Sony announced in February that it planned to ship its
second-generation Blu-ray Disc player at $599.99 this summer – but before the
product has even hit the market, the manufacture slashed the product’s price by
$100. The BDP-300 is now officially set
for $499.99, a price at half of what players cost at Blu-ray’s
introduction.
When Blu-ray Disc players first hit the market, be it either
the Samsung
BD-P1000 or the Sony
BDP-S1, they were selling for $999.99. Of course, when the PlayStation 3 hit,
one could buy a 20GB machine capable of playing the new, high-def media for
half that $499.99. Sony later discontinued the 20GB PS3, but
even the $599.99 60GB machine was cheaper than any standalone Blu-ray player.
Samsung also dropped prices for its second-generation offering, the BD-P1200, which
comes in at $799.99.
The Sony BDP-300, at $499.99, will finally be the cheapest
way to get into Blu-ray Disc players without buying one that comes with a
gaming component. The move is likely a good one both for Sony’s electronics and
gaming divisions. Those who were buying a PS3 for its Blu-ray movie
capabilities, without any plans on buying any gaming software, were hurting
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.’s bottom line, as it is well publicized that
the PS3 consoles are sold
at a loss.
In April, a Sony subsidiary said that it was able to increase production of
blue-violet laser diodes used in Blu-ray drives. The production jump and
lowering prices of components were likely at play for new price of Sony’s
player. The BDP-300 is shipping to retailers this week.
