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News Analysis
Swanni Predicts: Blu-ray Prices to Fall
Under $200
The low price will be available in the next 6-8 weeks.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (August 26, 2008)
--
Blu-ray player prices are starting to fall and some players will
be available for less than $200 in the next six to eight weeks.
During the holiday season, I predict, some players will be even
available at retail and online for between $149-179.
So, why the lower prices?
As predicted here months ago, Blu-ray makers are now introducing
new models with interactive features to kick off the fall
season. The new players are enabling retailers to lower prices
on older models to unprecedented lows.
For instance, at Amazon.com,
Sony's BDP-S300
is now available for $229 -- roughly $170 less than the
suggested retail price. (Sony recently introduced an upgraded
model, the BDR-S350, for $399 suggested retail, although Amazon
is selling that newer model for $355.)
Panasonic's DMP-BD30K, which normally retails for $399, is now
$299 at Amazon.com.
Additionally, big box retailers such as Best Buy are now selling
the Insignia Blu-ray player (model: NS-BRDVD) for $279.
Until now, Blu-ray players were in short supply, forcing
retailers to keep prices higher than consumers expected.
Why were the players in short supply?
Blu-ray manufacturers were caught by surprise last spring by HD
DVD's sudden departure from the format war and were not ready to
ramp up production. Consequently, with the exception of the Play
Station 3, which has a Blu-ray player inside, Blu-ray sales have
been disappointing following the format's victory over HD DVD.
But I predict that the lower player prices combined with falling
Bu-ray disc prices will dramatically boost Blu-ray sales this
holiday season.
Comment on this article!
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© TVPredictions.com
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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
Click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV technology.
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