Somewhat off topic, but related to the Blu-Ray release

[gastrof]

I really don't want to get a Blu-Ray player, but I know eventually it'll be necessary, since at some point they'll stop releasing movies on standard DVD.

The other day, I saw a known brand name (Sony, I think) on a Blu-Ray player that was actually being sold for $170 U.S..

Now, that seems "a bit" lower than any price I've heard on a B-R player, so is something wrong with this?

Going back and replacing all my discs with high def versions is just SO not going to happen, but with this being a new start of sorts for the franchise, maybe this is the time to change horses.

Should I be wary of a price so low, even on a known name player? It wasn't in a baclroom somewhere or on a street corner. It was in a legit store.

Could B-R players already be down to under $200? Not quite as low as the $35 you might have to pay for a regular DVD player, but still a surprise to me.

Comments?

 

[Similitude]

They have a crappy one at Walmart that is dirt cheap.

 

[Ktrek]

What you should do is research the model number of the player. There are all kinds of websites that discuss BD players and the pros and cons of each. Sony is a a good brand name and they did invent Blu-Ray but there are probably better players out there. Because of my own bad bad experience with Samsung I would recommend you do not buy any of their products. I know I never will again! I currently own the Panasonic BMP - BD80. It's a superb player and plays anything I put in it. Even plays divx files, mp3s etc. Good upconvert too but it also sells for around $400 at BestBuy although you may be able to find online sources for lower but remember shipping costs too and convenience of repair if it becomes necessary. Anyway, that's my take on it. I love Blu-Ray and I would never go back to SD unless I had no other choice. The Star Trek Season One and the TOS movies are fantastic on BD!

Kevin

 

[Prometheus]

Blu-ray players are getting cheaper(less expensive) all the time. Sony, Samsung and Panasonic all have great players but do your research to get the best one for you. Also, remember you can also play regular dvd's on the Blu-ray as well(for now) So you don't have to convert your entire collection to blu-ray just yet if at all.....love my blu-ray, never going back

 

[Amaris]

They have a crappy one at Walmart that is dirt cheap.

If you're referring to the Magnavox, it's not crappy. It's actually quite excellent. I got it as a gift. It makes regular DVDs look spectacular, and Blu-rays go right off the scale. It does everything most other Blu-ray players do, with the exception that it doesn't have BD-Live. That being said, every Blu-ray I have played in it has played without a single issue. It powers on quickly, loads quickly, plays consistently and just looks great. $168.

J.

 

[ManaByte]

Do not buy any BluRay player without a Ethernet port. The BRD copy protection scheme has hooks in it where they may implement online authentication in the future.

 

[Amaris]

These devices can be updated by downloading the update and putting it on an SD card, which my Magnavox accepts.

J.

 

[Borgminister]

They have a crappy one at Walmart that is dirt cheap.

If you're referring to the Magnavox, it's not crappy. It's actually quite excellent. I got it as a gift. It makes regular DVDs look spectacular, and Blu-rays go right off the scale. It does everything most other Blu-ray players do, with the exception that it doesn't have BD-Live. That being said, every Blu-ray I have played in it has played without a single issue. It powers on quickly, loads quickly, plays consistently and just looks great. $168.

J.

168?!?

Why that price is Loud as a Whisper!

 

[Amaris]

They have a crappy one at Walmart that is dirt cheap.

If you're referring to the Magnavox, it's not crappy. It's actually quite excellent. I got it as a gift. It makes regular DVDs look spectacular, and Blu-rays go right off the scale. It does everything most other Blu-ray players do, with the exception that it doesn't have BD-Live. That being said, every Blu-ray I have played in it has played without a single issue. It powers on quickly, loads quickly, plays consistently and just looks great. $168.

J.

168?!?

Why that price is Loud as a Whisper!

Yeah, I was watching Season Two.

J.

 

[Garrovick]

128.00 limited quantities at Wal-Mart. I'll buy one when Wal-Mart stops selling DVDs

 

[cultcross]

I really don't want to get a Blu-Ray player, but I know eventually it'll be necessary, since at some point they'll stop releasing movies on standard DVD.

Unlikely, imho. DVDs simply have too wide a market penetration, a huge price advantage, very few significant disadvantages compared with Blu-Ray (unlike, say VHS compared with DVD). I doubt DVD will be going anywhere as long as only Blu-ray is the alternative. I think they'll both end up replaced by whatever the next big format change is.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

blu-ray and consumer video formats

Blu-ray has been available since 2003. Without hooking your computer's videocard to your 50" TV in your living room a Blu-ray player is the best bet. Blu-ray will be around for 10 years at least.
The next big thing is downloadable content. (HD video-on-demand, HD downloads from XBOX Live, Playstation network, Apple iTunes store).
Possibly a license to a film will be the future that will be accessible in any downloadable format as it becomes available. You would be able to upgrade for free.

DVD will still exist for 15 more years but will get less releases once Blu-ray gets over 50% market penetration.