Be On the Lookout for Blu Ray Player Deals
#1
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Be On the Lookout for Blu Ray Player Deals
Sounds like patience may be a good thing for those looking for affordable blu ray player prices?
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/hig...-falling-13582
Independent analyst Rob Enderle said the declining prices underscored consumer’s tepid response to Blu-ray, a frame of mind he said won’t improve with the bleak economic headlines.
“There are increasing concerns that this holiday season will be [retail’s] last real shot with Blu-ray,” Enderle said. “No one wants to be stuck with inventory. We are likely to see several vendors purge inventory before the quarter is done.”
“There are increasing concerns that this holiday season will be [retail’s] last real shot with Blu-ray,” Enderle said. “No one wants to be stuck with inventory. We are likely to see several vendors purge inventory before the quarter is done.”
#2
That makes it sound like if Blu-ray doesn't sell well this holiday season it's done for.
Which is a joke. No one will want to go back to standard DVD after experiencing Blu-ray. People just need more time to cross over.
Which is a joke. No one will want to go back to standard DVD after experiencing Blu-ray. People just need more time to cross over.
#3
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To be fair "no one" is a very, very small amount of people. The majority of people still buy DVD. I would never go back to DVD (purchashing) if BD died besides a few small select titles.
#5
DVD Talk Godfather
Can't imagine this holiday season being the turning point between life or death. But i'm going to need a new player when i move in November, so if it means continued drops in player prices, cool beans
#6
DVD Talk Legend
I would agree that this year without the format war, and the extra added year to build interest, retailers I'm sure were hoping for a banner year for Blu Ray players. Whether the economy is a cause or an effect remains to be seen however either way, retailers just haven't seen the massive switch to Blu they were expecting after the demise of HDDVD. Now with the economy in the toilet (laid off for the second time this year) I'm sure sales will be tepid at best. I'm in total agreement that the failure of Blu to light up the register this Christmas in no means manufacturers will give up on the format. Even with discounting, there is just more room to play with on $200 - $300 BD machines than $40 - $80 upconverting machines.
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Ah yes. Attack the messenger. Classic.
All year, all we heard was "Wait for this holiday season!" Now everyone is hedging their bets. If BD fails to move some units, you will see those Walmart sections reduce. You may see those low-end hardware players bow out. BD may very well fall victim to a bad economic cycle.
However, prices are dropping. PS3 is rumored to be getting a price drop in the coming weeks.
I agree with the sentiment that this is the make it or break it year for BD. This is the format's shot at the mainstream.
All year, all we heard was "Wait for this holiday season!" Now everyone is hedging their bets. If BD fails to move some units, you will see those Walmart sections reduce. You may see those low-end hardware players bow out. BD may very well fall victim to a bad economic cycle.
However, prices are dropping. PS3 is rumored to be getting a price drop in the coming weeks.
I agree with the sentiment that this is the make it or break it year for BD. This is the format's shot at the mainstream.
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In this specific case the messenger has been equivalent of the message. A little research on what the messenger has predicted in the past quickly reveals so.
Will or may which one is it?
Very good. Another point we do not need to debate. We will simply have to comment on your prediction a year from now. And in case it might be unclear to you or anyone else my stance on the article is that it is completely off: Blu-ray hardware and software will sell well this Christmas and we will see even better numbers in 2009.
Pro-B
All year, all we heard was "Wait for this holiday season!" Now everyone is hedging their bets. If BD fails to move some units, you will see those Walmart sections reduce. You may see those low-end hardware players bow out. BD may very well fall victim to a bad economic cycle.
Pro-B
Last edited by pro-bassoonist; 09-26-08 at 02:47 PM.
#11
That is only half true. If it fails during the holidays, then I guess it would seem like that, but if it succeeds, it would make 2009 the year when we'll really see what's happening.
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I'm skeptical that more time is the answer. I think the added cost of Blu-ray media is the main obstacle.
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All this makes me laugh. Whether you preferred HD DVD or Blu-Ray, you have to admit that the drops in prices of the HD DVD players were the right move. Toshiba knew that in order to get the majority of people into a product, they must have lower prices. That's why they let Wal-Mart out with these $99 A2's. They were hoping to get people to buy into HD DVD. It probably would have worked had they had a lot more software to back them up (not to mention more time to see if this plan would succeed). A lot of people jumped in HD DVD when the prices came down. Then they were stuck with a limited amount of movies to watch. The majority of the big movies were being released on Blu Ray. You had a select few, such as Transformers and Bourne Ultimatum, but that was about it. Imagine if it was this year. They would have had Iron Man, Indy 4, Kung Fu Panda, Incredible Hulk, Tropic Thunder and Mummy 3 (just a partial list of the Paramount and Universal titles that made it in the top 20 this year). And since Batman Begins was only released on HD DVD, there would have been a chance that the same would have been for Dark Knight. Last year BR had the luck of having the Sony, Fox and Disney titles that were huge last year where Paramount, Dreamworks, and Universal didn't have many huge titles that were selling. That, on top of HD DVD being late in having good B1G1 sales on their movies, eventually led to BR selling more titles. Now we're stuck without HD DVD, and a format that is too expensive for the majority of people to get into.
With that said, I see BR player prices dropping. Granted they are mostly not profile 2.0, but they are dropping. They still have a way to go, but as has been mentioned many times before, previous formats have taken a few years to get down to the right price. It's just that everyone blamed HD DVD for BR not taking off, and expected BR to take off after HD DVD went away, but it hasn't. Had there not been a format war, would that given BR any more of an advantage by this point? Who knows? I mostly agree with the format war causing their to be a little competition and getting both sides to step up. We probably wouldn't have many of the features that BR is giving us, now, (at least through 2.0) had HD DVD not offered them first. And now people expect BR to fail if they don't get the prices down this year as HD DVD tried to do last year. Of course, I'm all for it. I'm sitting on an Enchanted Blu Ray (after using the $10 coupon in my DVD to get it for $15) because I really wanted it for when I got a Blu Ray player, and the coupon made it a good price being that Disney rarely marks their movies down much. Now I'm just waiting for an affordable Blu Ray player so I can play it along with other movies I want. I'm really having a hard time now, though, because I want to pick up Iron Man and other movies coming out in the next couple of months, but I don't see any reason to buy the DVD when I'll be wanting the BR in the next year or so. So if Blu Ray players come down to a decent price this holiday season, I might have to break down and get one. Right now, I'm not even sure if I'm worried about 2.0 since I don't have a great sound system, and I'm at a place where I can't hook it up to the internet, anyway (my internet is included where I live and they only give me one jack and won't let me hook a router up). Plus I don't know how many of those features I really care about, anyway. I guess it all depends on how much the players come down. But I know for sure I'll be out there if they drop one down to $100, even if it isn't 2.0. I'd be very surprised if it happened, but I would be there if it does.
With that said, I see BR player prices dropping. Granted they are mostly not profile 2.0, but they are dropping. They still have a way to go, but as has been mentioned many times before, previous formats have taken a few years to get down to the right price. It's just that everyone blamed HD DVD for BR not taking off, and expected BR to take off after HD DVD went away, but it hasn't. Had there not been a format war, would that given BR any more of an advantage by this point? Who knows? I mostly agree with the format war causing their to be a little competition and getting both sides to step up. We probably wouldn't have many of the features that BR is giving us, now, (at least through 2.0) had HD DVD not offered them first. And now people expect BR to fail if they don't get the prices down this year as HD DVD tried to do last year. Of course, I'm all for it. I'm sitting on an Enchanted Blu Ray (after using the $10 coupon in my DVD to get it for $15) because I really wanted it for when I got a Blu Ray player, and the coupon made it a good price being that Disney rarely marks their movies down much. Now I'm just waiting for an affordable Blu Ray player so I can play it along with other movies I want. I'm really having a hard time now, though, because I want to pick up Iron Man and other movies coming out in the next couple of months, but I don't see any reason to buy the DVD when I'll be wanting the BR in the next year or so. So if Blu Ray players come down to a decent price this holiday season, I might have to break down and get one. Right now, I'm not even sure if I'm worried about 2.0 since I don't have a great sound system, and I'm at a place where I can't hook it up to the internet, anyway (my internet is included where I live and they only give me one jack and won't let me hook a router up). Plus I don't know how many of those features I really care about, anyway. I guess it all depends on how much the players come down. But I know for sure I'll be out there if they drop one down to $100, even if it isn't 2.0. I'd be very surprised if it happened, but I would be there if it does.
#15
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Blu-Ray players may indeed drop to $100-200 this Holiday season, but the studio pricing for individual Blu-Ray movies is a joke, and a losing proposition in these tight economic times. A vast majority of consumers out there are more concerned with making their mortgage payment, car payment, day care payment, etc...let alone worrying about whether their job is secure.
A $25-35 Blu-Ray title, for most, is a luxury. If the studios think this format can survive at these price points, they are sadly mistaken.
#16
DVD Talk Legend
For what its worth, I'm theoretically in the market for a Blu-Ray player and have been looking at both a standalone player as well as a PS3. However, whenever I see the prices ($20-35 per title not including a sale like Amazon has from time to time) for a particular title of interest, I shake my head and walk away.
Blu-Ray players may indeed drop to $100-200 this Holiday season, but the studio pricing for individual Blu-Ray movies is a joke, and a losing proposition in these tight economic times. A vast majority of consumers out there are more concerned with making their mortgage payment, car payment, day care payment, etc...let alone worrying about whether their job is secure.
A $25-35 Blu-Ray title, for most, is a luxury. If the studios think this format can survive at these price points, they are sadly mistaken.
Blu-Ray players may indeed drop to $100-200 this Holiday season, but the studio pricing for individual Blu-Ray movies is a joke, and a losing proposition in these tight economic times. A vast majority of consumers out there are more concerned with making their mortgage payment, car payment, day care payment, etc...let alone worrying about whether their job is secure.
A $25-35 Blu-Ray title, for most, is a luxury. If the studios think this format can survive at these price points, they are sadly mistaken.
#17
DVD Talk Gold Edition
for what its worth, i'm theoretically in the market for a blu-ray player and have been looking at both a standalone player as well as a ps3. However, whenever i see the prices ($20-35 per title not including a sale like amazon has from time to time) for a particular title of interest, i shake my head and walk away.
Blu-ray players may indeed drop to $100-200 this holiday season, but the studio pricing for individual blu-ray movies is a joke, and a losing proposition in these tight economic times. A vast majority of consumers out there are more concerned with making their mortgage payment, car payment, day care payment, etc...let alone worrying about whether their job is secure.
A $25-35 blu-ray title, for most, is a luxury. If the studios think this format can survive at these price points, they are sadly mistaken.
Blu-ray players may indeed drop to $100-200 this holiday season, but the studio pricing for individual blu-ray movies is a joke, and a losing proposition in these tight economic times. A vast majority of consumers out there are more concerned with making their mortgage payment, car payment, day care payment, etc...let alone worrying about whether their job is secure.
A $25-35 blu-ray title, for most, is a luxury. If the studios think this format can survive at these price points, they are sadly mistaken.
#18
DVD Talk Reviewer
I don't agree that this is a make it or break it year at all, it's not just blu-rays being affected by the economy, it's everything. Blu-ray penetration is getting better all the time, and the selection of discs is really nice already, and it's only going to continue to get better. More and more people still have to update their tv's at home, and they'll fall into the blu-ray market more and more as well. Blu-ray isn't going anywhere, anytime soon.
I, look forward to buying my first stand-alone player as soon as it's out... and I'm speaking of the Oppo.
I, look forward to buying my first stand-alone player as soon as it's out... and I'm speaking of the Oppo.
#19
For what its worth, I'm theoretically in the market for a Blu-Ray player and have been looking at both a standalone player as well as a PS3. However, whenever I see the prices ($20-35 per title not including a sale like Amazon has from time to time) for a particular title of interest, I shake my head and walk away.
Blu-Ray players may indeed drop to $100-200 this Holiday season, but the studio pricing for individual Blu-Ray movies is a joke, and a losing proposition in these tight economic times. A vast majority of consumers out there are more concerned with making their mortgage payment, car payment, day care payment, etc...let alone worrying about whether their job is secure.
A $25-35 Blu-Ray title, for most, is a luxury. If the studios think this format can survive at these price points, they are sadly mistaken.
Blu-Ray players may indeed drop to $100-200 this Holiday season, but the studio pricing for individual Blu-Ray movies is a joke, and a losing proposition in these tight economic times. A vast majority of consumers out there are more concerned with making their mortgage payment, car payment, day care payment, etc...let alone worrying about whether their job is secure.
A $25-35 Blu-Ray title, for most, is a luxury. If the studios think this format can survive at these price points, they are sadly mistaken.
Prices will eventually drop. They always do. And when they do drop people will be ready and waiting to purchase their Blu-ray players and HDTV's.
#20
DVD Talk Legend
I think time WILL improve sales. But I base it on the February 29 digital TV switchover. Although people can get converter boxes, I feel many US homes will instead opt to upgrade to HDTV's this holiday season. And if they have a brand spankin' new HDTV, why not get a HD player!
But I should add that I'm anti-Blu. I bought into HD-DVD and own over 125 titles (mainly from clearance prices). If any store sells a BR player for $100, I'll jump on it, just so I can get titles I can't get on HD-DVD. But if BR fails, I won't shed a tear. However, I really don't think it will fail...
But I should add that I'm anti-Blu. I bought into HD-DVD and own over 125 titles (mainly from clearance prices). If any store sells a BR player for $100, I'll jump on it, just so I can get titles I can't get on HD-DVD. But if BR fails, I won't shed a tear. However, I really don't think it will fail...
Last edited by kenbenobi; 09-26-08 at 07:45 PM.
#21
Suspended
I think time WILL improve sales. But I base it on the February 29 digital TV switchover. Although people can get converter boxes, I feel many US homes will instead opt to upgrade to HDTV's this holiday season. And if they have a brand spankin' new HDTV, why not get a HD player!
But I should add that I'm anti-Blu. I bought into HD-DVD and own over 125 titles (mainly from clearance prices). If any store sells a BR player for $100, I'll jump on it, just so I can get titles I can't get on HD-DVD. But if BR fails, I won't shed a tear. However, I really don't think it will fail...
But I should add that I'm anti-Blu. I bought into HD-DVD and own over 125 titles (mainly from clearance prices). If any store sells a BR player for $100, I'll jump on it, just so I can get titles I can't get on HD-DVD. But if BR fails, I won't shed a tear. However, I really don't think it will fail...
#22
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The switchover won't make much of a difference. If people were holding out getting a HDTV until that point, I don't see them spending the extra $200 on a BD player and $20+ on discs. Unless thy are given a free player (and even then, who says they will buy discs), the switchover won't even have an affect on BD SA or Disc sales.[/QUOTE]
I agree. This is the most overplayed aspect of all of this. I also disagree that most people will be buying new sets. MOST people have nothing to worry about since they are getting the signal from cable or satellite and they need nothing new. It is only the OTA people who will be affected by this.
I don't think that a bad showing this year will mark the end of the format. I think it will relegate it to niche status, much like LD (and as I have been saying for years, that is not a bad thing).
I also agree that there are issues with the prices of media if they want to be mainstream. I really think that the studios are trying to close the barn doors after the horses are out. They have conditioned the public to expect things to eventually hit the sub-$10 mark pretty fast. I know it took DVD a long time to get there, but there were no sub-$10 bins full of VHS next to $30 versions of the same film.
I agree. This is the most overplayed aspect of all of this. I also disagree that most people will be buying new sets. MOST people have nothing to worry about since they are getting the signal from cable or satellite and they need nothing new. It is only the OTA people who will be affected by this.
Originally Posted by JimRochester
Although I'll agree with much of what was said, LD's made it at 3 times the price 20 years ago. Although it never made it beyond a niche market, it sold enough to be viable.
I also agree that there are issues with the prices of media if they want to be mainstream. I really think that the studios are trying to close the barn doors after the horses are out. They have conditioned the public to expect things to eventually hit the sub-$10 mark pretty fast. I know it took DVD a long time to get there, but there were no sub-$10 bins full of VHS next to $30 versions of the same film.
#23
DVD Talk Godfather
Blu-Ray players may indeed drop to $100-200 this Holiday season, but the studio pricing for individual Blu-Ray movies is a joke, and a losing proposition in these tight economic times. A vast majority of consumers out there are more concerned with making their mortgage payment, car payment, day care payment, etc...let alone worrying about whether their job is secure.
A $25-35 Blu-Ray title, for most, is a luxury. If the studios think this format can survive at these price points, they are sadly mistaken.
This doesn't amount to a hill of beans. If a regular consumer can't walk into any store and get a decent deal on a movie they want, the format will never succeed.
Last edited by Michael Corvin; 09-27-08 at 07:19 AM.
#25
Ah yes. Attack the messenger. Classic.
All year, all we heard was "Wait for this holiday season!" Now everyone is hedging their bets. If BD fails to move some units, you will see those Walmart sections reduce. You may see those low-end hardware players bow out. BD may very well fall victim to a bad economic cycle.
However, prices are dropping. PS3 is rumored to be getting a price drop in the coming weeks.
I agree with the sentiment that this is the make it or break it year for BD. This is the format's shot at the mainstream.
All year, all we heard was "Wait for this holiday season!" Now everyone is hedging their bets. If BD fails to move some units, you will see those Walmart sections reduce. You may see those low-end hardware players bow out. BD may very well fall victim to a bad economic cycle.
However, prices are dropping. PS3 is rumored to be getting a price drop in the coming weeks.
I agree with the sentiment that this is the make it or break it year for BD. This is the format's shot at the mainstream.
BD does need a strong Christmas going in to 2009 and I think it will be strong. The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Transformers, Indy 4, Wall-E, and others will be strong sellers throughout the year. Player prices are falling. Hopefully they reach the $200 price point on a consistent basis next year.