Low-cost Blu-ray players: Still not so low

With prices for entry-level Blu-ray players still hovering near the $350 mark, we've been anticipating the arrival of the first Blu-ray players from second-tier brands, presumably at lower prices than the major brands.

Based on first models slated to arrive, however, that's not going to happen, at least immediately. For example, Funai, a low-cost Japanese manufacturer that controls the Emerson, Sylvania and Symphonic brands in the U.S., is readying the debut of a Sylvania-brand Blu-ray player, which should arrive in a few weeks. Amazon.com is now taking pre-orders for the player, and it's priced at $350—not the bargain we imagined. And Best Buy will begin selling an Insignia-brand Blu-ray player—presumably manufactured by Funai, which makes standard-def DVD players for the retailer—on June 9th, at the same $350 price.

These prices are higher than we anticipated, particularly since Funai said at CES in January that a Sylvania model would be available this spring for less than $300. (This link takes you directly to an Adobe Acrobat version of the company's official press release.)

So we still think you should wait just a bit longer before buying a Blu-ray player. But getting a lower price is only one of the reasons. The other is that the Blu-ray technology is still evolving. For example, the Sylvania player is a so-called "Profile 1.1 model," with Bonus View (picture-in-picture) capability, but not Internet connectivity (BD-Live), a feature that will be included in upcoming Profile 2.0 players. We imagine that the Insignia model will also be a Profile 1.1 model. So far, the Sony PlayStation 3 game console is the only Profile 2.0 Blu-ray player available (and then via a firmware upgrade), although Panasonic is readying the release of the first Profile 2.0 stand-alone player, the DMP-BD50. (Click on the image above for a closer look.) That player doesn't yet have a price, and its launch is still four to six weeks away.

We fully expect Blu-ray prices to drop later this year, as the market becomes more competitive. By waiting just a few more months, you'll likely get not just a better price, but also a player containing all the features Blu-ray is capable of delivering.

—James K. Willcox

Comments

[Brian]

Billy,

DVD is Digital Versatile Disc, not Digital Video Disc. DVD's are used for more than video alone. It's a common mistake.

[Billy Rheas]

Just like any other electric component, the price will naturally reflect the growing market of the media. As blue-ray disks are more readily available the lower the price of the hardware will become. It is just like when we had laser disc (those big big big CD’s) and then the compact disk - Digital Video Disk (DVD) …. Laser disk players were very very expensive while DVD players were at the same price… the next year or so the price went way way down because DVD’s were being mass-produced and could be find all over.

As far as updates go Thomas… that is no real issue for current blue-ray players. Many of them have updates via the internet and not to mention the ease of updating “the best blue-ray player” out on the market.. the PS3. The PS3 still is the best for the money blue-ray player you can get and plus with the multimedia capabilities you can’t go wrong. HD-DVD was almost a “laser-disc-ish” or “beta” life thing. It was all great but it was another competitor that had the jump on it.

[Thomas]

Besides the issue of Blu-Ray profile updates, there is also the issue of updates for security - when something gets hacked, they update the firmware and you then have to download it yourself to play new videos. This can be a royal pain to do! You find yourself buying the latest video, then find out it won't play on your machine until you upgrade the firmware. If the upgrade is not available yet for your player, you're stuck with a useless disk.

[anarchist]

It looks like studios killing HD-DVD turned up badly for consumers.
HD-DVD players were not a 'work in progress' like blue ray and, and a LOT cheaper for similar features.
Unfortunalely too many intelectually weak people bought in the blue ray advertising and we are paying the price.

[Dan Gillen]

Steve, you must be confusing the PS3 with the XBOX 360. The XBOX 360 has a horrible failure rate. Everything I've read indicates that the PS3 is very reliable, and that's been my personal experience as well.

http://www.ripten.com/2007/07/03/failure-rate-xbox-360-high-as-33-sony-ps3-less-than-1/

The PS3 is the best Blu Ray player you can buy for any price. The fact that it's also the cheapest and comes with a great game console, wifi, blu tooth, internet, media library, etc make it one of the best gadget values in existence.

[Mike McInerney]

Steve, where are you basing your information off of? Everyone I know with a PS3, including myself, have had zero issues with the PS3 breaking down. I actually think it is put together quite impressively.

The ability to wirelessly receive firmware updates and with the recent addition of DTS-Master audio puts the PS3 ahead of its siblings as a current generation blu-ray player (not to mention it has many other functions). It plays quietly, gives a great picture, and is only going to get better with the near monthly updates that Sony is providing.

If you are looking to buy a current generation blu-ray player, buy the PS3. If you are dead set on buying a standalone player, ensure that it has ethernet or wireless capability for upgrades. Otherwise, you are stuck with what you bought, and any upgrades require the purchase of a new unit.

[Jim Gaines]

Do any of the HDTVs now available with built in players use the Blu-Ray technology? Should I wait for awhile if I want a built in DVD player?

[forrest heckenlively]

The PS3 40GB combined w/ a Sony W3000 TV and Sony DSC-T100 camera gives a solid 1080p experience at an affordable price.

Putting aside all the technical information and relying on the asethetic experience, the presentation of media is pleasing and without any unecessary "hassle". Go HDMI and Sony interrelated media products!

[Kev]

Steve are you kidding? You are speaking of the xbox 360. The PS3 has a a 1% fail rate and is a great blu-ray player.

[Marky Mark]

Steve Hartley...do you own a PS3? Are there statistics to show that PS3 break down a lot? If you know well enough what you are talking about, then at least, you should be able to point out that basic design flaw. Assumptions will get you nowhere much more mere idiotic speculations. I got mine October last year and has performed perfectly. One advantage about the PS3 is you can both enjoy watching your hi-def movies and playing almost realistic games. So why would you buy a standalone BD player that is almost the same price as PS3. PS3 does get firmware upgrades thru internet due to its wireless connectivity. Which makes me point out, that, PS3 is the best and economical BD player out for its varied uses. Go get a PS3 now!!!!

[joseph]

The PS3 requires a firmware upgrade but that sounds tricky when it isn't. PS3 has wireless networking and Ethernet connectivity.

A simple process downloads the update and restarts the system.

[steve hartley]

Although the PS3 is priced well for the features it offers, I would recommend NOT pruchasing one at this time. They units are notorious for breaking down. There is either a design flaw or shoddy materials used and the units stops reading discs completely' blu-ray or games.