Why all the Panic and Emotions ?

[JimPullan]

There are several of us here on the Forum that sell Sony products as part of our floorplanning and many here are or get confused regarding the Sony BDP-S1 availability, their distribution, who gets them, and when.

Hopefully this will clear this up and emotions will subside, and return to enjoying this wonderful technology.

Yes, as we progressed through the spring and summer months of 2006, Sony and other Blu-Ray folks were addressing technical issue with their players as well as software issues, transferring, etc. and an announcement was made, delaying the introduction of BDP-S1 until mid-November. This allowed the the appropriate time to address and resolve the 1st generation issues in time for their distribution date of November 15th.

All us Dealers who have standing orders from this summer will receive 'first' allocated distribution (meaning we're first, but with limited quantity). THIS HAS NOT CHANGED !!! SonyStyle is an arm of Sony that can proviide consumer direct sales and coexists with Sony's network of dealers, whom Sony extends to its Dealers priority to and over SonyStyle.

Our allocation amount and distribution date has not been extended or delayed. In fact we (the dealers) may be in possession of the first of the players preceeding the November 15th date. Any discussion or rumor you've heard regarding a 'December' date is referring to the second wave of players coming into the country and in a volume to accomidate the Christmas buyers and broader availability through SonyStyle. Now through the end of this year all dealers are subject to allocated, limited distribution . . .period !!!

Concerning a 2nd generation player, one incorporating the HDMI 1.3 chip is now well along, and is targeted for introduction preceeding, or at the time of, CEDIA 2007 Expo in Denver, CO in September 2007. If all issues and concerns are resolved, the introduction of the BDP-S2 'might occur' as soon as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV in January 2007.

I hope this was helpful. Bottom line here is: If you don't have one of these on 'back order' from this past summer months, you'll be waiting until the December allotment or allocation, even later if you waiting on the 2nd generation player.

Jim