Blu-Ray prices significantly increase, no competition

[jerzdawg 338]

Blu-ray Disc players from Samsung, Sony and Sharp are now the most expensive they have been all year, presumably because HD DVD?s exit from the high-def disc arena has removed some of Blu-ray?s pricing pressure. Although HD DVD was always seen as a distant second in the HD format war, it constantly received attention because of the lower cost of its players. Because of this, standalone Blu-ray players were not moving off store shelves very steadily. The majority of Blu-ray Disc movie purchases have to date been for consumers who own a Playstation 3, which has BD playback capabilities.

In a move to expedite HD DVD?s downfall, Blu-ray manufacturers and retailers aggressively cut prices earlier this year, to the point where it was possible to buy a standalone BD player for less than $300. Now, however, according to Pricegrabber.com?s most recent information, the average price for Blu-ray hardware is around $400, which is right around where it was last year. The players from Samsung, Sony, Sharp and Panasonic included here are the least expensive on the market and also the most widely available. LG?s BH200 is a dual format player with support for Blu-ray and HD DVD.

Within just the last two weeks, the average prices for LG?s BH200 player and Sharp?s BD-HP20U have climbed significantly. Every standalone Blu-ray-specific player in the chart above is now more expensive than it was at the beginning of the year. Ironically, although Blu-ray has been declared the winner, it is right now about the worst time to invest in a standalone Blu-ray player.

[Neo003 103]

I think they're still low, they should raise the more +20%.

[+Audioboxer 2,876]

Anyone getting a BR player for the time being should just get a PS3.

Prices will come down over time, just recentely some topics were posted about getting around 50% off on BR software.

What we now want is competition from manufacturers on hardware to make their player the one to get.

[Corris 42]

This has already been posted.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=625271

[goji 30]

I laugh at everyone who claimed that the prices would fall once a victor was announced.

O this show is a riot.

[jerzdawg 338]

This has already been posted.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=625271

damn.. mod.. please close.. sorry.. i didnt search as well as i thought...

[shakey 1,127]

yay for monopolies!

[PL_ 19]

No problem. Closed.