Hotmail
Sony cuts price on new Blu-ray player
BDP-S300 will now sport a $100 lower list price of $499
 | This undated photo shows the SOny BDP-S300 Blu-ray player. |
Sony Corp. via AP file |
Tech Holiday Gift Guide |
 10 best Xbox 360 games of 2009 With all the incredible games that have been released for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 this year, trying to write a “Best of 2009” list feels an awful lot like trying to stick 20 pounds of sand into a 2-pound sack. |
Real Women’s Guide to Technology |
An MSN special that focuses on consumer technologies that can benefit women. |
 | Tech and gadgets videos |
 Texting may be bad for you Dec. 17: New studies find that texting is not only bad for your eyes, but can cause chronic pain in the neck, shoulders and fingers. Dr. Nancy Snyderman talks with opthamalogist Dr. Roger Steinert and spine surgeon Dr. Charles Rosen. |
 | Video |
 |
Auto Tech |
A better economy may lure buyers, but these trends could seal the deal. |
NEW YORK - With dominance of the market for high-definition movie discs still up in the air, Sony Corp. said Monday it is including a small surprise with the new Blu-ray disc player it is shipping this week: a price tag $100 lower than previously announced.
When Sony announced the BDP-S300 player in February, it put the price at $599, but it has now set a list price at $499.
That means the new player costs half of what the company’s first Blu-ray player cost when it launched just six months ago — probably one of the fastest price declines in the consumer electronics industry.
The new player has essentially the same capabilities as the older BDP-S1 but is smaller.
The price cut is due to falling production costs and the growing demand for Blu-ray products, according to Chris Fawcett, vice president of Sony Electronics’ home products division.
Sony has been undersold in the market for high-definition disc players by Toshiba, which created the rival HD DVD format. Its players are now selling for less than $300, 14 months after Toshiba’s first player appeared in U.S. stores.
Neither Blu-ray nor HD DVD players have caught on strongly with consumers, who have been waiting for the market to settle on one of the formats.
But dropping prices for players and HDTV sets in more homes mean a big showdown between the discs may be looming this holiday season.
Hollywood studios are split on the issue, but Blu-ray has the strongest support.
Most people buying Blu-ray discs are apparently buying them for their Sony PlayStation 3 game consoles. The cheapest version of the console costs $499, but its game-oriented wireless controller and relatively loud fan makes it a less than ideal movie player.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM TECH AND GADGETS |
 Tech and gadgets Section Front |
| Add Tech and gadgets headlines to your news reader: |
Resource guide