In the wake of Toshiba
hinting at forthcoming price drops on its stand-alone HD DVD players at CES, Samsung has apparently figured out that it can't keep on charging a cool grand (though the price had already
fallen a bit "unofficially") for its own high definition unit and remain attractive. As fence-sitters weigh their options and realize that they can get a
console and Blu-ray player together for around $500, it only makes sense that we see a (somewhat) healthy price drop on Samsung's
BD-P1000. Effectively immediately, the MSRP has been slashed from $999 to $899, putting wholesale prices closer to the
$500-$800 range, which should help draw attention from potential buyers who were previously turned off by price. Of course, this theoretical price leveling might not last for too long if Toshiba's whispers prove to be true, but at least we're seeing the prices of stand-alone players
dip down from their previous home in the stratosphere.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason @ Jan 3rd 2007 10:56AM
the first format to launch a player for under $200 MSRP wins. Unless they take more than a few years to do so by which time downloading may very well squash them both.
riverside_guy @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:31PM
First, the real difference in a HD signal lies more in pure video than film (or video made to look like film). In certain films, the difference in HD can be almost hard to really discern. Given that, I can't imagne they will get anywhere until players are below 150 bucks at the most. Keep in mind that while some may disagree, you just can't go very wrong with a 60-80 dollar DVD player.
GhostDoggy @ Jan 3rd 2007 7:09PM
For the last two to three weeks the Samsung player has been selling for $799 at Best Buy. Do you guys even get out of the house?
xVariable @ Jan 3rd 2007 7:11PM
Yeah, I definitely gonna buy this, ESPECIALLY when I can get a PS3 for hundreds less. Stupid...
WTF @ Jan 3rd 2007 7:32PM
Online now for 569.99$ @ Onecall or 599.99$ @ TigerDirect.com (works out cheaper at TigerDirect because 0$ shipping).
Mike @ Jan 3rd 2007 9:12PM
Costco .com has the HD DVD right now for $449 with 3 free movies and Blu Ray for $899 and if your format looses then you can take it back. $400 is still to high but I would jump in around $250.
Whatever someones price point is...$300 or $200 etc the HD DVD is going to get there 1st.
Shareef @ Jan 4th 2007 1:03AM
Yeah at Costco.com they have the blu-ray player for 899 but look at the picture they have for it, could it be the 2nd gen blu-ray player from samsung?
http://www.costco.com/Browse/PopupViewer.aspx?prodid=11185755&whse=BC&cat=2593