Anybody daft enough to pay £800+ for Blu-Ray?

wavejockglw · 12-11-2006, 15:54

Just noticed that there now a few Blu-Ray players being advertised for the christmas rush. Joh Lewis are advertising Samsung and Panasonic models but the prices are crazy!!

With PS-3 arriving in February/March 2007 at around £400 why would anyone want to part with £800 or £1200 for a stand alone Blu-Ray player?

Maybe those with too much money and an spare HDMI socket on their flat panel TV will be tempted!!

soulboy77 · 12-11-2006, 16:19

I read a review of the Samsung Blu-ray player recently and it was not too complimentary.

Jarrak · 12-11-2006, 18:20

Perhaps those people that buy standalone DVD and HD-DVD/Blu-ray players expect to get more features, better build quality and simply a more flexible device not to mention that having an all in one unit limits it's use in a family enviroment.

Lets not forget the PS3 will be sold below cost with revnues coming from the licensing of games where as standalone players at launch are always priced to recoup R&D as fast as possible before second gen units come along that are cheaper.
It wasn't that long ago that DVD was very expensive and DVDR were over a grand

JBlink · 12-11-2006, 20:17

As with all new technology there will be some early adopters wealthy or foolish enough to spend a lot of money only to see the same thing available a few months later at half the price. Trouble is, if you wait until prices have stabilised then you'll never buy anything. I was far from being a DVD early adopter. However my first cost £450 six or seven years ago and the most recent £18! No doubt the first one has better build quality but it lacks the multi-format capability and regionfreeness (?) of the cheapo.

As a matter of interest, can you buy Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs yet - at sensible prices from sensible shops?

meltcity · 12-11-2006, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrak

Perhaps those people that buy standalone DVD and HD-DVD/Blu-ray players expect to get more features, better build quality and simply a more flexible device not to mention that having an all in one unit limits it's use in a family enviroment.

Do you mean more flexible in the sense that region 1 DVDs will not play and Blu-ray disc compatibility is a lottery?

In fairness to HD-DVD there is no region coding on HD-DVD discs at present... but SD-DVDs from different regions will not play.

http://bluray.lindsite.dk/

Last edited by meltcity : 12-11-2006 at 20:41.

mmace · 12-11-2006, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBlink

As a matter of interest, can you buy Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs yet - at sensible prices from sensible shops?

yes, play sell both and they're around the same price as DVD's

Jarrak · 12-11-2006, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltcity

Do you mean more flexible in the sense that region 1 DVDs will not play and Blu-ray disc compatibility is a lottery?

In fairness to HD-DVD there is no region coding on HD-DVD discs at present... but SD-DVDs from different regions will not play.

http://bluray.lindsite.dk/

Nope, I know little about the PS3 (or xbox360+ addon) I'm offering a general over view of dedicated players against consoles which by definition are gaming machines first and foremost.

Dedicated hardware tends to offer more features and flexibility in outputs and it doesn't take much maths to figure out that besides from the basic optical assembly and self contained drive the integrated electronics in a standalone player and chassis design are going to perform to a higher level.

This may not be a biggy for a significant portion of the market but does explain why some people are prepared to spend a lot of money on a standalone compared to a console. Come to think of it a similar situation still exists between consoles and PC's although the distinction is even more pronounced but closing.

ricric09 · 12-11-2006, 23:53

I will buy one eventually maybe late next year. I need a HD tv first though and I want sky HD but I not a n early adapter but I m not a late one either

battlezone · 13-11-2006, 11:16

I for one would not even give blu-ray the time of day! Especially as an HD-DVD player can be picked up at less than half the price! I will defintely buy an HD-DVD Player in the near future.

Even the cost of HD blank media is a lot cheaper than blu-ray.

CJL · 13-11-2006, 12:33

battlezone,

But couldn't the PS3=BluRay argument also be applied to you too? If your goal is simply to play HD-DVD then an Xbox360 for <£200 plus their new HD-DVD add on drive for £120 is currently a lot less than the £500+ that a dedicated HD-DVD machine costs.

So whether you
pay £400 for PS3 rather than £800+ for Blu Ray or
pay £320 for Xbox+HD-DVD rather than £500+ for HD-DVD
it seems that getting your HD player via a games console is the sensible solution right now.

Cliff

battlezone · 13-11-2006, 13:20

I can agree with your point. But I am not a gamer by any stretch of the imagination. What I meant to say was when the HD DVD Player prices come down to a reasonable level.

My original Tosh DVD Player cost almost £300 way back in 1999. So I would assume that HD prices will drop dramatically too.

call100 · 14-11-2006, 08:07

The cheapest way to buy is via 360 and PS3. I believe that eventually there will be dual machines produced. Whatever they are saying right now...I will probably wait until then.

12-11-2006, 15:54	#1
wavejockglw Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 10,276	Anybody daft enough to pay £800+ for Blu-Ray? Just noticed that there now a few Blu-Ray players being advertised for the christmas rush. Joh Lewis are advertising Samsung and Panasonic models but the prices are crazy!! With PS-3 arriving in February/March 2007 at around £400 why would anyone want to part with £800 or £1200 for a stand alone Blu-Ray player? Maybe those with too much money and an spare HDMI socket on their flat panel TV will be tempted!!

13-11-2006, 13:20	#11
battlezone Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oxford (formally Newcastle) Posts: 1,813	I can agree with your point. But I am not a gamer by any stretch of the imagination. What I meant to say was when the HD DVD Player prices come down to a reasonable level. My original Tosh DVD Player cost almost £300 way back in 1999. So I would assume that HD prices will drop dramatically too. Last edited by battlezone : 13-11-2006 at 13:22.

12-11-2006, 16:19	#2
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	I read a review of the Samsung Blu-ray player recently and it was not too complimentary.

12-11-2006, 18:20	#3
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Perhaps those people that buy standalone DVD and HD-DVD/Blu-ray players expect to get more features, better build quality and simply a more flexible device not to mention that having an all in one unit limits it's use in a family enviroment. Lets not forget the PS3 will be sold below cost with revnues coming from the licensing of games where as standalone players at launch are always priced to recoup R&D as fast as possible before second gen units come along that are cheaper. It wasn't that long ago that DVD was very expensive and DVDR were over a grand

12-11-2006, 20:17	#4
JBlink Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 2,926	As with all new technology there will be some early adopters wealthy or foolish enough to spend a lot of money only to see the same thing available a few months later at half the price. Trouble is, if you wait until prices have stabilised then you'll never buy anything. I was far from being a DVD early adopter. However my first cost £450 six or seven years ago and the most recent £18! No doubt the first one has better build quality but it lacks the multi-format capability and regionfreeness (?) of the cheapo. As a matter of interest, can you buy Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs yet - at sensible prices from sensible shops?

12-11-2006, 20:37	#5
meltcity Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,770	Quote: Originally Posted by Jarrak Perhaps those people that buy standalone DVD and HD-DVD/Blu-ray players expect to get more features, better build quality and simply a more flexible device not to mention that having an all in one unit limits it's use in a family enviroment. Do you mean more flexible in the sense that region 1 DVDs will not play and Blu-ray disc compatibility is a lottery? In fairness to HD-DVD there is no region coding on HD-DVD discs at present... but SD-DVDs from different regions will not play. http://bluray.lindsite.dk/ Last edited by meltcity : 12-11-2006 at 20:41.

12-11-2006, 20:38	#6
mmace Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Leeds Posts: 790	Quote: Originally Posted by JBlink As a matter of interest, can you buy Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs yet - at sensible prices from sensible shops? yes, play sell both and they're around the same price as DVD's

12-11-2006, 21:34	#7
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by meltcity Do you mean more flexible in the sense that region 1 DVDs will not play and Blu-ray disc compatibility is a lottery? In fairness to HD-DVD there is no region coding on HD-DVD discs at present... but SD-DVDs from different regions will not play. http://bluray.lindsite.dk/ Nope, I know little about the PS3 (or xbox360+ addon) I'm offering a general over view of dedicated players against consoles which by definition are gaming machines first and foremost. Dedicated hardware tends to offer more features and flexibility in outputs and it doesn't take much maths to figure out that besides from the basic optical assembly and self contained drive the integrated electronics in a standalone player and chassis design are going to perform to a higher level. This may not be a biggy for a significant portion of the market but does explain why some people are prepared to spend a lot of money on a standalone compared to a console. Come to think of it a similar situation still exists between consoles and PC's although the distinction is even more pronounced but closing.

12-11-2006, 23:53	#8
ricric09 Banned User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pork pie Heaven Posts: 2,362	I will buy one eventually maybe late next year. I need a HD tv first though and I want sky HD but I not a n early adapter but I m not a late one either

13-11-2006, 11:16	#9
battlezone Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oxford (formally Newcastle) Posts: 1,813	I for one would not even give blu-ray the time of day! Especially as an HD-DVD player can be picked up at less than half the price! I will defintely buy an HD-DVD Player in the near future. Even the cost of HD blank media is a lot cheaper than blu-ray.

13-11-2006, 12:33	#10
CJL Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Finchingfield, Essex Posts: 5,511	battlezone, But couldn't the PS3=BluRay argument also be applied to you too? If your goal is simply to play HD-DVD then an Xbox360 for <£200 plus their new HD-DVD add on drive for £120 is currently a lot less than the £500+ that a dedicated HD-DVD machine costs. So whether you pay £400 for PS3 rather than £800+ for Blu Ray or pay £320 for Xbox+HD-DVD rather than £500+ for HD-DVD it seems that getting your HD player via a games console is the sensible solution right now. Cliff

14-11-2006, 08:07	#12
call100 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,572	The cheapest way to buy is via 360 and PS3. I believe that eventually there will be dual machines produced. Whatever they are saying right now...I will probably wait until then.

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Anybody daft enough to pay £800+ for Blu-Ray?