Samsung Blu-ray player down to $569.99 (NEW) at Amazon

Wow you should post it at the HDDVD board

I heard Samsung will be lowering the MSRP by $100 this week...it must already be taking place.

Was that really necessary. We have enough of this crap on these forums.

Did/does the new firmware fix the issues with SD DVD?

Before Christmas I heard that Samsung will release their 2nd gen player in Q107.

The price drop does not surprise me, in fact the pricing strategy for both HD and BD has gone pretty much as any Business 101 course would dictate. In the stand alone devices, Toshiba is up against several players, so their strategy had to be 1st to market, and penetration pricing, so that they can establish a solid install base before BD hit the market. And so far, their strategy appears to have been working.

On the BD side, the only player on the market for any reasonable length of time, at least in Canada has been the Samsung player. As the BD players have to compete with each other as well as the Toshiba HD. Samsung's strategy was one of skimming, take as much profit as they can, while the rest of the BD camp try's to enter the market, Now that Sony, Pioneer and Panasonic are starting to show up in sufficient numbers on the market, Samsung can start to lower their prices. And I suspect the rest will follow suit shortly. Especially as they too start to announce G2 products for 2007.

I suspect that the price gap between BD and HD will quickly close as 2007 progresses, We will see entry level pricing and high end units from both sides.

Actually it's been at this price for many weeks now. I suspect it will drop even more. Afterall, it's got to be as inexpensive or less than the Toshiba HD-A2 to be competitive.

Well, the Samsung had it's fair share of issues before the firmware updates too you know, so I think the comparison on price is pretty valid.

I have some weirdo pride that I use both 1st gen players a lot and they are both working out well for me. HD-A1 and BD-P1000 respectfully.

I'd love to jump onto the blu-ray hi-def fray, but even at Amazon's price, it still strikes me as overpriced.
For an average family man like me, the magic price point would have to come down to $200 or less before I begin supporting the format.

So far, I'm holding off trying HD-DVD, but by x-mas 07, they'd better have players at low enough prices or I may have no choice but to consider the red team in order to feed my 47" Westy some HD.

I dont have any problems with audio using the A2...the A1 I had did have some lip synch and skipping issues, but the A2 has been completely flawless for me. Great player!

I have been watching the Samsung and waiting for it to get around this price as I might pull the trigger on it pretty soon. The Samsung doesnt have support for decoding any of the new audio formats does it? What will I be missing with the Samsung? I am kind of waiting on CES to see what is announced, but since the price is getting pretty good, it would be nice to go format neutral. I just want to make sure I am getting a good player.

Ron

Samsung BDP1000 is now back up to $599 @ Amazon.

You probably want to stay away from the Samsung for now. At least until Secrets Of Home Theater publishes an up to date review with the new firmware. They didn't think too highly of it in their DVD Benchmark. They called it one of the worst SD DVD players they've ever seen. Unless you don't care about it's SD capabilities. The PS3 seems like a better bet for the money.

Samsung BDP1000 now $799 @ Amazon.

Got it for $600.00 and also have the Tosh a1 .. now don't care about the sh*tty format war!!

I would expect to see several lower priced BR players at the CES next week. Don't be surprised to see a player at $499 and see a Toshiba at $399 or even $299. Expect prices to start to come down fast.

I picked up my Sammy from Amazon for the $569.99, to my doorstep, shipping was free. Going to get it wired up today.

New Samsung 2nd Generation Blu-Ray player release at CES in a week: Engadget blog has preposted an announcement for the new Sammy: http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/04/s...player-at-ces/. No wonder the old Sammy is cheap. Keep posted to Engadget during CES for updates on new high-def player launches and matching audio receivers. G. L. Dybwad, ABQ, NM

I purchased the Samsung at Best Buy a couple of days ago for the Amazon price. BB will price match Amazon. I had seen it on Amazon for $569 but it was back up to $599 on Wednesday. I see today it is down to $589.

That is a great price to be able to jump into the BD market!

Or just buy it on eBay for $479. NEW and unopened