Will the $98 HD-DVD player FORCE Sony to drop the price of the PS3?

(This thread will not be about the HD-DVD player, but how Sony can or cannot/will/should use the PS3 to respond)

So starting tomorrow (Friday AM), Wal-Mart--whom we had speculated for months to be jumping into the HD-DVD camp--will be offering an HD-DVD player for only $98. Ridiculous. Shocking. Amazing.

Given how important Blu-Ray is to Sony...and given that the PS3 is the unequivocal driving force behind the Blu-Ray effort (Blu-Ray still trails HD-DVD stand alone player sales by a significant margin), will Sony be forced to drop the price of the PS3 again before the holiday season ends?

As much as we know Sony would like to win the console war, they NEED to win the nextGen DVD war without question (much of the PS3 investment were justified by the presumption that they'd win the DVD war).

Do you guys think they are capable of dropping the price of the PS3 more or is this time for real concern at Sony?

Discuss this rather startling turn of events and how Sony can use its PS3 to respond.

Proof (for those that needed it):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931479&page=3

First of all, do you not remember that a price drop just occurred? Also, are you unaware that industry analysts, like Pachter, have said Sony will drop the price again in Spring?

There's a very good chance, even without the HD-DVD issue, that they'd be dropping the price anyway. Therefore, whats you point?

AND, you ignore the fact that there are stand-along blu-ray players that compete directly with the player you show. They will drop on price, for sure. PS3 doesn't have to.

PS3 ? No. ................ but entry level garbage blu-ray players = yes.

no. sony is too arrogant to acknowlege the threat... besides, they don't know whether to sell to gamers or movie watchers at this point.

i tried telling the cows that Walmart was going to push hd dvd...but noooooooo...:roll:

to bad Dire Weasel and the other bluray zealouts aren't still around.... :lol:

WOW! Dude thanks for the heads up on the $99 HD-DVD. That is a full set top box I thought you were talking about the 360 HD-DVD going down to $99. This is much better!

the price drop will pretty much level the playing field, so no sony doesnt have to do anything YET, however if the studios exclusive to blu-ray start goingdual formats or jumping to hd-dvd then they would have to significantly lower prices.

First of all, do you not remember that a price drop just occurred? Also, are you unaware that industry analysts, like Pachter, have said Sony will drop the price again in Spring?

There's a very good chance, even without the HD-DVD issue, that they'd be dropping the price anyway. Therefore, whats you point?

AND, you ignore the fact that there are stand-along blu-ray players that compete directly with the player you show. They will drop on price, for sure. PS3 doesn't have to.

The_Crucible

please list ANY bluray player at a big box retailer selling for $100...

or admit you made that up...;)

looks impresive, im a blu-ray fan myself but this could tip the balance in the HD camps favour. ANyone know the specs on that bad boy? Im guessing 720 p only?Superstrokey

Heres a link the the epec page for that HD-DVD Player.: Link

1080i is the max resolution.

woooow... thats crazy hddvd for 98 bucks??? thats 70 euro.. 100 euro Is OK too doesnt matter...

woow if it really was that cheap even I would buy it... shame that I dont expect europe getting the same deal..

First of all, do you not remember that a price drop just occurred? Also, are you unaware that industry analysts, like Pachter, have said Sony will drop the price again in Spring?

There's a very good chance, even without the HD-DVD issue, that they'd be dropping the price anyway. Therefore, whats you point?

The_Crucible

What are you going on about? Pachter predictions have nothing to do with the thread, of course sony will drop the price of the ps3 at some point. But will a $98 hd-dvd player force them to drop the price even more than they want to? Personally I dont think it will, the ps3 is still primarily a video game console after all. Most people bought the ps3 for games, not blu-ray movies.

First of all, do you not remember that a price drop just occurred? Also, are you unaware that industry analysts, like Pachter, have said Sony will drop the price again in Spring?

There's a very good chance, even without the HD-DVD issue, that they'd be dropping the price anyway. Therefore, whats you point?

AND, you ignore the fact that there are stand-along blu-ray players that compete directly with the player you show. They will drop on price, for sure. PS3 doesn't have to.

The_Crucible

1.) Yes, I'm aware the pricedrop just occured. This thead is about when and how Sony will respond to it in the future. Try to keep up.

2.) No, there wasn't a good change that they'd drop the price without the HD-DVD issue. Not as significantly as they might have been considering now.

3.) What Blu-Ray player competes directly with this unit at this price? Baby, this thing is priced to MOVE. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the least expensive Blu-Ray player is STILL the PS3. If not, it's awfully close (+- $10). And for those who don't want to buy a videogame console (for good, obvious reasons), I don't think there's a good Gen2 Blu-Ray player under $500.

So yea...what's competing with this?

[QUOTE="Superstrokey"]looks impresive, im a blu-ray fan myself but this could tip the balance in the HD camps favour. ANyone know the specs on that bad boy? Im guessing 720 p only?Nagidar

Heres a link the the epec page for that HD-DVD Player.: Link

1080i is the max resolution.

So?

[QUOTE="The_Crucible"]

First of all, do you not remember that a price drop just occurred? Also, are you unaware that industry analysts, like Pachter, have said Sony will drop the price again in Spring?

There's a very good chance, even without the HD-DVD issue, that they'd be dropping the price anyway. Therefore, whats you point?

kevy619

What are you going on about? Pachter predictions have nothing to do with the thread, of course sony will drop the price of the ps3 at some point. But will a $98 hd-dvd player force them to drop the price even more than they want to?

Sony is losing so much money. How can they afford another price drop.

Force Sony to drop PS3 price? No. Force Sony to drop Blu-ray Player's price? Yes

Toshiba is going to take over this HD war just like they did with the VHS. Flood the market with affordable players. Kmart recently dropped bluray support also.Deihmos

exactly...!!!!

pricing and brandingis key.

WHAT THE HELL?

$98 HD-DVD player? Are you serious? That is crazy... thats cheaper than some top of the line DVD players I have seen at some stores here.

Only thing I know the HD-DVD brand has that's positive in advantage is the ability to play your DVD collection so you can store or sell your DVD player or give it to a friend or relative. And if it's at $98 hell I would buy one but I ain't cause it's not something I need in terms of HD tv's and all that. It's not important to me right now. But yeah I don't think Sony can lower the price anymore if than the new price drop for $399.99 I dont know if they are even making money on this new price drop even but I know they wouldn't be if they had to drop it again.

[QUOTE="Superstrokey"]looks impresive, im a blu-ray fan myself but this could tip the balance in the HD camps favour. ANyone know the specs on that bad boy? Im guessing 720 p only?Nagidar

Heres a link the the epec page for that HD-DVD Player.: Link

1080i is the max resolution.

It's only $100-$200. For most people, they won't care about the i/p. It'll look sensational. We're talking about the casual market now.

I don't see how Sony can afford to keep dropping the PS3's price. They are already taking a huge hit on every PS3 sold and have doubled the projected forcast for losses on the next quarter. As for industry analysts, we've all seen how accurate they've been. Funny how when they say what people want them to say they are Nostradamus but when they don't tey are buffoons. :)blue_hazy_basic

We'll see what happens. I'd love to see them roll up their sleeves and drop the PS3 price lower. Just not sure what else they can shave off to make it less expensive. They already took of USB ports and backwards-compatability.

People, just to get this out there, the specs on the aforementioned HD-DVD player do not matter. The average consumer isn't going to care what it can and can't do. All they know is it's an HD-DVD player that only costs 100 bucks. This may be more influential than most of you think.musicalmac

also there is the fact that true movie enthusiast watch movies in 1080i because its 30 f is closer to movies 24 f. so you have a closer experiance as to what you had in the theature.

but when i read about this on cnet a few days ago i thought the price was 198? a miss print maybe?

[QUOTE="Nagidar"]

[QUOTE="Superstrokey"]looks impresive, im a blu-ray fan myself but this could tip the balance in the HD camps favour. ANyone know the specs on that bad boy? Im guessing 720 p only?mjarantilla

Heres a link the the epec page for that HD-DVD Player.: Link

1080i is the max resolution.

So?

He was asking for the specs on it, so I showed him. :?

Force Sony to drop PS3 price? No. Force Sony to drop Blu-ray Player's price? Yes

-L-U-I-S-

How low do you think they can/will go? I think the least expensive Sony Gen2 player is $499.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BDP-S300-1080p-Blu-ray-Player/dp/B000PALZE0/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3200186-3826345?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1193932603&sr=8-1

Frankly, I don't know if they want to get into that pricedrop war. I think they'd be better served dropping the PS3 price.

Toshiba is going to take over this HD war just like they did with the VHS. Flood the market with affordable players. Kmart recently dropped bluray support also.Deihmos

I don't know who will win but I DO know Sony remembers losing to VHS and how they were actually beating VHS in the begining but then lost anyway..so I don't see how they could let that happen again.

If this happens and makes a big impact then I really see Toshiba trying their hardest to get MS to do a HD-DVD version of the 360.

you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooTnasty11

AND, you ignore the fact that there are stand-along blu-ray players that compete directly with the player you show. They will drop on price, for sure. PS3 doesn't have to.

The_Crucible

they don't compete at that price range

you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooTnasty11

We also know that HD-DVD stand-alone players have been consistently outselling Blu-Ray stand-alone players. The X-factor thus far has been the PS3. It has been the least expensive, most accessible Blu-Ray player since the beginning. And since so much now rides on the shoulders of the PS3, it is logical to expect the biggest move to be made with the PS3.

I just don't see them dropping their stand-alone players from $500 to $200-$300. Do you?

[QUOTE="Tnasty11"]you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooPBSnipes

Are you kidding? How many agmes does the HD-DVd player play? What controllers does it use? What media are the games on?

What a joke.

[QUOTE="Tnasty11"]you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooPBSnipes

Sadly in Canada even though our dollar is higher that $98 HD-DVD will cost probably $872 here lol :p

[QUOTE="tango90101"][QUOTE="The_Crucible"]

First of all, do you not remember that a price drop just occurred? Also, are you unaware that industry analysts, like Pachter, have said Sony will drop the price again in Spring?

There's a very good chance, even without the HD-DVD issue, that they'd be dropping the price anyway. Therefore, whats you point?

AND, you ignore the fact that there are stand-along blu-ray players that compete directly with the player you show. They will drop on price, for sure. PS3 doesn't have to.

The_Crucible

please list ANY bluray player at a big box retailer selling for $100...

or admit you made that up...;)

I hate you Tango, I really do. Do you even read the full posts. or does your brain just have you scan them for words that fit your ignorant scheme?

Did I say there was a blu-ray stand-alone for $100? NO! i said that if wither were to drop price, a PS3 or stand-alone, it would be the stand-alone because it more of a direct competitor to the HD-DVD standalone.

And isn't it funny that you can buy a whole stand-alone HD-DVD player cheaper than MS sells you one for the 360?

so list the bluray player that "directly competes" with the sub $100 hd dvd player...

face it; you lied and got caught...again...:roll:

I hate you Tango, I really do. Do you even read the full posts. or does your brain just have you scan them for words that fit your ignorant scheme?

Did I say there was a blu-ray stand-alone for $100? NO! i said that if wither were to drop price, a PS3 or stand-alone, it would be the stand-alone because it more of a direct competitor to the HD-DVD standalone.

And isn't it funny that you can buy a whole stand-alone HD-DVD player cheaper than MS sells you one for the 360?

The_Crucible

You need to calm the hell down.

1.) You didn't make your post clear, or there would not have been price-related rebuttals to your commentary. Clear in YOUR HEAD =/= clear to everyone else. Think about that.

2.) What does that have to do with the topic? Damage control is an ugly, embarassing direction to take. Do not go down that road.

Srysly, responses like that are what get people kicked for a week.

People, just to get this out there, the specs on the aforementioned HD-DVD player do not matter. The average consumer isn't going to care what it can and can't do. All they know is it's an HD-DVD player that only costs 100 bucks. This may be more influential than most of you think.musicalmac

that's correct. also 720p/1080i isn't bad at all considering that's what all HD content they get from cable/satalite use also.

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"][QUOTE="Tnasty11"]you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooThe_Crucible

Are you kidding? How many agmes does the HD-DVd player play? What controllers does it use? What media are the games on?

What a joke.

how many games does a bluray player play? what kind of controller does it use? what media are the games on?

stop confusing standalone players with consoles... besides the ps3 still is hundreds more than the hd dvd players..;)

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"][QUOTE="Tnasty11"]you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooThe_Crucible

Are you kidding? How many agmes does the HD-DVd player play? What controllers does it use? What media are the games on?

What a joke.

People actually buy consoles to play movies? With this new low price i will definately be getting one this Christmas.

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"][QUOTE="Tnasty11"]you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooThe_Crucible

Are you kidding? How many agmes does the HD-DVd player play? What controllers does it use? What media are the games on?

What a joke.

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"][QUOTE="Tnasty11"]you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooThe_Crucible

Are you kidding? How many agmes does the HD-DVd player play? What controllers does it use? What media are the games on?

What a joke.

I think you totally missed his point. Let me help (because you're going a mile a minute and missing obvious things right now):

He was responding to the statement that Blu-Ray players are competitively priced. In that context:

1.) The PS3 is the least expensive Blu-Ray player on the market.

2.) looking at the PS3 purely as a Blu-Ray player purchase, it is being soundly beaten by this HD-DVD player deal.

That's all he was saying. If you're looking at the situation as teh PS3 being purely a movie player (since it is the cheapest player around, some people do pick it up for that very reason), you have to acknowledge the fact that it's not financially competing...yet.

Hence the thread. Will they drop its price? Because the DVD war is more important to Sony than the videogame war could ever be.

I don't think it will force them to drop the price right now.

But with Paramont going only HD (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20360863/)

And the recent rumors that Warner will go soley Hd-DVD (As they have already shown some priority to HD with titles like The Martix) it really has to cause Sony to sit back and think about what they want to do with their stand alone players.

I believe the 40GB PS3 is the cheapest Blu-Ray player that will be on the market that we know of, and its 399.99.

With a 99.99 HD Player it may cause Sony to run to the drawing board and build a 199.99 or 149.99 Blu-Ray Player, but I don't see them dropping the 40GB PS3 that much more within the next few months.

[QUOTE="The_Crucible"]

[QUOTE="PBSnipes"][QUOTE="Tnasty11"]you do know sony sell seperate blue-ray player tooDeihmos

Are you kidding? How many agmes does the HD-DVd player play? What controllers does it use? What media are the games on?

What a joke.

People actually buy consoles to play movies? With this new low price i will definately be getting one this Christmas.

My sarcasm detector is broken right now, so I have to answr your question directly:

Yes, SCORES of AV enthusiasts purchased PS3's because they were the cheapest and arguably the BEST Blu-Ray players on the market.

No interest in gaming; very interested in Blu-Ray.

This thread is just another example of the hypocrisy of the Sony-haters.

When the PS3 drops in price, it is a sign of pure desperation and damage control. The cost of components decreasing, or the removal of hardware features, doesn't matter at all.

But when HD-DVD drops to dirt cheap prices, HD-DVD is awesome, stimulating competition and poised to take over the market.

[QUOTE="Deihmos"]Toshiba is going to take over this HD war just like they did with the VHS. Flood the market with affordable players. Kmart recently dropped bluray support also.kcpp2b

I don't know who will win but I DO know Sony remembers losing to VHS and how they were actually beating VHS in the begining but then lost anyway..so I don't see how they could let that happen again.

If this happens and makes a big impact then I really see Toshiba trying their hardest to get MS to do a HD-DVD version of the 360.

With these kind of prices that would be pointless especially since most people don't buy consoles for movies. The price of the addon will decrease.

just to let some of you know i think this is a one-day sale i read it on the link i think its on page 5jessie5788

But yea, nobody is sure how long this will last. Maybe a day, maybe a week. Maybe while supplies last. Nobody is sure. But news is spreading like wildfire.