Blu-ray player prices on the rise?
03-13-08 | 09:34 PM
#1
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Blu-ray player prices on the rise?
Read this article over at Engadget the other day, but didn't see it posted on here. Forgive me if it's a repost.
Here's the chart:
That's a sad trend. I'm not surprised though - despite the overall enthusiasm for the end of the "war", the consumer was benefiting and the lack of competition WILL affect how things move forward. Hopefully these drop again quickly but with no incentive, I wouldn't be surprised to see $400 be the price for some time to come.
Here's the chart:
That's a sad trend. I'm not surprised though - despite the overall enthusiasm for the end of the "war", the consumer was benefiting and the lack of competition WILL affect how things move forward. Hopefully these drop again quickly but with no incentive, I wouldn't be surprised to see $400 be the price for some time to come.
Last edited by Draven; 03-14-08 at 11:23 PM.
03-13-08 | 09:38 PM
#2
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Not shocked and its been discussed before. Blu-ray fans will tell you its Holiday savings while HD DVD fans will tell you its raising prices because HD DVD is dead. Pick your poison.
Sad thing is, I could have walked into Best Buy in December and purchased a Sony BDP-300/Samsung 1400/Sharp 20 player for $299 and on a good week got a few titles for free instantly and 5 free by mail. Today? $399 and nothing free with those players.
Sad thing is, I could have walked into Best Buy in December and purchased a Sony BDP-300/Samsung 1400/Sharp 20 player for $299 and on a good week got a few titles for free instantly and 5 free by mail. Today? $399 and nothing free with those players.
03-13-08 | 09:38 PM
#3
I thought the general consensus was that the recent low prices had to do with the holiday sales. That is why we saw many players around $300 or lower instead of the $400 MSRP...I could be wrong though...
03-13-08 | 10:14 PM
#4
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http://www.tvpredictions.com/philips031308.htm
Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2008) -- In January, Philips issued a press release saying its BDP7200 Blu-ray player would be released in April with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $349.
Scores of print and online publications reported on the Philips announcement, noting that it would be the lowest-priced Blu-ray player on the market -- $50 less than Sony's BDP-S300.
However, late last month, Toshiba announced that it was exiting the HD DVD business, ceding victory to its high-def disc rival, Blu-ray. Since then, no longer concerned about low-cost HD DVD players, Blu-ray makers have increased the price of their players, albeit slightly.
And Philips joined the crowd today, telling TVPredictions.com that its BDP7200 will be $399 next month -- not $349 as stated last January.
However, Philips spokeswoman Katie Bromley said the new price "was not related" to HD DVD's exit.
"(Philips) thought ($349) would be the cost at the time (in January)," she said.
However, when TVPredictions.com first asked about the new price tag, Bromley said the $349 price in the January press release was a "typo."
Bromley was then reminded that scores of publications had written about the $349 price last January -- and that Philips had never issued a correction saying the price should be $399.
After that conversation, she called TVPredictions.com back and said the $349 price was not a typo after all. Actually, she said, the price had changed sometime after it was originally set at $349.
Bromley said she did not know why Philips decided the price had to be raised to $399, but she said it definitely had nothing to do with HD DVD departing.
Scores of print and online publications reported on the Philips announcement, noting that it would be the lowest-priced Blu-ray player on the market -- $50 less than Sony's BDP-S300.
However, late last month, Toshiba announced that it was exiting the HD DVD business, ceding victory to its high-def disc rival, Blu-ray. Since then, no longer concerned about low-cost HD DVD players, Blu-ray makers have increased the price of their players, albeit slightly.
And Philips joined the crowd today, telling TVPredictions.com that its BDP7200 will be $399 next month -- not $349 as stated last January.
However, Philips spokeswoman Katie Bromley said the new price "was not related" to HD DVD's exit.
"(Philips) thought ($349) would be the cost at the time (in January)," she said.
However, when TVPredictions.com first asked about the new price tag, Bromley said the $349 price in the January press release was a "typo."
Bromley was then reminded that scores of publications had written about the $349 price last January -- and that Philips had never issued a correction saying the price should be $399.
After that conversation, she called TVPredictions.com back and said the $349 price was not a typo after all. Actually, she said, the price had changed sometime after it was originally set at $349.
Bromley said she did not know why Philips decided the price had to be raised to $399, but she said it definitely had nothing to do with HD DVD departing.
03-14-08 | 09:33 AM
#5
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frankly, the sample size is too small to derive any meaningful conclusions. this would be worth revisiting at the end of the 2008, but at this point, it hasn't been long enough to warrant an actual trend.
03-14-08 | 11:21 AM
#6
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Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
Blu-ray fans will tell you its Holiday savings
x 40596643
03-14-08 | 12:00 PM
#7
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I have noticed that the selling price for the Panasonic BD30 has increased lately. Several places are selling it for over MSRP, although it is still available at MSRP at a few places (including Panasonic's website, plus shipping charge). I haven't quite figured out what's going on but I don't much like the trend.
I sure hope that Sony sticks to the announced pricing for the S350 and S550. Otherwise this trend toward higher prices may accelerate. The Pioneer BDP-05FD is believed to be coming in May at $1000.
Edit: The Panny BD30 is still available for $420, shipped, from Buy.com. For now.
Edit2: But it's sold out!
I sure hope that Sony sticks to the announced pricing for the S350 and S550. Otherwise this trend toward higher prices may accelerate. The Pioneer BDP-05FD is believed to be coming in May at $1000.
Edit: The Panny BD30 is still available for $420, shipped, from Buy.com. For now.
Edit2: But it's sold out!
Last edited by lizard; 03-14-08 at 12:11 PM.
03-14-08 | 12:24 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by dan30oly
I'll state it once again, the ps3 isn't going up in price and it's the best selling blu-ray player there is.
03-14-08 | 12:29 PM
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I've noticed it's progressively harder and harder to find the BD30, and I'm glad I picked it up with BB had that 25% (or 20%, don't remember) coupon. I'm watching it for a friend of mine on Amazon, and it's almost like watching the Wii. It's in for a few minutes if you find it, and it's gone.
03-14-08 | 12:32 PM
#12
Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
The average person is not going to buy a video game system to watch Blu-ray movies. If they were someone needs to tell the 6-9 CEs to stop making these SA players.
03-14-08 | 12:37 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by dan30oly
Any average person is going to ask questions about a $400+ purchase, where any salesperson with half a clue would suggest a PS3 as the blu-ray player to buy (if the customer doesn't already know).
Considering stores make a couple bucks on the sale of a PS3, they should be pushing SA players instead as they can not only make a bigger profit, but sell additional cables and accessories.
03-14-08 | 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
Considering stores make a couple bucks on the sale of a PS3, they should be pushing SA players instead as they can not only make a bigger profit, but sell additional cables and accessories.
Sure, but if they sell a PS3 they can still try and sell all sorts of extra crap to go with it. Remote, extra controllers, HDMI cables, games . . . not to mention that there's the potential to get the customer to upgrade to the more expensive model, like the pimply-faced clerk at the movie theater concession stand trying to sell you an Extra-collossal-sized drink for "just $.50 more" . . .
03-14-08 | 02:20 PM
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In addition to holiday sales, other factors to consider:
1) BD winning format war leads to increased sales and thus lower stock levels in store. A lot of times, out-of-stock items aren't discounted.
2) New generation players being announced, older players discontinued. Discontinued items usual aren't discounted when they go out-of-stock.
Any momentary blip in player prices is temporary, because I sincerely doubt that the BDA, after subduing HD DVD, are going to turn around and let their format commit suicide.
Unlike the people spreading FUD on the internet, the members of the BDA actually understand some things about business. Namely, the market for a lower price player is geometrically bigger than for a more expensive one. In short, you make more money with a $1 profit on a million players than with a $100 profit on 1,000 units.
Another point, there is an absolute upper limit on sales of BD titles and that is the number of players in people's homes. The only way to increase sales of discs (and thus induce studios to release more titles and make their players more attractive) is to sell more players. There are only so many people willing to buy $500 players and only so many willing to buy a $400 player. There are many more willing to buy a $300 player and many, many more would would buy a $200 player. They folks at the BDA companies aren't stupid. They know this and they would have to be idiots to deliberately jack up the prices at this stage of the game.
1) BD winning format war leads to increased sales and thus lower stock levels in store. A lot of times, out-of-stock items aren't discounted.
2) New generation players being announced, older players discontinued. Discontinued items usual aren't discounted when they go out-of-stock.
Any momentary blip in player prices is temporary, because I sincerely doubt that the BDA, after subduing HD DVD, are going to turn around and let their format commit suicide.
Unlike the people spreading FUD on the internet, the members of the BDA actually understand some things about business. Namely, the market for a lower price player is geometrically bigger than for a more expensive one. In short, you make more money with a $1 profit on a million players than with a $100 profit on 1,000 units.
Another point, there is an absolute upper limit on sales of BD titles and that is the number of players in people's homes. The only way to increase sales of discs (and thus induce studios to release more titles and make their players more attractive) is to sell more players. There are only so many people willing to buy $500 players and only so many willing to buy a $400 player. There are many more willing to buy a $300 player and many, many more would would buy a $200 player. They folks at the BDA companies aren't stupid. They know this and they would have to be idiots to deliberately jack up the prices at this stage of the game.
03-14-08 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by aintnosin
In addition to holiday sales, other factors to consider:
1) BD winning format war leads to increased sales and thus lower stock levels in store. A lot of times, out-of-stock items aren't discounted.
2) New generation players being announced, older players discontinued. Discontinued items usual aren't discounted when they go out-of-stock.
Any momentary blip in player prices is temporary, because I sincerely doubt that the BDA, after subduing HD DVD, are going to turn around and let their format commit suicide.
Unlike the people spreading FUD on the internet, the members of the BDA actually understand some things about business. Namely, the market for a lower price player is geometrically bigger than for a more expensive one. In short, you make more money with a $1 profit on a million players than with a $100 profit on 1,000 units.
Another point, there is an absolute upper limit on sales of BD titles and that is the number of players in people's homes. The only way to increase sales of discs (and thus induce studios to release more titles and make their players more attractive) is to sell more players. There are only so many people willing to buy $500 players and only so many willing to buy a $400 player. There are many more willing to buy a $300 player and many, many more would would buy a $200 player. They folks at the BDA companies aren't stupid. They know this and they would have to be idiots to deliberately jack up the prices at this stage of the game.
1) BD winning format war leads to increased sales and thus lower stock levels in store. A lot of times, out-of-stock items aren't discounted.
2) New generation players being announced, older players discontinued. Discontinued items usual aren't discounted when they go out-of-stock.
Any momentary blip in player prices is temporary, because I sincerely doubt that the BDA, after subduing HD DVD, are going to turn around and let their format commit suicide.
Unlike the people spreading FUD on the internet, the members of the BDA actually understand some things about business. Namely, the market for a lower price player is geometrically bigger than for a more expensive one. In short, you make more money with a $1 profit on a million players than with a $100 profit on 1,000 units.
Another point, there is an absolute upper limit on sales of BD titles and that is the number of players in people's homes. The only way to increase sales of discs (and thus induce studios to release more titles and make their players more attractive) is to sell more players. There are only so many people willing to buy $500 players and only so many willing to buy a $400 player. There are many more willing to buy a $300 player and many, many more would would buy a $200 player. They folks at the BDA companies aren't stupid. They know this and they would have to be idiots to deliberately jack up the prices at this stage of the game.
Your numbered points are indeed valid, however, you seem to be missing the other factor, which is the MSRP on upcoming players. Not only are we no longer seeing the $100 off sales of existing machines, but list prices for next gen models are -- on average -- higher (however slightly) than current prices.
03-14-08 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by applesandrice
Your numbered points are indeed valid, however, you seem to be missing the other factor, which is the MSRP on upcoming players. Not only are we no longer seeing the $100 off sales of existing machines, but list prices for next gen models are -- on average -- higher (however slightly) than current prices.
03-14-08 | 07:23 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by dan30oly
I'll state it once again, the ps3 isn't going up in price and it's the best selling blu-ray player there is.
You can keep stating something that's blatantly obvious, but in the process you are also making yourself out to be completely wrong on every other single point you've made.
03-14-08 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
Is that why Phillips upped the price of their announced at CES player?
03-14-08 | 11:13 PM
#22
One thing I don't skimp on is quality when it comes to media players, so I won't be benefiting from lower prices if they do happen. However, I would expect lower prices on typical holidays, so these prices increasing aren't too hysterically insane.
However, the important prices are the Blu-ray titles themselves. For those of us thinking of hundreds of Blu-ray movies, a few bucks here and there can mean a lot. Personally, I'd like to see a chart, tracking Blu-ray titles and their prices over the last 6 months.
However, the important prices are the Blu-ray titles themselves. For those of us thinking of hundreds of Blu-ray movies, a few bucks here and there can mean a lot. Personally, I'd like to see a chart, tracking Blu-ray titles and their prices over the last 6 months.
03-15-08 | 12:04 AM
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The average person is not going to buy a video game system to watch Blu-ray movies. If they were someone needs to tell the 6-9 CEs to stop making these SA players.
where do people come up with this.
I know this in the case of myself, and 3 others i know.
all were " average" people and bought the PS3 primarily for playing blu-ray movies. the video game aspect is a nice add on.
03-15-08 | 12:59 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by lcnickell
where do people come up with this.
I know this in the case of myself, and 3 others i know.
all were " average" people and bought the PS3 primarily for playing blu-ray movies. the video game aspect is a nice add on.
I know this in the case of myself, and 3 others i know.
all were " average" people and bought the PS3 primarily for playing blu-ray movies. the video game aspect is a nice add on.
Today, as in right now, it makes sense to buy a PS3 if you want to watch Blu-rays. Its guaranteed to be 2.0, it loads discs fast, and it plays every movie made. ALL current players can not, and will not, be upgradable to 2.0. Period. Many have issues with movies taking minutes to load, some don't even load them, some take weeks to play a new release because they need a firmware update. Once 2.0 players are the norm, people will not be buying PS3s as their primary Blu-ray player. As soon as I can get one, I'm dumping the PS3 as I have no interest in the games on the system.
03-15-08 | 01:10 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by aintnosin
Not especially. They seem to be right in the same range ($400-600, mostly), but since none of them are for sale, we don't have "street prices" to compare anyway.
If Sony raises the MSRP for the S350 and S550, that will be proof positive that player prices are on the rise (for now), IMHO. It will also be interesting to see how Panasonic prices the BD50, which may be out any day now as the first full-featured Blu-ray Disc player.