Sony announces $599 Blu-ray player

Greg Kettell · 02-26-2007, 01:41 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/...u_ray_player_2

NEW YORK - Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news). said Monday it is bringing out a cheaper player for Blu-ray discs early this summer, a crucial step in its battle to make the high-definition format the replacement for DVDs.

The BDP-S300 will cost $599, yet will have the same capabilities as the $999 BDP-S1 Sony is currently selling, said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of the home products division of Sony Electronics.

Jason Harbaugh · 02-26-2007, 01:51 PM

So will the BDP-S1 be put out to pasture? Eitherway, this is good news for the BD group. And unlike the S1, the S300 will play CD's for those that have been yelling for that.

RonR · 02-26-2007, 02:31 PM

This is good news. Still waiting on their 2nd gen player myself...

Grant H · 02-26-2007, 03:54 PM

Hopefully this will put pressure on Panasonic to announce a REAL 2nd gen player (not just a firmware-upgraded 1st gen), complete with a lower price tag.

Of course, if Sony would provide 7.1 analog outs instead of just 5.1, I'd consider their unit.

Shawn Perron · 02-26-2007, 03:59 PM

I wonder if they are doing this to stop the pain from people buying PS3s with no intention of buying games. If they are losing as much per unit as claimed on the PS3, this would seem like the perfect price to get those not interested in games to veer away from the PS3. Any way you look at it, it seems like a win for those that have been holding off.

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Neal_C · 02-27-2007, 07:38 PM

I think they are most definitely doing this to get people away from the PS3 solely for BluRay. Personally, I think the price needs to come down to about $499 to peak my interest. At $599, I'd still get the PS3 on the off chance I might want to play some games on it ( I am a gamer I just prefer my 360, but that is beside the point).

Parker Clack · 03-06-2007, 01:50 AM

$599 will be the MRSP. I would imagine that your will able to get this at a lower price once it hits the market.

Neal_C · 03-06-2007, 10:57 AM

Hopefully it will have a lower street cost as that would make it even more attractive for consumers and for Sony getting people away from the PS3 for just movies.

I'll have to find the article but I read something the other day that someone at Sony, can't remember exactly who, said they could see Blu-Ray player prices down around $299 by years end.

Karynak · 03-08-2007, 10:14 AM

I am just now getting into the HD DVD & Blu-ray mood, and I don't know a huge amount about either. I will probably buy a Blu-ray player, but I have a question or 2. Are they capable of playing DVD-Audio or SACD's? Is there a list out there of future Blu-ray and HD-DVD's? I am a HUGE Star Wars fan, and I will buy whichever offers the Trilogy.

Chris Gerhard · 03-08-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karynak

I am just now getting into the HD DVD & Blu-ray mood, and I don't know a huge amount about either. I will probably buy a Blu-ray player, but I have a question or 2. Are they capable of playing DVD-Audio or SACD's? Is there a list out there of future Blu-ray and HD-DVD's? I am a HUGE Star Wars fan, and I will buy whichever offers the Trilogy.

None will play DVD-Audio or SACD except I believe the PS3 supports SACD to some degree although I have forgotten the specifics. It may be only over HDMI or maybe only stereo over analog. It didn't make my universal DVD-A/SACD player go to the closet so I didn't buy it and forgot the extent of support. So Star Wars would be your must have title, I think there are others that feel that way and I don't recall the speculation on that series, but it hasn't been announced to the best of my knowledge.

Chris

Karynak · 03-08-2007, 10:53 AM

I thought I ready in HT Magazine that 20th Cent. Fox had signed with Sony for Blu-ray. I will have to research it to make sure. Since you brought up "Must have Titles" here are mine:

1. Star Wars
2. LoTR
3. Indiana Jones

Maybe the best bet is to buy a PS3? Kind of the best of both worlds.