Report: Blu-ray prices going up, not down
Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:01AM EDT
See Comments (63)
Now that HD DVD's on the way out, it looks like Blu-ray manufacturers and retailers are feeling free to jack up prices. Meanwhile, prices for HD DVD decks and combo players are plummeting.
Take, for example, Sony's entry-level BDP-S300, a Blu-ray player that doesn't even have the latest Blu-ray profile (it's stuck with the bare-bones 1.0 spec). Back in December, the S300 (which originally sold for a whopping $600) actually fell to about $270 on Amazon; now, according to TG Daily, average prices for the player have swelled to $403.
Then there's Samsung's BD-P1400, one of the first Blu-ray players to sink below $400. On January 10, the P1400 skimmed the $300 mark, according to TG Daily; now it's back up to an average price of $374.
Meanwhile, prices for HD DVD decks have, unsurprisingly, been tumbling. Toshiba's mid-range, 1080p-capable HD-A30, which originally sold for $400, began the year with an average price of $254; now, it's selling for a mere $134, TG Daily reports. The entry-level HD-A3 1080i player can be had for a song: just $101, on average.
Also, combo Blu-ray/HD DVD players have been showing steep price drops. As I noted in a previous post, the Samsung BD-UP5000, originally listed north of $1,000, is on sale for about $500, while TG Daily has the average price for the LG BH200 pegged at $699, down from its original $999.
So, what's going on here? Didn't Sony just promise that we'd be seeing $200 Blu-ray players by next year? Maybe so, but as Chris pointed out in his post, Sony and the Blu-ray Disc Association are holding out on licensing Blu-ray technology to Chinese manufacturers, who'd more than likely flood the market with cheap (or cheaper, at any rate) players.
Well, we wouldn't want that, now—would we?
Related:
Pricewatch: HD DVD in free fall, Blu-ray continues upward trend [TG Daily]
Format War Pricing Aftermath: Blu-ray Up, HD-DVD Down [Audioholics]
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Comments on Report: Blu-ray prices going up, not down
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47 Posted by ivanfred on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse
I have a PS3 and enjoy using it watch movies. DVD's do look a lot better when upscaled, and Blu-Ray movies look great. It is just a shame that prices for the movies are still kind of steep.
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48 Posted by mcardwell2005 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:13PM EDT Report Abuse
It would be best if people that don't know crap about video games not post on this site. If your getting your info from this site you are so lame.
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49 Posted by subwayjack on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:46PM EDT Report Abuse
Sony is proprietary - what does that mean - they want to control what they offer - without competition - this means monopoly - which leads to higher prices for consumers and retailers! This also means that without competition - advancements in technology will not be funded or considered by Sony - unless they get their licensing fees from manufacturers - which will also have higher costs. The HD - DVD format was good, as good as VHS or S-VHS was compared to BETA which was Sony's format in the tape wars that Sony lost and the consumers benefitted from. I thought and hoped Blu-Ray would lose also because of the potential to harm the consumer market. I failed to consider something - Sony has grown as a giant through other industries and became aware of why they lost the Beta-VHS war, MONEY - they are probably now paying and offering profit incentives to the Studios who backed the Blu-Ray format. What does all this mean? Higher prices for you the consumer. Higher profits for Sony and it's subsidiaries. A loss for all everything American. Sony will now be able to buy up small companies, force their competitors out of the market, and you, the consumer will be forced to be a participant. I like some Sony products, but they should have to compete like all other companies do in a free market economy. Before you know it, Sony will have complete control over the entertainment industry. Popcorn will be $1.00 per kernel and butter will be extra.
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50 Posted by subwayjack on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:46PM EDT Report Abuse
Sony is proprietary - what does that mean - they want to control what they offer - without competition - this means monopoly - which leads to higher prices for consumers and retailers! This also means that without competition - advancements in technology will not be funded or considered by Sony - unless they get their licensing fees from manufacturers - which will also have higher costs. The HD - DVD format was good, as good as VHS or S-VHS was compared to BETA which was Sony's format in the tape wars that Sony lost and the consumers benefitted from. I thought and hoped Blu-Ray would lose also because of the potential to harm the consumer market. I failed to consider something - Sony has grown as a giant through other industries and became aware of why they lost the Beta-VHS war, MONEY - they are probably now paying and offering profit incentives to the Studios who backed the Blu-Ray format. What does all this mean? Higher prices for you the consumer. Higher profits for Sony and it's subsidiaries. A loss for all everything American. Sony will now be able to buy up small companies, force their competitors out of the market, and you, the consumer will be forced to be a participant. I like some Sony products, but they should have to compete like all other companies do in a free market economy. Before you know it, Sony will have complete control over the entertainment industry. Popcorn will be $1.00 per kernel and butter will be extra.
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51 Posted by cliff_good on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse
To poster of number 42 davingambill, I could not have said it better myself. It's nice to see you on here too captgreedle(I'm darkpoet25 on blu-ray.com). As far as other players becoming profile 2.0, both Sony and Panasonic will be releasing players in the summer and fall of this year which will be profile 2.0 compatible. As for prices being too high, does anyone not remember how much DVD players were when they first came out and how much the movies were too? They were right around the same prices as Blu Ray is now. Have patience and as more time goes on the prices will begin to drop. I agree with others who have stated it is the stores who are gouging us consumers on the prices of both software AND hardware. If price is a major concern for some try using either amazon or ebay. NO Sony is not the only company making Blu Ray technology either as the BDA is made up of around 20 different companies. Yes there is a BIG difference in the quality, both PQ and AQ over standard dvd's and an upconverted movie is no where near the quality of watching a high def movie the way it was intended, in full 1080p glory.
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52 Posted by ohace84 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse
Quite frankly I hope it(Blu-Ray)disappears. If you are going to all that trouble of higher quality & putting it on the same highly damagable format that makes no sense. The industry is helping no one including themselves. Have you seen the Blu-Ray section in you electronics store? Have you seen anyone looking at it? Highly unlikely. So what should happen? The industry needs to come out with something similar to the mini disc. Some thing more scratch & skip proof. A lot of people stay away from rental stores because you can rarely get a DVD that doesn't skip. It's worse than VHS trying to view a good copy. I know I stayed away for quite a while. The industry tries to claim it's value by saying it has endless value because you can watch it anytime you want forever. Well that's what they said when DVD's first came out. Well forever's time is up as it's format change time again. (beta, VHS, Mini Disc, DVD, now Blu-Ray, what next?) From what I have read the first $200 player was supposed to be out after April sounds like that has changed. How many times do you think people really watch these thigs anyway? A lot less than you think. The more the industry messes around the more disgruntled the public gets. People are getting more & more frustrated at the rising cost of everything. So what do you think is going to be one of the first things to get passed over? I can bet a $30 Blue-Ray is going to be in the top 3. A lot of people I know are dropping cable. A good choice TV is advancing even less than radio at this point. To top it all off they are currently selling second rate equipment further ripping the public off. How do you expect to keep you customers when you are ripping them off royal! Why are the new players not available today? Not next week or next month, TODAY! Well we don't have enough supply cries the industry. Even though it never stopped them with the lastest video game units did it? It's all just WRONG!
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53 Posted by ohace84 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse
Best Buy does not support their customers or their vendors. Inside the Monster Cables I bought were 5 coupons for select Blu-Rays. I went to the store they didn't even stock 12 of the near 30 titles on the coupons. I contaccted Best buy via email to this respose: I am Rhodora with Best Buy Customer Care. I understand you want the coupon your received in purchasing Blu-ray disc movies. At Best Buy, it is our goal to provide our customers with the highest level of service, convenience, selection and value. We strive to make each experience you have with us positive and as fun as possible. We are really disappointed if we do not live up to that expectation. We value receiving your comments so we may use this feedback to improve the shopping and service experience for all our customers. BestBuy.com and Best Buy store are two different entities under one Corporate Organization. We have different inventory for the item. We do not have access to store inventories, promotions and special events. In other words we really don't care! After contacting Monster, two weeks later I got a phone number to call.
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54 Posted by cliff_good on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse
ohace84 the Blu Ray discs are scratchproof. They are coated with a protective layer that makes it easy to clean them, unlike DVD. I own many Blu Ray's myself and have watched them numerous times. When I go to a Best Buy or Fry's I always see more than a couple of people looking in the Blu Ray section. Why so bitter? If you do not choose to buy into Blu Ray that's fine, but why condemn people for wanting to buy it for themselves? Are you upset that hd dvd lost the format war?
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55 Posted by ohace84 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse
I agree with beachklb most people don't even know what Blu-Ray discs are. I also agree with what war? No one even knew it was going on bcause they didn't even know what Hd DVD & Blue-Ray were. My local Best Buy didn't even get HD discs till it was too late. Like I said in my othe post WHAT DEMAND? I hit Best Buy almost weekly & I never see anyone looking at the Blu-Rays Discs. I sure won't be buying any until they get under $20 where they should be after all. Especillay since I didn't get to use my coupons (see other post).
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56 Posted by ohace84 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse
Thanks cliff I didn't know that. Not really bitter sick of format changes, being lied to & ripped off, aren't you? What other industry teats it's customers so poorly? If you can afford Blu-Ray more power to you just remember a new format will be out next week! Hahaha! I've had several people ask me recently what is Blu-Ray? I thought it kinda funny because of all the money spent on advertising & still millions have no clue. I used to work at a "music" store before they all disappeared into the superstores of today. So I got to hear the public complain about the industry daily. You know prices will never come down to the $19.99 level of today & why shouldn't they. They are no more than the "current" format which makes them no better than anything else.
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57 Posted by cliff_good on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse
Actually I'm not that upset at all ohace. Technology is always advancing and evolving, I mean look at the computer industry. I think it is different with regards to home media however. I like that I get to see my favorite movies in full High Def and get to still watch my 130+ dvd's on my PS3. I agree with you that the public needs to be more edcuated about Blu Ray and it's benefits. The prices will go down as the year continues, but I feel the BDA needs to do more about consumer education. Blu Ray could very well be around as long as DVD has, and if you are patient you will see both software and hardware prices steadily go down as the year goes on.
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58 Posted by member711 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:16PM EDT Report Abuse
Sony is going to vacuum alI of your money out of your pockets. I won't buy anything sony after the DRM rootkit fiasco. This is how they treat their customers. "Sony Rootkit opens the floodgate for super adware / malware / viruses by providing simple means to virus authors to hide their virus software in a way which cannot be detected by any anti-virus programs." Sony is also the only corporation that is still holding out for DRM. Sony doesn't want YOU to own their product, Sony wants to own you. good luck sheeple.
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59 Posted by yes19612003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:56PM EDT Report Abuse
Typical large corporation go ahead & stick to the consumer because we'll let them by keep paying inflated prices because we have to have it now!!!!!!!!!
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60 Posted by coletaratoot on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse
Of course these prices will be higher compared to December prices. Retailers and manufacturers mark down prices for the Christmas shopping season.
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61 Posted by tiredoldman1954 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:11PM EDT Report Abuse
Yes, It's a real shame that we are subjected to having to use the poorer quality Blu-Ray format. But, that has been decided for us. NOW we must pay the piper whatever they want if we want to watch the new Blu-Ray format.. Now listen to folks scream and cry about the high prices for those units. Thats what happens when you only have one choice of formats. I just guess my days of buying movies are over with when I can't get anymore DVD's. Because I sure ain't going to pay those high prices for those players.
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62 Posted by yuniversal3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:58PM EDT Report Abuse
Well, I'm old school and have a bit more patience. I grew up when all tv's were black and white. When color come out some people ran right our and bought one, but most waited until they became affordable. I find the basic movies just nice as they are, but will upgrade to blu-ray when the price is right and there's more selection. Disregard all the hype and wait. PS, I still enjoy old b&w movies
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63 Posted by corintonic on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:29PM EDT Report Abuse
WOW! Surprise to see all the hate for Toshiba, do some of this people remember that bmg/sony put spy ware on cd's? Don't you remember? How is it that you have to spend such a huge amount of money on a freaking dvd player!!! come on people I used to love Sony, I have 2 home theater in a box which I paid more than $800.00 for the design and sound quality, well they have been taking to the place I bought it to have them fix, I do not trust sony and will wait until all the suckers spend their hard earn money and prices really come down, I have enough HD channels to keep me entertained, but it is not a shame that you must pay so much money for the tv, the hdmi cable and then pay more money for hd, the companies are always making us suckers for new technology . I am refusing to participate in their game..
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46 Posted by yag2j on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:54PM EDT Report Abuse
Well said davingambill, I agree 100% and you're probably right about the author of this article he probably does get a paycheck from a microsoft backed company to spew this crap.