Yeah, but how much ?

This is great news. If they start shipping samples next month then I'd venture that we'll see brand-name 2.0 players for $250 or less by early to mid 2009 (or maybe even late 2008).

This article reminds us that by mid-1999 (2 years after it's launch) mainstream DVD players were costing $500 or more.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2307670,00.asp

...and that's not even accounting for inflation.

I'll want to keep up on this...

About time.....

Originally posted by juankerr:

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This is great news. If they start shipping samples next month then I'd venture that we'll see brand-name 2.0 players for $250 or less by early to mid 2009 (or maybe even late 2008).

This article reminds us that by mid-1999 (2 years after it's launch) mainstream DVD players were costing $500 or more.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2307670,00.asp

...and that's not even accounting for inflation.

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Accounting for inflation? Its far cheaper to produce electronic devices, chips, memory, boards, etc. than it was in 1999. The advances have far outpaced inflation.
It is good to see them finally realizing the need to get the costs down though.

Originally posted by llongtheD:

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Its far cheaper to produce electronic devices, chips, memory, boards, etc. than it was in 1999. The advances have far outpaced inflation.

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Remember that you're dealing with new technology that involved years of R & D - blue lasers, new video and audio decoding chips, HDMI, etc. New tech = higher costs.

Anyway, if the Chinese can get a hold of these then we could very well see sub $100 BD-Live players:

Chinese companies authorized to produce Blu-ray products

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Originally posted by error5:

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Remember that you're dealing with new technology that involved years of R & D - blue lasers, new video and audio decoding chips, HDMI, etc. New tech = higher costs.

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It's like the pharmaceutical industry. It may cost them next to nothing to manufacture one pill. But it's the years of research, design, and testing leading to that first pill that costs so much.

Good catch on that China story though. I was about to post that when you beat me to it.

juankerr: A few posters on avsforums and highdefdigest are saying that the $289 Funai/Magnavox has the earlier version of the Panasonic Uniphier chip. So your $250 (or less) estimate for players with the upcoming Uniphier 3 could be spot on.

Who cares!!

Blu-ray is inevitably going to be replaced by either HD streaming, downloads or flash. I can't see buyin' into "next-generation of an antiquated format" unless the players come down to less than 150.00 bucks and movies (new releases especially) closer to the 20.00 dollar mark.

All you yuppy die-hard backers of this technology will defend it but the sales and numbers behind BD speak the truth. It's just not taking off like everyone thought (including me) and wanted. HA HA HA

Does there always have to be someone intent on starting an argument?

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How is it that such a passive and pansy comment, that isn't even legit, comes from a person with a sig. "Monster Addict". You must be under 23. Additionally............who cares that you're an owner of PS3 and frankly..........Monster is indicative of bad energy drink taste and hopefully you recognize that XBox 360, though less on power and specs. puts out better quality in the same games. Lighting, detail, EVERYTHING. Now get off my nuts!

Again, $100 or less or bluray can still stick it.