Although coy with any detail, Panasonic just put the industry on notice with its Blu-ray plans for the US. In a move to double its Stateside market share, Panny will begin bundling Blu-ray players with their plasma TVs next week. The move specifically targets Circuit City and Best Buy among other big-box retailers and "may" result in a discount. This according to Masayuki Kozuka, a general manager in charge of the company's storage device strategy. We'll take that as a
confirmed discount. After all, without a price drop, why bother -- it's not like
profile 1.1 support will be the cause for that huge upsurge in sales. A Panasonic spokesman also said that they would release two new "higher-end" (read: more expensive) Blu-ray players in January. We'll likely hear more on that little nugget at CES.
Update: Well, here you have it: Best Buy's offering a
$500 discount off their 50- or 42-inch plasmas when purchasing the DMP-BD30K.
[Thanks, Travis]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HD4ME @ Dec 10th 2007 6:02AM
That will be a nice budget priced package to reach the masses....not.
A good way to clear your old obsolete blu ray stock to the uneducated few though I suppose.
D@n @ Dec 10th 2007 6:31AM
*sigh*
Shhhh, don't feed the troll! He will get bored and go away!!!
John B @ Dec 10th 2007 9:27AM
@ D@n:
That axiom doesn't work. If it did, certain people (on both sides of the argument) wouldn't still be around. They sense our hostility towards them even when we don't say anything, and that's what they feed on -- just like that pinwheel alien from the one episode of the original "Star Trek" services.
HD4ME @ Dec 11th 2007 1:19AM
No I wont!
But seriously, just about every piece of electrical equipment i own is Panasonic, near new 42" & 50" Plasma TVs both with new Panasonic surround sound systems, a 7 year old 135cm rear projector TV, numerous older CRT TV's & VCR's, my phone system, air conditioning system are all Panasonic. I love their products.
However, I will not support them with blu ray and this is just dumping obsolete stock onto the unwary as I said. They are far too expensive, IMO anything that is not profile 2 is grossly under specified, and as long as they support the great satan sony in this anti consumer war, they wont get another $1 of mine.
Dave @ Dec 10th 2007 6:37AM
Great player from my favorite brand!
Best quality from Panny as usual.
TJ @ Dec 10th 2007 7:22AM
Panasonic makes some great TVs and Players. I'll be looking in mid-2008 for a 42" Screen, and I've been eyeing some Panasonics. If it comes bundled with a BD Player, so much the better.
zargon @ Dec 10th 2007 7:32AM
Another firesale?!? :o
Truth Teller @ Dec 10th 2007 7:47AM
Hmmm, Panny at this now eh?
They must be getting desperate!
reddplague @ Dec 10th 2007 8:22AM
What's next Toshiba tv with free HD-DVD player and 20 free movies?
reddplague @ Dec 10th 2007 8:24AM
Someone Please throw Toshiba a life line!!!!
We don't have many nails left.
Anthony @ Dec 10th 2007 8:29AM
Not bad if you had planned on these tv's. Sweet
JayHDDVD @ Dec 10th 2007 8:32AM
I have the Panasonic DMPBD30 Bluray Player and must say it's a sweet machine. Panasonic makes very nice stuff.
Spiza @ Dec 10th 2007 8:41AM
I believe Best Buy is already doing this offer with a 50" and 42" pz77u pannys. The 42" is 1499, and the 50" is 2399. The player you get for free is the DMP-BD30K. Plus you get no interest payments for 3 yrs.
Anthony @ Dec 10th 2007 9:49AM
That's some sweet pricing. These sets are almost double that here in Australia.
Truth Teller @ Dec 10th 2007 10:06AM
"What's next"......are $100 HD DVD players taking the a/v mass-market.
This is mere fiddling around the edges of the game console format.
Just like the fire sale Samsung BDP1400
(well, those are the terms you guys love to talk in about perice reductions, aren't they? LMAO).
Just like the relative handful of Blu-ray burners actually bought by the public.
Blu-ray is a game console format, face it.
It totally relies on the PS3 (which all PR BS aside - media center, LMAO - is a kids game console).
Too bad, that's the wrong market.
AG23 @ Dec 10th 2007 10:55AM
@Truth Teller
You cosider the PS3 a "kids console"? Are you sure you are not getting mixed up with the wii?
I am 28 years old and own a PS3. I also have a some friends as well as co-workers that have a PS3 as well, and they are all over the age of 25, two of them over 30.
So not really sure why you think the PS3 is a "kids console".
Also, you are right, Blu-ray does rely heavily on the PS3. But if the PS3 didn't exist, I am sure Blu-Ray would take that into account and price their players accordingly. Fact is, the PS3 does exist and they don't need to lower the price this Christmas to $150-200 unlike HD-DVD because Blu-Ray is doing just fine right now as it is.
Remember, for all the stingy people moaning about the price of Hi-Def formats in general, if you are not willing to spend 300-400 dollars for a Hi-def player you are very unlikely to even own an HDTV as the average price of a 42" and up LCD or plasma is over $1500. Also, when I say TV's over $1500, I am not talking about Vizio's or some no name brand. I am referring to the TV's made by companies that people know of(Sony, Samsung, Sharp, LG, Pioneer, Panasonic, Toshiba, etc...)
mseiter @ Dec 10th 2007 10:58AM
Your best bet is to get the Blu-Ray player, then sell on EBay. Take the $350 or so and get a PS3 that can do Blu-Ray as well as some sweet games.
h4ldol @ Dec 10th 2007 11:01AM
Sounds like Panasonic and all the other blu-ray CE companies are gearing up for a big year for blu-ray. Probably has something to do with Warner's forthcoming blu-ray exclusivity announcement at CES 08. Sadly amusing to see the HD DVD fanboys palpably frightened as the end of HD DVD nears...
reddplague @ Dec 10th 2007 11:14AM
I just love how HD-DVD fanboys defend a DEAD FORMAT!!!!
@Truth Teller
Blu-ray owns the burner market I don't see any HD-DVD burners for sale.
EJNelly @ Dec 10th 2007 5:13PM
From what I hear, you can burn HD DVD's with normal DVD burners, hence no HD DVD burners for sale.
ryan @ Dec 10th 2007 11:45AM
So they can't sell BD standalones, they have to give them away now?
Bill @ Dec 10th 2007 12:12PM
@Ryan
Exactamundo. Blu-Ray is a video game console format, and that's all it will ever be. Without the PS3, there would be no format war. And like history has already shown us, even the #1 video game console only accounted for 2% of DVD players during it's reign. But the PS3 is doing shitty in the video game market in comparison, so it's sole purpose now is the driving force behind Blu, which means shit when it's sales as a game console leave it in dead last.
The consumers have spoken, and they want dedicated HD-DVD players (which equals mass adoption). Dedicated player sales are being dominated by the HD-DVD format this holiday season (when most people in the world buy these kinds of big ticket electronics).
joe @ Dec 10th 2007 3:22PM
The PS2 sold 110 million units if that accounts for 2% of the dvd players then there would have to have been 5,5 billion DVD players sold. IF you were to count the xbox's 25 million that would mean everyone on earth would have a DVD player and the dvd players would have wider and more adoption than :
electricity
plumbing
refigeration
telephone
television
The PS2 and game consoles were closer to 5-10% of the dvd market. That still assumes 1-2 BILLION dvd players were sold. That is why the PS3 is relevant. In the early days the ps2 did have a marked effect on dvd adoption. The PS3 is having a much bigger effect than anyone is giving it credit for.
It has given BD long enough legs that it is now price competitive with HD-DVD on players. The $99 players were a promotion. Most HD-DVD players cost $250 + BD players are now in the $300 low range.
Miidwest @ Dec 10th 2007 12:19PM
@truthteller
I hear the same rhetoric over and over, "Blu-ray is a kids format"
I just don't see how you have arrived at that conclusion.
If anything, I see at as the opposite. Of the three consoles, I would say the PS3 fits that description the least.
An above poster hit the nail right on the head, the PS3 does exist and it helps Blu-ray sell movies. Beyond that, how can you argue? Any reasonably intelligent person must admit, that the PS3 has an effect and it's a positive one for Blu-ray.
Ultimately, this "format war", will be decided by the content providers. Maybe they share your opinion, and the PS3 doesn't matter and they care only about dedicated hardware. Maybe your wrong, and the content providers care about software sales, in which case, HD-DVD is SOL.
We dont know what is weighing on the minds of Warner, I expect we'll find out at CES, but please stop bashing opposing formats for tactics that closely mirror each other. "Fire sale" on the Samsung, come on guys. Don't bash the BDA for slightly discounting a player, not when Toshiba has put all of their chips in that basket. It just screams blind faith for whatever format you support.
Truth Teller @ Dec 10th 2007 12:24PM
Game consoles are not the mainstream a/v mass-market; sorry and all for puncturing your delusions but there you go.
A game console is not going to do anything other than pile up sales in the wrong market.
It's PSP & UMD all over again.....with a tiny amount of stand-alone & PC burner activity glued on.
Big deal.
I can't wait for CES.
The 'eating of words' is going to be hilarious.
A blu-ray supporting movie studio exec came out to announce a rumour and all the PS3/Blu-ray fangirls think it's Gospel.
You couldn't make it up.
Hilarious.
JimC @ Dec 10th 2007 2:24PM
You must be sniffing glue, because last time I checked, bluray was a high density storage medium capable of storing digital information which can be in the form of raw storage, HD movies, or whatever binary information (and mass quantities) you want to store on the medium. Calling it a game console format shows your ignorance in realm science and technology. You're confusing marketing with technical specifications, which doesn't surprise me since HDDVD is nothing but marketing and spin backed by pure payoff dollars (which is the only reason it still exists)...if you're gonna fling dung, make sure not to get it all over yourself in the process....
Gary J @ Dec 10th 2007 12:25PM
The player does not decode TrueHD audio. Not good.
Truth Teller @ Dec 10th 2007 12:28PM
Profile 1.0.
LMAO.
Instant obsolescence.
Truth Teller @ Dec 10th 2007 12:30PM
......and maybe profile 1.0 = big problems wen it comes to profile 1.1 & profile 2.0 movie discs?
Denon certainly seemed to think so only a couple of months back (but what would they know? They're only a high-end manufacturer.).
LMAO, again.
Buyer beware.
Iridium @ Dec 10th 2007 1:04PM
If I already didn't buy a 42" 1080p TV I'd probably go straight to Best Buy and pick up this deal. The 42" 1080p Panasonic plasma is a great TV at $1500 already and getting a HD player with it for free is a very good deal.
By the way a firesale is selling a product at a highly discounted price to move as much inventory as you can before it becomes obsolete and nobody wants it. Better to break even or reduce your losses than be out the whole ammount.
Panasonic will probably give vendors a discounted wholesale price but even with a $499 discount they are still making money on this bundle, unlike the $99 A2 sale. The wholesale price for the TV is between $1000-1100 and the BD player is probably $250-300. Selling both for $1500 still leaves some profit margin. About as much as Best Buy makes when they run a huge discount. The happily sold me my $1800 msrp TV for $1350 since they still made a couple hundred bucks.
Nfinity @ Dec 10th 2007 1:29PM
It seems the only way to move Blu-Ray products and software is to give them away for FREE. LOL!
Greg @ Dec 10th 2007 1:58PM
Shows you how much the HD DVD trolsl know ;)
Technical specs of the Panasonic player involved :
Final Standard Profile Blu-ray Player (BD-ROM Profile1 version 1.1)
1080p output: 24p/60p via HDMI v1.3 with Deep Color
Up-conversion of standard DVDs to 1080p Playback
Dolby True HD Decoder, DTS/DTS-HD High Resolution/Master Audio Decoder
Pixel Precision Progressive Progressing for HD
Also more reasons for you guys to cry:
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/12/pali-sony-snes-bluray-wins-dvd-war-hollywood-loses.html
I'll make sure to come back here after the CES to watch TruthTeller, Nfinity & co. cry their hearts out :)
I told you the prices were coming down as the BDA had room to move.
It's only the beginning, with sub-$300 Sony 1.0 players arriving, this 1.1 profile bundled for the Xmas period, and next year will be a slaughter with the Chinese players arriving (the HD DVD ones crashed, Venturer having to sell them at $200, -higher - than Toshiba -lmao-) and the new 1.1 / 2.0 profile players coming.
ATM94 @ Dec 10th 2007 2:46PM
Shows how much you blu fanboys know. Learn how to read the specs. That player DOES NOT decode TrueHD or DTS HD- it only passes the bitstream to a newer (overpriced) receiver that you have to buy separately. That also means that a 1.1 disc that does use a special feature like PiP commentary won't work if the audio is in one of those HD formats (gee, why would you want HD audio on an HD disc?) since the player can't mix the audio if it can't decode it internally. Kind of defeats the whole point of touting a "1.1 profile" player, doesn't it?
MrGuru @ Dec 10th 2007 2:38PM
Yes he is right this the the NEW and 1st available 1.1 panasonic... so hd dvd fanboys take another bullet point off of your hd dvd pluses list, all you have is price... wait never mind....
and the panny is a beautiful fast loading machine. and its free....im going to be pushing these all day at my store...
the tv has a great picture as well.
Greg @ Dec 10th 2007 3:18PM
Too bad ATM94 that I was posting spcifically about the 1.1 spec about you trolls.
All those specs are copy/paste from Amazon's spec, so if you have any beef with my posting, take it with them :)
And more FUD btw, 1.1 and internal DTS-HD decoding are two totally different issues, but thanks for trying :)
andy @ Dec 10th 2007 3:34PM
Not a bad deal, but a 40" wide, 8" tall DVD player just doesn't have a place in my den. How deep is this sucker, like 3 feet? It makes that TV look tiny.
d$ @ Dec 10th 2007 4:07PM
Notes / requests to Engadget
1. I think Panasonic needs some props for their time between annoucement and availability. Everything Panasonic released in 07 was in stores 2 weeks after announcement. Compare that to the BH200 / UP5000 disaster.
2. As always, please ban all Fan boy comments on non format war posts.(or across the board) I'm trying to find good discussion on a deal and have 25 of the 30 comments not relevant to the post. what a pain.
Thanks
Devils Advocate @ Dec 10th 2007 3:38PM
Nfinity,
The only way you can make any points is by applying double standards, which means you can make any points.
Here is your list of double standards and hypocrisy:
You praise on and on about how Toshibas low prices are getting sold and that its a great thing, but yet now that that bluray offers a low cost deal ( a GREAT deal I might add), its seen as desperate. To you, cheap is good only if HD-DVD is doing it.
The BDA offers BOGOS and you call them out for having to GIVE software away, yet you remain COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS to the fact that Toshiba is giving away 10-12 titles with each HD-DVD player sold. Funny, how you always seem to not mention that.
Either way, I honestly do hope you and Truth Teller have a red Christmas, because it will be your LAST one. Hahahahahahaha.
Btw, Warner going bluray is exclusive. You just wait and see.
rip @ Dec 10th 2007 5:53PM
Clearly, Truth Teller has moved from AVS forums to here after the rule changes over there.
What a tool.
John B @ Dec 10th 2007 7:43PM
"What a tool."
And the Blu-ray elitsts are NOT? How do you figure? Any one of you BD zealots calling the other "a tool" is a complete pot/kettle/black situation. So, STFU.
Truth Teller @ Dec 10th 2007 6:58PM
Ha ha.
You can always tell a Blu-ray fanboy troll with nothing to say, typical resort to pathetic personal (weak & very lame) jibes.
Tell us that funny one about Warner again and try and work in how they're canning big Blu-ray releases.
Cos that's what studios do when they're about to go exclusive isn't it?
LMAO
rip @ Dec 10th 2007 9:01PM
Actually, I really could care less about who wins this format war.
So piss off about thinking I'm some bluray zealot.
At best I find the whole thing annoying. I'd like to see one or the other win, or full studio support for both platforms. Instead of the current "who has the biggest dick" contest.
However, I do find the whole fanboyism pathetic and sad. Unless you are materially benefiting from one format winning, why the hell should you even care? Sony and Toshiba and Microsoft and all the others sure as hell don't care about you...It's not like they are going to send you a big fat check with a letter saying thanks for all the internet posts.
Unless of course, you actually do work for one or the other. Then its just viral advertising. Which I also find repugnant.
EricDJ @ Dec 10th 2007 9:29PM
42PZ77U is $1399 with a free Blu Ray player and the 50PZ77U is $2299 right now with a free player at Best Buy. Panasonic is kicking down 3 year financing right now too
gearyt @ Dec 12th 2007 6:15PM
Just took my new BD-30 home hooked it up to my Onyko SSR-705 ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! life is sweet !