Blu-ray Player Holiday Price Cuts?

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Market research firm ABI Research believes that we will see more Blu-ray players in the $150 - $200 range this holiday season. There are a handful out already that are below the $200 mark, let’s just hope we see discounts on the movies themselves too.

"They are also getting more competition than they expected from download alternatives such as Xbox 360 and the Roku Netflix player, TiVo and Amazon. However downloads provide an opportunity as well as a threat – both LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics have concluded agreements with Netflix that allow some of their players to download movies and TV shows straight from Netflix.
 
That may help the sale of more players, though with the way the economy his it still mignt not be enough.
 
I was just pricing these yesterday... so once they do get lower I may have to grab one
 
Maybe this will put an end to people claiming to not see a difference when compared to DVD.

It won't, because there are still people out there who claim they can't see any difference in HDTV and SDTV. Naturally those of us who have an IQ above 50 realize it is because they are idiots and are using the crap SD composite cables, but that does not seem to deter them.
 
when they drop under $100 i will care, till then my lite-on br drive works just fine in my PC :)
 
when they drop under $100 i will care, till then my lite-on br drive works just fine in my PC :)

Amen. I plan on doing the same thing. Its annoying how Blueray smashed HD-DVD then expected everyone to buy their over priced products because they had a monoply. About time that they faced a competitor that can destroy them:D
 
It won't, because there are still people out there who claim they can't see any difference in HDTV and SDTV. Naturally those of us who have an IQ above 50 realize it is because they are idiots and are using the crap SD composite cables, but that does not seem to deter them.

You have to understand why Joe Sixpack might not give a damn about Blu-Ray. For many people it's not just about buying a Blu-Ray player and the movies. To actually begin to see HD from Blu-Ray you must have a HDCP compliant setup.

There's a lot of people out there who were early adopters to HDTV's, and they have no idea about HDCP needed for DVI or HDMI connections. Many of the HDTV's out there have only component connections, and I doubt people are more then happy to spend the money for a TV with a compliant DVI/HDMI connection just to watch Blu-Ray in HD. If you bought a HDTV prior to 2005, you're most likely unable to see anything in HD with Blu-Ray.

It's easy to see why so many people just don't see a difference. The significant price drop was needed, but wasn't going to solve the problems Blu-Ray causes for many people. HDCP must be removed from Blu-Ray players that require it, otherwise it's doomed to fail.
 
Just saw some leaked Black Friday ads and it looks like sub $200 is happening. Granted they are the lower end shite players but w/e.
 
*snip*To actually begin to see HD from Blu-Ray you must have a HDCP compliant setup. *snip*

I have a 9-yr old CRT-based first-gen 30" HDTV that only has analog connections (i.e. component) on it, and I enjoy BR (@ 1080i) on my TV just fine with my PS3. No HDCP compliance.
 
I can't see a difference between Blu-ray and broadcast TV....usually because there are tears in my eyes over spending $25+ on Blu-ray movies.

The big deal at Best Buy this week....wait for it, wait for it...2 Blu-ray movies for $50! Yay!

:(


I know there are going to be the people that are going to jump in with their "OMFG, Blu-ray movies are on $0.50 where I buy them" but the regular retail stores sell new release Blu-ray movies for $25+ and act like it is a "deal". I just want to be able to walk into my local BB/Wal-Mart/Video store and pay $15 for a new release BR movie.
 
You have to understand why Joe Sixpack might not give a damn about Blu-Ray. For many people it's not just about buying a Blu-Ray player and the movies. To actually begin to see HD from Blu-Ray you must have a HDCP compliant setup.

There's a lot of people out there who were early adopters to HDTV's, and they have no idea about HDCP needed for DVI or HDMI connections. Many of the HDTV's out there have only component connections, and I doubt people are more then happy to spend the money for a TV with a compliant DVI/HDMI connection just to watch Blu-Ray in HD. If you bought a HDTV prior to 2005, you're most likely unable to see anything in HD with Blu-Ray.

It's easy to see why so many people just don't see a difference. The significant price drop was needed, but wasn't going to solve the problems Blu-Ray causes for many people. HDCP must be removed from Blu-Ray players that require it, otherwise it's doomed to fail.

My 37" sharp hdtv is not HDCP compliant nor does it have HDMI. I have DVI or Component, I use a PS3 and HDMI -> DVI. There is a Clear difference between DVD upscaled and Blu-Ray. When I was using component there was still a clear difference. So that throws that argument clear out the window because my tv is also pre 2005. It boils down to cable quality, Pre DVI/HDMI cable quality mattered..ALOT. If you are using component cables and using crap ones your picture is going to be marginally better then composite. You don't begin to see a significant difference until you actually invest in quality cables. Back when HDTV was first coming out I worked at best buy, I lost count of the number of idiots who bought a TV, refused to buy good cables and then brought it back a week later complaining about the picture quality. It boils down to "Your average consumer is an idiot when it comes to technology". The other problem with HDTV's are the standards in them. For example not all hdtv's are created equal, I have seen more then my share of hdtv's with Good cables that look like shit because it was a cheap piece of crap (Olivea anyone?). I hate to break it to people who bought these, but they didn't save $700 on a hdtv, they instead overpaid horribly for an SD tv marketed as an hdtv.

The other problems Blu-ray has are the vendors producing it. There are far too many movies out that are sold as "Blu-Ray" that just aren't. I know I have a couple of movies myself that look like upscaled DVD's and just piss me off that I spent $30 on them. However a Good Blu-ray movie is a night and day difference from anything a DVD can produce on a decent hdtv with quality cables. Now if you want to really get to brass tacks, the newer HDTV's like the Samsung 8 series and the Sony Bravia's just blow my tv away with Blu-ray quality. On Tv's like this the difference is clear and inarguable to anyone who isn't blind or in blatant denial.
 
I can't see a difference between Blu-ray and broadcast TV....usually because there are tears in my eyes over spending $25+ on Blu-ray movies.

The big deal at Best Buy this week....wait for it, wait for it...2 Blu-ray movies for $50! Yay!

:(


I know there are going to be the people that are going to jump in with their "OMFG, Blu-ray movies are on $0.50 where I buy them" but the regular retail stores sell new release Blu-ray movies for $25+ and act like it is a "deal". I just want to be able to walk into my local BB/Wal-Mart/Video store and pay $15 for a new release BR movie.

You know, I am going to be blunt a moment. Before hdtv, blu-ray or any of that other crap came about, we walked into the store and were glad to pay $24 for DVD. I really fail to see what all the whining is about on Blu-ray averaging between $24-$30, when at the DVD were every bit as expensive if not more so after they had been out for the same amount of time Blu-Ray has.

Just to further prove my point
http://www.target.com/gp/search/181-2887636-8648727?ie=UTF8&index=dvd&ref=sr_bx_1_1&field-keywords=Blu-Ray%20movies[/URL
Here is a link to Target's current prices on Blu-ray. Even i the new releases very few are more then $26, even Iron man is $24. Most are under $24.

Geez, quit shopping at best buy if they are more expensive..Rule #1 of shopping..Shop around for the best price.
 
You know, I am going to be blunt a moment. Before hdtv, blu-ray or any of that other crap came about, we walked into the store and were glad to pay $24 for DVD. I really fail to see what all the whining is about on Blu-ray averaging between $24-$30, when at the DVD were every bit as expensive if not more so after they had been out for the same amount of time Blu-Ray has.

Just to further prove my point
http://www.target.com/gp/search/181-2887636-8648727?ie=UTF8&index=dvd&ref=sr_bx_1_1&field-keywords=Blu-Ray%20movies
Here is a link to Target's current prices on Blu-ray. Even i the new releases very few are more then $26, even Iron man is $24. Most are under $24.

Geez, quit shopping at best buy if they are more expensive..Rule #1 of shopping..Shop around for the best price.

Nah there's a difference. Normal DVD's were list price $24.99-$20.99 for new releases and often on sale for less. Within a month they'd be down to 19.99, 15.99, etc, then on sale you could get them for $5 cheaper than their list usually.

Blu-Ray's are LIST: $39.99 as new release, then $34.99 after a month, etc...
Now granted their sale discounts as a percent are great. But thats only b/c at $35-40 noone would buy them. Blu-Ray is TRYING to get a lot more, but are settling for $27.95 for most NEW releases, then dropping it to $24.95, etc.. after a month or 2.

The problem is they're still a lot more expensive. On average at least $5-8 more expensive in the correct relative time period. ie: brand NEW release (first week or 2) for Blu-Ray are usually $28, for DVD are $21. Thats a 33% increase. THATS A BIG DIFFERENCE. $28- $21/ $21 = 33.33%
 
I just want to be able to walk into my local BB/Wal-Mart/Video store and pay $15 for a new release BR movie.

Sorry, man....but it'll be a little bit before we get to that point unfortunately. In it's defense, BR prices have dropped significantly faster than DVD prices did at the same age of the format. I recall my first DVD purchase in 1997; cost me $40 retail for a non-anamorphic transfer, lol.
 
I can't see a difference between Blu-ray and broadcast TV....usually because there are tears in my eyes over spending $25+ on Blu-ray movies.

The big deal at Best Buy this week....wait for it, wait for it...2 Blu-ray movies for $50! Yay!

:(


I know there are going to be the people that are going to jump in with their "OMFG, Blu-ray movies are on $0.50 where I buy them" but the regular retail stores sell new release Blu-ray movies for $25+ and act like it is a "deal". I just want to be able to walk into my local BB/Wal-Mart/Video store and pay $15 for a new release BR movie.

I agree completely. Back when they were selling DVD's for $20+ I didn't buy any. When the prices dropped to $15 and under, I started buying them all the time. Now the wife and I have a couple hundred movies. I don't think BR will take off until the movies are down to under $20 all the time or even better, around the $15 price point. The picture may be better then DVD, but who cares? I can buy a DVD for ~$15 or less and play it upsampled in my PS3 that looks great. Yeah, I could pay $10 more for it to look better, but upsampled DVD is good enough for me and I think a lot of other people feel the same. Unless Sony recognizes this fact, BR's gonna just be another failed format for them.
 
Ha anyone looked on amazon.com recently? I got a Sony Blu-ray player and 4 movies for $170 shipped. I think the deal might still be going on.
 
Nah there's a difference. Normal DVD's were list price $24.99-$20.99 for new releases and often on sale for less. Within a month they'd be down to 19.99, 15.99, etc, then on sale you could get them for $5 cheaper than their list usually.

Blu-Ray's are LIST: $39.99 as new release, then $34.99 after a month, etc...
Now granted their sale discounts as a percent are great. But thats only b/c at $35-40 noone would buy them. Blu-Ray is TRYING to get a lot more, but are settling for $27.95 for most NEW releases, then dropping it to $24.95, etc.. after a month or 2.

The problem is they're still a lot more expensive. On average at least $5-8 more expensive in the correct relative time period. ie: brand NEW release (first week or 2) for Blu-Ray are usually $28, for DVD are $21. Thats a 33% increase. THATS A BIG DIFFERENCE. $28- $21/ $21 = 33.33%

Wrong,

When DVD's came out they were a hell of alot more then $24.99. I was talking about when DVD was first in competition with VHS, not the current market. Further more I have not seen a Blu-Ray release at $39.99 in months, thus your info is pretty badly off there. The highest I have seen any new release Blu-ray single movie for on release day lately is $29.99.

The current of $5-$8 more for HD content vs Non HD content is hardly unreasonable. Frankly when I look back at what DVD's cost compared to VHS it is a damn good deal. DVD's took Forever to come down in price, Blu-ray has fallen far quicker in price. That in an indisputable fact. Sorry your numbers are just flat wrong.
 
The current of $5-$8 more for HD content vs Non HD content is hardly unreasonable. Frankly when I look back at what DVD's cost compared to VHS it is a damn good deal. DVD's took Forever to come down in price, Blu-ray has fallen far quicker in price. That in an indisputable fact. Sorry your numbers are just flat wrong.

And yet sales of BR disks still suck. How about that...
 
I've talked myself out of Blu-ray many a time. I guess the main reason is my "old" HDTV is only 720p.

I've seen blu-ray on the newest, top of the line HDTVs and it looks like real life. Wouldn't look that good on my TV so I'll stick with regular DVDs until I buy a new HDTV way down the road.
 
And yet sales of BR disks still suck. How about that...

weird how that works out eh?

in other news, SACD sales suck also :confused::eek:

anyway, when it comes to BR... netflix FTW...
 
I don't know where you live but $29.99 is a steal. At the local best buy they are still charging between 34.99-39.99 for most new movies. You seriously have to see it to believe it. I don't go into best buy that much anymore -been about 2 months- and when I want to pick up movies I drive a little further to Walmart where they actually have reasonable pricing.
 
Price aside you guys arguing, the biggest thing that people don't consider is that people have already established their DVD collection. They are not into re-purchasing their collection for BR.

I've got 500 DVDs, and have my Oppo DVD player to keep them looking good, plus my cable service in HD for my HD content.
 
A few Futureshop stores in Canada have already sold the Insignia Blu-Ray player for $99.99 just a few weeks ago.
 
I really like my Oppo DV981H. It does a great job upconverting.

However, Blu-Ray, especially with animated pieces like Kung Fu Panda, is awesome.

But the high price of Bluray players, coupled with the high price of Bluray discs...not to mention the "grab bag" effect of Bluray titles ( in respect to whether or not the quality will be there or not ) -- makes Bluray, for me, very unattractive.
 
Price aside you guys arguing, the biggest thing that people don't consider is that people have already established their DVD collection. They are not into re-purchasing their collection for BR.

I've got 500 DVDs, and have my Oppo DVD player to keep them looking good, plus my cable service in HD for my HD content.

Who said anything about re-buying? Now re-buying VHS to DVD sure, but DVD to HD no point. Unless it was actually recorded in HD format there is Zero reason to rebuy old DVD's. The only reason there ever was to replace a VHS collection with DVD is for size and longivity of the disks vs Magnetic media. I have well in excess of 1200 DVD's at this point, I have not re purchased anything I already owned on BRD. Instead I simply buy everything new on BRD. I can't believe people are even still bringing up this argument. Only someone who just had too much money and no common sense would replace their entire movie collection.

Concerning the price mention by bboynitrous, The link I posted (gotta copy paste since I fumbled it), was to Target's website. That price is available to anyone no matter what part of the country you live in. On that note...who the hell buys anything from bestbuy? Seriously I love to go there to look around, but I wouldn't buy anything from them. They are so badly overpriced on just about everything it is sad. If that is your sole price source for Blu-ray anything, then no wonder you think blu-ray is over priced...Seriously haven't some of you people heard of places like; Target, Walmart, Newegg and a slew of other places where you can "NOT" pay best buy like prices?
 
Maybe this will put an end to people claiming to not see a difference when compared to DVD.

I don't believe anybody claimed not to see any difference in image quality. Perhaps you're confusing whether there's ENOUGH difference between the two formats to warrant the $400 price tag.

I'll wait for the sub $99 barrier.
 
I don't believe anybody claimed not to see any difference in image quality. Perhaps you're confusing whether there's ENOUGH difference between the two formats to warrant the $400 price tag.

I'll wait for the sub $99 barrier.

Nope, I've seen people claim to not see ANY difference. In my opinion, $400 (which isn't an accurate reflection of the price that most people are paying for their players, by the way; I bought my PS3 for $299, and players can be had cheaper now) is a great price considering what DVD players and movies cost in 1999, and that's without factoring in inflation. As with any newer technology, initial adoption won't be huge, but for those who have the means to realize the incredible gains that Blu-ray has over DVD, it is an incredibly appealing experience.
 
Who said anything about re-buying? Now re-buying VHS to DVD sure, but DVD to HD no point. Unless it was actually recorded in HD format there is Zero reason to rebuy old DVD's. The only reason there ever was to replace a VHS collection with DVD is for size and longivity of the disks vs Magnetic media. I have well in excess of 1200 DVD's at this point, I have not re purchased anything I already owned on BRD. Instead I simply buy everything new on BRD. I can't believe people are even still bringing up this argument. Only someone who just had too much money and no common sense would replace their entire movie collection.

Concerning the price mention by bboynitrous, The link I posted (gotta copy paste since I fumbled it), was to Target's website. That price is available to anyone no matter what part of the country you live in. On that note...who the hell buys anything from bestbuy? Seriously I love to go there to look around, but I wouldn't buy anything from them. They are so badly overpriced on just about everything it is sad. If that is your sole price source for Blu-ray anything, then no wonder you think blu-ray is over priced...Seriously haven't some of you people heard of places like; Target, Walmart, Newegg and a slew of other places where you can "NOT" pay best buy like prices?

I'll have to disagree with you on this one, simply because older movies, like many of the ones released on DVD, were not, and could not have been recorded in "high definition" because they were recorded on film. There is, however, a reason to buy them again, should you so desire. Assuming the film was shot and maintained well, a good quality transfer to Blu-ray would bring a lot to the table that DVD couldn't in terms of image and sound. I've heard that the transfers of the Godfather series are incredible, but as I've not yet seen them, I can't comment on their quality.

I also buy all new releases on Blu-ray, so we've got that in common.
 
I can't see a difference between Blu-ray and broadcast TV....usually because there are tears in my eyes over spending $25+ on Blu-ray movies.

The big deal at Best Buy this week....wait for it, wait for it...2 Blu-ray movies for $50! Yay!

:(


I know there are going to be the people that are going to jump in with their "OMFG, Blu-ray movies are on $0.50 where I buy them" but the regular retail stores sell new release Blu-ray movies for $25+ and act like it is a "deal". I just want to be able to walk into my local BB/Wal-Mart/Video store and pay $15 for a new release BR movie.

Ya know, I'd like be able to walk into Wal-Mart and get a new release DVD for $15, but it doesn't happen. I'd like to know where you're shopping to go just released DVDs for $15. The average I see for new released DVDs is $18-20. BD anywhere from $25-30. When the cost to manufacture BD discs is the same or near DVD we might just see the price point equal DVD. Hollywood isn't about to loose its precious near 100% profit per movie sold.
 
Nope, I've seen people claim to not see ANY difference. In my opinion, $400 (which isn't an accurate reflection of the price that most people are paying for their players, by the way; I bought my PS3 for $299, and players can be had cheaper now) is a great price considering what DVD players and movies cost in 1999, and that's without factoring in inflation. As with any newer technology, initial adoption won't be huge, but for those who have the means to realize the incredible gains that Blu-ray has over DVD, it is an incredibly appealing experience.

Perhaps. But I believe the biggest barrier to the success of BR adoption is that the vast majority of people just don't care enough about it.

The technological advance came very quickly and the whole high definition thing can be rather complicated for anybody who hasn't submerged themselves in the technology. For most people who grew up with black and white TV's with a rabbit ear antenna and 4 viewable channels, color TV and cable/satellite is Valhalla.

One more thing - there seems to be quite a wake between what some people feel as being "blown away", "life altering" or "total transformation" viewing experience that BR technology provides. It's one thing calling people that don't care about BR as idiots. Those same idiots probably think the same thing about some chump that coughed up a huge chunk of change for high def equipment that nobody is buying.
 
I'll have to disagree with you on this one, simply because older movies, like many of the ones released on DVD, were not, and could not have been recorded in "high definition" because they were recorded on film.

Oh that is rich.

Clue phone doesn't ring much does it?
 
Perhaps. But I believe the biggest barrier to the success of BR adoption is that the vast majority of people just don't care enough about it.

The technological advance came very quickly and the whole high definition thing can be rather complicated for anybody who hasn't submerged themselves in the technology. For most people who grew up with black and white TV's with a rabbit ear antenna and 4 viewable channels, color TV and cable/satellite is Valhalla.

One more thing - there seems to be quite a wake between what some people feel as being "blown away", "life altering" or "total transformation" viewing experience that BR technology provides. It's one thing calling people that don't care about BR as idiots. Those same idiots probably think the same thing about some chump that coughed up a huge chunk of change for high def equipment that nobody is buying.

I never called anyone an idiot. If the upgrade isn't enough for you to part with the extra money (and for many, it isn't), don't buy it. HDTVs have been out for over a decade, and many people already have HDTVs, so the hardware cost is down to just the player, which can now be had for under $200. I (my parents) probably spent around $3000 for every piece (1080p projector, speakers, receiver, screen, PS3) of equipment I'm using (It all currently resides in my bedroom, but we'll eventually move it to the game room). For me, $3000 to be able to view what I want, when I want, and without the distraction of noisy people at the theater (which now costs around $10 per person in my area, and more in other areas). For me, viewing a film is an immersive experience, and absolute silence allows me to become fully absorbed by the content I'm viewing. For me, viewing at home is just a better experience.

In the 6 or so months that I've had this setup, I've watched enough movies to cover the cost of equipment and some of the movies, but the immersion is what I'm going for, not savings.

I can also play video games on it, which is fun.
 
Oh that is rich.

Clue phone doesn't ring much does it?

Apparently not, care to tell me what you're guffawing at? There is no concrete resolution to film content. A transfer can only be as good as its source material, but it is almost always good enough that a DVD transfer is as good as it can be. When you look at digital recordings, you're limited to the resolution that you recorded at, so yes, a Blu-ray release would be entirely pointless. However, the majority of films released in the late '90s and early '00s were recorded on film, and so are not limited in that way.
 
How about a simple question (I think).

Is BR worth watching on a 720p HDTV? I have a last year's model Pioneer 4270HD. It has component and HDMI inputs.
 
How about a simple question (I think).

Is BR worth watching on a 720p HDTV? I have a last year's model Pioneer 4270HD. It has component and HDMI inputs.

I would think so, especially if you plan on going to a newer set later. I've viewed some of my movies on my 720p set, and they still look fantastic.
 
I'll have to disagree with you on this one, simply because older movies, like many of the ones released on DVD, were not, and could not have been recorded in "high definition" because they were recorded on film. There is, however, a reason to buy them again, should you so desire. Assuming the film was shot and maintained well, a good quality transfer to Blu-ray would bring a lot to the table that DVD couldn't in terms of image and sound. I've heard that the transfers of the Godfather series are incredible, but as I've not yet seen them, I can't comment on their quality.

I also buy all new releases on Blu-ray, so we've got that in common.

Fair enough, though I would say that older movies like that are more the exception then the rule. On the average though there is no reason to upgrade older movies.
 
I'll have to disagree with you on this one, simply because older movies, like many of the ones released on DVD, were not, and could not have been recorded in "high definition" because they were recorded on film.

Film as a medium is analog, but if you were to put a 'resolution' to it, it's well beyond anything digital. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 million pixels or so for a top-quality 35mm frame, for example. Digital has all kinds of limitations like color reproduction, etc. that film is not plagued with in that sense because of the nature of film itself. With older film productions, a major detractor is obviously its age, but only due to the limitations of the optical visual effects used and the composites derived from them. It's nothing compared to today's superior digital visual effects and capabilities. But that doesn't mean it's going to be a better transfer on disc. I'll use 'Close Encounters' recently released on BR as an example again. IMHO it's a perfect example of how a BR disc's transfer should be. Some inevitably complained about grain, etc, but they're missing the point! You're actually seeing the FILM, not a DNR-reduced and scrubbed print to remove every semblance of detail whatsoever. The transfer reproduced everything about the film rather accurately. But modern productions look awesome too *cough* Iron Man *cough*.

Just like some of DVDs' early releases where the 3/4" tape masters for VHS were used for the DVD transfer, a print not optimized for the BR format have been used for BR transfers, unfortunately. It should be said that making a quality transfer is really an artform.

Assuming the film was shot and maintained well, a good quality transfer to Blu-ray would bring a lot to the table that DVD couldn't in terms of image and sound. I've heard that the transfers of the Godfather series are incredible, but as I've not yet seen them, I can't comment on their quality.

Correct, because a transfer can only be as good as the condition the film's elements are. Having seen it, IMHO The Godfather trilogy has NEVER looked as good as it does (including the initial release of the film) on BR, but I'm sure there will be plenty of 'Joe Schmoes' that will complain about still seeing 'grain', not understanding the nature of film and the stock used at the time of production. Of course, modern film production is going to look 'better' than a 30-year old film simply because of the nature of the technology and advancements in capabilities. And I personally am glad to see some movies these days are still, in fact, shot on FILM.
 
heh, some people don't get that even film back from the 1940's is capable of producing a great high definition picture when transferred properly to HDDVD/Blu-ray. (assuming the film was kept in good condition and was shot properly from the beginning)

I'll take film sources over digital sources any day of the week when it comes to movies in HD. Most of the digitally shot movies are ruined today because of the surreal picture they try to produce in terms of smoothness and faux grain additions.
 
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