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Sony's New Blu-Ray Player: PS3 Alternative?

by CodeMonkey| Published: Tuesday, February 27 @ 12:35:24 EST

Sony has recently announced a Blu-Ray player for USD $599.00, the same price as a PlayStation 3...

This new Blu-Ray player, the BPD-S300 should hit stores in the Summer (in North America at least) and will compete against the PlayStation 3 for next-generation Blu-Ray playing. If you're looking to get into a real Blu-Ray experience without the bells and whistles (and gaming) on the PlayStation 3 this might be a good alternative.

"The BDP-S300 will go on sale early this summer and is priced the same as the recently released PlayStation 3. The previous model BDP-S1 currently retails for US $999."

One must wonder, "is this a marketing tactic?" Why would we purchase a BDP-S300 for USD $599 when we can get a PlayStation 3 for the same price? Perhaps Sony is using this product to show the alternatives and their lack of additional features?

Would Sony mass produce a product in order to boost sales of the PlayStation 3 as the better alternative? Or are they really trying to satisfy customer demand for a game-less Blu-Ray player?

source:
gamesindustry.biz evilavatar.com

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Reader Comments

Anything? (Score: 1)

Posted By LostSkeleton73 on Tuesday, February 27 @ 13:17:00 EST
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Maybe this is Sony's way to improve the sales of Blu-Ray tech without having the panned PS3 name attached to it? I don't believe it's about the features, I believe it's simply a 2-pronged attack to ensure they can make up sales, and push that tech upwards.

Smart move (Score: 1)

Posted By Falelorn on Tuesday, February 27 @ 13:59:25 EST
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Sony could win the high def war if MS and the other pro-HD-DVD crowd doesnt do something quick

I don't buy it (Score: 1)

Posted By codemonkey on Tuesday, February 27 @ 14:12:26 EST
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The HD-DVD players are already cheaper than either of Sony's (or others) bluray solutions.

All they need is a few weeks of hot selling titles (Lord of The Rings or something) and everyone will ooh and ahhh HDDVD.

CodeMonkey

ya, but where are the HD-DVD titles? (Score: 1)

Posted By Falelorn on Tuesday, February 27 @ 14:13:46 EST
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lord of the rings is over a year away.. unless New Line hurrys up

Sony is flooding the market with titles.. HD-DVD just seems to get less and less.

It's a format war (Score: 1)

Posted By codemonkey on Tuesday, February 27 @ 14:15:49 EST
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And, with many wars, there is a back and forth motion. Like Intel vs. AMD. I am not determining a winner like some publications are because BluRay had one or two good months because they put out titles first.

We'll see how it goes, but I agree, if HD-DVD doesn't fill next quarter with hot titles there will be a problem. And my inner child will die a little.

DIE INNER CHILD DIE (Score: 1)

Posted By Falelorn on Tuesday, February 27 @ 14:43:17 EST
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ya Im with you there, id rather have HD-DVD over blu-ray just because of price, and I dont trust the PS3 right now..

Untitled (Score: 1)

Posted By darththorn on Tuesday, February 27 @ 16:57:25 EST
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I just don't see the point in paying for this new technology, to me regular DVD's look just fine.

I agree (Score: 1)

Posted By Nomad on Wednesday, February 28 @ 13:45:12 EST
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I don't see the point either. Yes I know the movies and games look awesome but some of us can't afford it and I honestly don't need to until I have to. I don't have an HD set but mine is a flat screen tube (2 years old) that IMO looks awesome. No its not HD but oh well suits me fine.

Plus i'll never own a PS3 hearing all the crap thats going on with that thing. Blu-Ray though...who knows...few years down the road if its still there I might pick it up, when I get an HDTV, if thats what I need to get i'll get it, if HD-DVD is whats out i'll get that, I could honestly care less who is making my DVDs at that point.

But for now? 600 bucks for something to watch dvd movies on is freakin pathetic and just plain grossly expensive to me.

HD is better, but... (Score: 1)

Posted By VTDogster on Friday, March 02 @ 08:06:42 EST
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Maybe it's because I work with imaging and displays, but there is a significant difference between 480p and 1080p (or even 720p and 1080i). It is especially noticable when you blow your TV up to 55".

That being said, the $1,000 price tag from before was ludicrous, and $600 is still more than I'd pay for a movie player. ESPECIALLY if the format war is on and with the general lack of titles availalbe.

For me, it has to be $200 or less with the knowledge that the format won't fold.

As for HD TV's, the prices are coming down, and they make the 360 really shine.

My guess... (Score: 1)

Posted By KillerOfAllEnemies on Tuesday, February 27 @ 21:31:59 EST
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these are just relabeled PS3s. Notice the PS3 in the model number. Some guy somewhere is frantically stenciling in a BD and a couple of zeroes. If they won't sell as a game console maybe they'll sell as DVD players.

Just jesting, but not sure what Sony is trying to accomplish with this device at this price point.

/boggle

Combo Player (Score: 1)

Posted By CureMode on Wednesday, February 28 @ 08:56:14 EST
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There is a combo player for just under $1000 that does both formats. For me until there is a player for under $100, that plays both, I am not interested in either format.

Thanks
CureMode

Untitled (Score: 1)

Posted By snahfu on Wednesday, February 28 @ 13:53:32 EST
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So Sony was originally defending the PS3 by saying that you're getting a cheap Blu Ray player for just $600 included with the console.

Then they go and release a stand alone Blu Ray for $600. Funny stuff.

Reason behind this? They really want to push the BR technology and the only way they're doing that is through market share. The PS3 isn't winning the market share war right now so now they release stand alone BR players in order to entice more consumers to adopt BR.

Sony seems to have much akin to the Titanic at the moment.

Sony Sony Sony... what a shame (Score: 1)

Posted By Cold on Sunday, March 04 @ 21:04:38 EST
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Seems to be a lame attempt by Sony. They want another blu-ray on the market to steer us into thinking that blu-ray won't wash out to be next beta-max... I may be dumb, but not... that... what was I saying... oops, gotta go, just burnt my tounge on a lightbulb.

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