Panasonic to launch Blu-ray disc player in September in US - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

BGonaSTICK · 29-03-06, 05:16 PM

Panasonic said on Tuesday it will start selling a Blu-ray high-definition disc player in September for under $1,500 and sees up to 5 million of these new DVD players sold industry-wide in their first year.

"We think adoption will be strong, based on broad support. For the first 12 months, we expect 4 million to 5 million units to be sold beginning in May and across all platforms, including standalones, computers and gaming systems," said Reid Sullivan, vice president merchandising, Panasonic's entertainment group.

Sullivan said Panasonic sees no need to develop a player to support both Blu-ray and the rival format known as HD DVD, despite a raging war between the two standards and a move to make a dual player for both formats by LG Electronics Inc.

"Unfortunately, there is some confusion between the two but based on the wide support for Blu-ray in the industry, we expect the (growth) curve to be quite steep. We recognize that its best to have one format," said Sullivan.

The arrival of Panasonic's Blu-ray player will coincide around the debut of its new 103-inch flat screen TV, estimated to cost around $10,000.

"We're introducing technologies that will all tie in together to propel Blu-ray. The flat panel or plasma TV is the engine pulling the train," said Sullivan.

Panasonic's Blu-ray player will compete against other Blu-ray players from Samsung, Pioneer and Sony as well as players supporting rival HD DVD, championed by Toshiba.

The battle between the two formats has divided Hollywood and the computer industry and is being likened to the Betamax/VHS war of over 25 years ago, which led to customer confusion and widespread company losses.

While more Hollywood studios and electronics makers have sided with the Blu-ray camp, led by Sony, last fall Microsoft revived HD DVD when it said would support Toshiba's technology.

Microsoft is expected to introduce an external HD DVD drive that will turn the Xbox 360 into a high-definition DVD player.

Sony's much-anticipated PlayStation 3 game console will support Blu-ray and is expected to boost the install base for that format, although Sony recently delayed the debut of PS3 until early November.

Toshiba last week said it may delay the launch of its HD DVD player from March to mid-April.

By offering discs with far more capacity than current DVDs, the groups hope to breath new life into the $24 billion home video market.

Source: Reuters

Jimdefruit · 29-03-06, 05:23 PM

At that price, I will be sticking with my SD system.

No doubt the prices will tumble once things get moving.

BGonaSTICK · 29-03-06, 05:39 PM

Give it a coupla' years and there'll be Blu-ray players given away with the cornflakes :

It'll be more than interesting to see who wins, though I think this time Sony have got it right and Microsoft have backed a 3-legged donkey.

jaffer · 30-03-06, 10:20 PM

Customers are already confused with DVD -R & +R

Now it is Blu-ray and HD stuff.

Why cant they get to gether and share their knowledge and get the best out of them?

29-03-06, 05:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,627 Thanks: 3 Thanked 76 Times in 41 Posts	Panasonic to launch Blu-ray disc player in September in US Panasonic said on Tuesday it will start selling a Blu-ray high-definition disc player in September for under $1,500 and sees up to 5 million of these new DVD players sold industry-wide in their first year. "We think adoption will be strong, based on broad support. For the first 12 months, we expect 4 million to 5 million units to be sold beginning in May and across all platforms, including standalones, computers and gaming systems," said Reid Sullivan, vice president merchandising, Panasonic's entertainment group. Sullivan said Panasonic sees no need to develop a player to support both Blu-ray and the rival format known as HD DVD, despite a raging war between the two standards and a move to make a dual player for both formats by LG Electronics Inc. "Unfortunately, there is some confusion between the two but based on the wide support for Blu-ray in the industry, we expect the (growth) curve to be quite steep. We recognize that its best to have one format," said Sullivan. The arrival of Panasonic's Blu-ray player will coincide around the debut of its new 103-inch flat screen TV, estimated to cost around $10,000. "We're introducing technologies that will all tie in together to propel Blu-ray. The flat panel or plasma TV is the engine pulling the train," said Sullivan. Panasonic's Blu-ray player will compete against other Blu-ray players from Samsung, Pioneer and Sony as well as players supporting rival HD DVD, championed by Toshiba. The battle between the two formats has divided Hollywood and the computer industry and is being likened to the Betamax/VHS war of over 25 years ago, which led to customer confusion and widespread company losses. While more Hollywood studios and electronics makers have sided with the Blu-ray camp, led by Sony, last fall Microsoft revived HD DVD when it said would support Toshiba's technology. Microsoft is expected to introduce an external HD DVD drive that will turn the Xbox 360 into a high-definition DVD player. Sony's much-anticipated PlayStation 3 game console will support Blu-ray and is expected to boost the install base for that format, although Sony recently delayed the debut of PS3 until early November. Toshiba last week said it may delay the launch of its HD DVD player from March to mid-April. By offering discs with far more capacity than current DVDs, the groups hope to breath new life into the $24 billion home video market. Source: Reuters __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

29-03-06, 05:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,805 Thanks: 10 Thanked 120 Times in 111 Posts	Re: Panasonic to launch Blu-ray disc player in September in US At that price, I will be sticking with my SD system. No doubt the prices will tumble once things get moving. __________________ Dreambox 800 HD; Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreambox If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

29-03-06, 05:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,627 Thanks: 3 Thanked 76 Times in 41 Posts	Re: Panasonic to launch Blu-ray disc player in September in US Give it a coupla' years and there'll be Blu-ray players given away with the cornflakes : It'll be more than interesting to see who wins, though I think this time Sony have got it right and Microsoft have backed a 3-legged donkey. __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

30-03-06, 10:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
jaffer Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Panasonic to launch Blu-ray disc player in September in US Customers are already confused with DVD -R & +R Now it is Blu-ray and HD stuff. Why cant they get to gether and share their knowledge and get the best out of them? __________________ Every little helps and a little help goes a long way!


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