Blu-ray Player Prices Hit 2008 Highs As Competition Dwindles

[macjr82]

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/03/...tion_dwindles/

Ironically, although Blu-ray has been declared the winner, it is right now about the worst time to invest in a standalone Blu-ray player, because of the high prices and looming obsolescence.

Doesn't mean much as the PS3 is the top BD player as fas marketshare, bar none, and arguably tops in performance I just found it interesting as this is what many people argued would happened, while others countered it wouldn't as they'd still have to compete with dvd.

[mrspeakers]

In Jan, Fry's had BD30s for $369. The DAY AFTER Warner announced the price cut, Fry's jumped it to $499. They refused to honor the old price, even though I was unable to buy because they had no inventory for a month.

Needless to say, I spent my $ on a BD30 at Costco; more than $369, but I'll be damned if I'll shop at Frys after a stunt like that.

[macjr82]

Isn't Fry's like best Buy in Canada or something?

[mrspeakers]

Fry's is a huge warehouse-style place for PCs, electronics, and entertainment products. It's kind of like a cross between Best Buy and Costco.

[familiar realm]

I welcomed the competition between the two formats. That is one reasons why prices got slashed so fast and we can't forget all those BOGOs which have basically disappeared.

[andunn28]

I already own a PS3 and an HD DVD player, but I can understand why some people are hesitant and won't buy a Blu Ray player until they come down in price.

[bluskiessmingatme]

Fry's is a huge warehouse-style place for PCs, electronics, and entertainment products. It's kind of like a cross between Best Buy and Costco.

It is in the United States. We have a bunch of them here in Los Angeles. And their sales people...well, how do I say this...for knowledge and helpfulness, they are on a par with Best Buy sales staff.

[Scoob]

I hope this trend doesn't continue. I hope that the new Samsung (1500) and Philips player (both MSRP of 399$) can help bring the prices down. I suppose the new Panny (BD 50) will be $599???? This won't help adoption.

[HD 335]

Honestly, any movie player over $300 is expensive for J6P to buy.

[macjr82]

there are no fry's on the East Coast

Honestly, any movie player over $300 is expensive for J6P to buy.

Haven't you heard J6P is in retirement, it's Joe Walmart (JW) now-a-days

[mmmmDoNut]

there are no fry's on the East Coast

Got two here in GA.

[Solstice X]

We have them too in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

[ccphilly1984]

Honestly, any movie player over $300 is expensive for J6P to buy.

and jjd (joey jack daniels) has to spend more for his shit, so he won't pay over 150 for an HD player with 5 free movies.

[macjr82]

Got two here in GA.

GA's not on the east coast, it's in the South. though if u look at heir locations, it's funny it's in Georgia, as it is no where else in the eastern US.

http://shop3.outpost.com/ac/storeloc...JWD9XQ**.node2

[oxbladder]

The low end PS3 will always moderate the price of the other players. Said this on many other forums the losers are the consumers Blu won with high prices and there is now zero incentive for them to drop the price and continue to lose money. With no incentive to drop the prices the format will take a hit. It is a critical time for Blu and seeing as it is a Sony product and Sony has been completely unable to show in the past 15 years it has learned anything don't look for blu to be the up and coming replacement for DVDs. It is a niche market and it will stay that way ... Warner made sure of that.

As for complaining about people who don't want to spend over $200-$300 for a player ... they are the majority out there. When I have been in the electronics stores I have not seen one single person buy a standalone BD player. Not one.