucks/player adds to millions of dollars. It's nice the gap is closing, but it needs to get even closer for companies to ignore the price difference between Blu-ray Disc players and HD DVD players.

I hate to be paranoid about new members. I was one once. But the troll-alert meter is flashing yellow and it's starting to turn orange. Is this a new FUD tactic?

[WickyWoo]

Those are European numbers, where Toshiba has never been taking a bath either. That A30 is the US A3, and it's $100 more expensive over there (maybe $150)

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by Prime234

I hate to burst the bubble here, but 15 bucks is a great deal when major companies measure items in tenths of cents. And when a company makes hundreds of thousands of players, 15 bucks/player adds to millions of dollars. It's nice the gap is closing, but it needs to get even closer for companies to ignore the price difference between Blu-ray Disc players and HD DVD players.

POP. That was your bubble bursting. Manufacturers are already ignoring HD DVD. Quick name all of the HD DVD manufacturers. Toshiba, 360 Addon, Venturer... (sound of crickets). Ok not stop count HD DVD players, and start count blu-ray manufacturers. Sony, Philips, Sharp, Samsung, Denon, Pioneer, Pansonic, Lite-on, Mitsubishi, Funai, JVC, Loewe, Daewoo. Looks like there is more manufacturer support for the blu-ray.