January 9, 2008 7:10 AM PST
Sony bows $200 Blu-ray player
New low: a $200 Blu-ray drive.
(Credit: Sony Electronics Inc.)Funai announced a standalone Blu-ray player that will dip below the $300 mark when it's released next quarter, but if you've got a PC that's up to the challenge, Sony's got an internal Serial ATA Blu-ray drive that will do the trick for even less. The BDU-X10S drive will cost $199.99 when Sony starts shipping it next month (preorder it here). This BD-ROM (that's read, not write) drive comes bundled with CyberLink PowerDVD BD Edition for playing Blu-ray discs in MPEG-2 or H.264 format. It'll also play DVDs and CDs and will work with XP and Vista PCs.
Matt Elliott, a CNET editor since 2000, heads up coverage of computer hardware, from desktops and laptops to their assorted components and peripherals. Prior to joining CNET, he worked for PC Magazine. When not writing about computers and wrestling with their shipping boxes, he likes shooting with his Nikon D50 camera. Matt is also skilled with a tape gun. E-mail Matt.
But I completely see your point and agree about the silly format war.
that should be a perfect example of where video is headed
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As for said topic at hand...finally affordable devices that DOESN'T lock up a gaming console into a either-or scenario (kids wanna play games...parents want to watch a movie, or vice-versa). OTOH, it's not a stand-alone unit like Toshiba builds that plugs into a home entertainment system [i]without[/i] the extraneous need for a computer (commenting specifically on the Sony ROM drive). As for the Funai device...it's headed in the right direction...but whoTF is Funai, other than a manufacturer of bottom-feeder electronics that only discount general merchandise stores carry? Where's Pioneer? Where's Panasonic?
In the end, I like several others here still question whether or not it's all moot. Disc delivery is going the way of the dodo bird. It's too wasteful of resources, even when it's mail ordered (somebody will have to pay for the fuel to get it into your device, not to mention all the manufacturing and distribution costs involved), and doesn't have the appeal for the 'gotta-have-it-yesterday' mentality. And like too many other consumers, I still think standard DVD upscaled is "good enough" (even if the actual content isn't), if this whole principle of disc delivery is bought into. As soon as HD-DVD discs begin disappearing from retailers, will Blu-ray studios really reduce their wares to compete with the older format, or will they continue to position themselves as a 'premier' branding of the same content?
Personally I'd rather count on the download alternative, particularly since I've waited this long already. But it's at least still good that prices on the drives are FINALLY below $200. Of course if [i]Sony[/i] does it, then others will be even cheaper still.
for some reason, in their Japanese commercials, from what I hear.
I'd scoop up a SONY PLAYSTATION 3, if I were you.
Best wishes, River.
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by JoeZ14
January 11, 2008 2:54 PM PST
- i never had a problem with dvds, and i dont think i will. this bluray vs hddvd thing , i cant say i care about lol
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