Since Blu-ray became the next generation movie disc format of choice, the consumer supposedly has been better off. But Tom’s Hardware claims that prices of Blu-ray players are higher than ever and that now, in fact, is the worst time to buy.
Interesting. I’ve been tracking Blu-ray vs. HD DVD player pricing for the past year via Amazon and hadn’t noticed any recent increases. As of today, the Blu-ray players on Amazon are priced in the same range they’ve always been: the mid to high $300’s. Right now the cheapest Blu-ray player on Amazon is this Samsung for $357. I’ve seen it $20 cheaper, but I’ve also seen it more expensive.
The truth is, of course, that until Blu-ray players fall well below $300 (which I haven’t seen on Amazon), there’s no point in buying anything but the Sony Playstation 3. It’s $400 and has Blu-ray included. And HD DVD players are now the same price as upconvert DVD players. Amazon has this HD DVD player for $79 (via the TigerDirect link on the right).
Meanwhile, Aaron Greenberg, group product manager for Xbox 360, today seemed to squash any rumors of Microsoft working on a Blu-ray add-on for the Xbox 360:
“Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience… We’re the only console offering digital distribution of entertainment content.”
So there you have it. Since Blu-ray won the next gen movie disc war: Blu-ray prices aren’t coming down, HD DVD players are the new upconvert DVD, and digital distribution seems to be where Microsoft is headed. More coverage and opinions via Techmeme.
I wouldn’t buy any Blu-ray player (except maybe a PS3) until they are all BD-Live (aka Profile 2.0) capable and cost less than $300.
No one is going to be coming out with any more movies on HD DVD, though, so it'd be a complete waste of money no matter how cheap they are. Besides, we'll see prices drop more and more as new models are released and as we get closer to the holiday season.
But it wouldn't be a complete waste of money… The point is, if an HD DVD player is the same quality (if not better) and same price as compared to upconverting regulard DVD players, then why not spring for the HD and enjoy that extra bonus with the movies that are out in that format?
But it wouldn't be a complete waste of money… The point is, if an HD DVD player is the same quality (if not better) and same price as compared to upconverting regulard DVD players, then why not spring for the HD and enjoy that extra bonus with the movies that are out in that format?