Recent Comments:
Blu-ray releases on May 13th, 2008 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 6:12PM Actually, Mr. Fizzlepop, you're looking at the barebones DVD release. When you do a comparison between Blu-ray and DVD, you should really compare the Blu-ray to the equivalent Special Edition DVD, since the extras will almost always be the same. [Disclaimer: I haven't researched this movie in particular to make sure of that, but it's held true for most other movies I've checked].
If you do that comparison for Narnia, you'll see that the special edition DVD and BD MSRPs are the exact same, and in fact the Blu-ray version is cheaper at Amazon than the DVD! Check it out:
Blu-Ray ($23.95):
http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-Witch-Wardrobe-Blu-ray/dp/B000YAFJXE
Special Edition DVD ($29.99):
http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-Wardrobe-Two-Disc-Collectors/dp/B000E8M0WO
Blu-ray releases on May 13th, 2008 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 6:03PM Thanks for pointing that out TJ. I like Amazon since they have all their BDs at 30+ percent off MSRP.
Funai's NB500 Blu-ray player sliding into Wal-Mart for $298 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 5:46PM @aplen22. IIRC, Panasonic (matsushita) and Sony hold the majority of patents for the Blu-ray hardware technology. So anyone who wishes to manufacture Blu-ray hardware must pay patent license fees for that. As for software, the BDA might collect a small amount of revenue for use of the term "Blu-ray(tm)" on packaging, etc., but if so that's a tiny fraction of what the manufacturer of a gaming console can tack onto games.
To implement a true loss leader model for Blu-ray would require a company to own both a movie studio and hardware manufacturing capability (i.e. give away the razor to sell the cartridges). Sony comes the closest of anyone to be able to do that, but since Blu-ray is an open specification with multiple hardware and software players, Sony can't just unilaterally drop hardware prices and raise their movie prices through the roof. Most people (me included) would certainly skip all Sony Pictures Blu-ray releases if they were a $50 MSRP (for instance).
Fortunately, Blu-ray is subject to the same market forces as any other product out there. Prices will drop with time. Maybe not as fast as we all wish though! :)
Funai's NB500 Blu-ray player sliding into Wal-Mart for $298 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 4:15PM So much for that rumor that the BDA is going to shut out the cheaper Chinese players just to maintain some kind of monopoly. Please tell me that everyone can agree that there is *real* competition in the Blu-ray player arena?
Funai's NB500 Blu-ray player sliding into Wal-Mart for $298 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 4:12PM The reason that works with game consoles is that there is a single manufacturer of a given console (Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo). They have a monopoly, and all game releases must go through them, so they can charge large licensing fees on the software to make up losses on the hardware. There's no way that could work with the plethora of studios and hardware manufacturers in Blu-ray.
Funai's NB500 Blu-ray player sliding into Wal-Mart for $298 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 4:08PM Profile 2.0 was publicized before Blu-ray even launched into the marketplace. It's not like it was sprung upon consumers after the fact, and no new profiles have been announced since 2006.
Funai's NB500 Blu-ray player sliding into Wal-Mart for $298 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 4:05PM I'm not sure how you figure that timeframe. I can't imagine a consumer making a decision to give up on Blu-ray forever, just because players are $100 more than they'd like at the end of this year. Just like with any product, people will buy when the price is right, whenever that happens to be.
But regardless of that, I'm absolutely certain that there will be players at $200 and under this holiday season. They may not be the latest & greatest Profile 2.0 players, but if someone isn't worried about interactive extras, there will definitely be many bargains to be found.
Blu-ray releases on May 13th, 2008 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 2:05PM I had Butch Cassidy on preorder, since I love the classics in HD. However, I canceled it once I read reviews showing that it's just an old recycled HD transfer from the D-Theater days, dirt, hairs, and all. No dice, Fox. If you want me to pony up $27 retail for one of your classics on BD, you have to do a proper restoration! Take a look and learn well from what Warner's been doing lately with their catalog of classics.
So, no purchases for me this week, but next week is definitely going to painful on the wallet!
Blu-ray releases on May 13th, 2008 {Engadget HD}
May 12th 2008 1:58PM For once I agree with you Nfinity. I'm personally boycotting the $39.99 MSRP titles, unless it's something I absolutely HAVE to have. The prices will drop sooner or later, and that's when I'll pick it up. I even have a spreadsheet with about a half-dozen titles where I'm waiting for price reductions.
Dreamer's Biddle makes Blu-ray players a way around your cable company? {Engadget HD}
May 11th 2008 7:30PM Wow, now THAT's thinking outside the box! I never would have imagined using BD-J for something like this.
