Steep Price Cuts in Blu-Ray/HD DVD by 2nd Half of 2007?


Digtimes reports that Blu-Ray and HD DVD recorders/players are likely to fall below the $US500 retail mark during the second half of 2007.

Drive prices at retail have now fallen to between $US399-$470, driven by Samsung and Toshiba, which have reduced the price of the drives by up to 48%.

$500 is regarded as a 'consumer' price point; last year, home Blu-Ray and HD DVD recorders retailed between $US 800 and $1,000. Toshiba has led the charge with an entry-level HD DVD player, the HD-E1, which has a retail price of $499.

Analysis: Critical mass. Once the players/recorders become more widespread, the number of movies and blanks available in both formats will proliferate and, of course, come down in price. If the reductions continue at this pace, Apple should be able to at least offer Blu-Ray as an option on its systems.