Sharp's BD-HP20S: a (cheap?) no-nonsense Blu-ray Disc player

Somebody, somewhere has to get their hyperbole under control when calling this Sharp's "first" Blu-ray player. Fact is, we've already seen the Sharp BD-MPC70, BD-HD1000, BD-MPC10, BD-HP1 (hint: BD = Blu-ray Disc) devices. Now if what they mean is that it only plays Blu-ray discs (no recorder, no receiver, etc), well, why even bother? Regardless, their new BD-HP20S is expected to ship in the fall and features HDMI 1.3 output in support of Dolby TrueHD's raw bitstream form. It will also feature a "Quick Start" option which plays newly inserted discs in just seconds. As a stand-alone player, we do expect it to be Sharp's cheapest -- now that's noteworthy.

[Via Blu-ray.com, thanks Dave]

[NHAnimator @ Jul 6th 2007 9:29AM]

It's obvious that the prices on these things will continue to plummet. We WILL see units under $200 within a year or so.

My biggest concern is the price of the movies. I have a huge problem paying $30 a pop.

[cduran01 @ Jul 6th 2007 9:40AM]

Just one word....Amazon

[Neon @ Jul 6th 2007 9:56AM]

I agree, the price of Blu-Ray movies is ridiculous. I would buy more if they price point were better.

[Mike @ Jul 6th 2007 1:40PM]

Look for MovieStop locations in your area. They have used BD's at great prices and even discount some of the new titles.

Used discs are all over eBay, too.

The local Fry's was offering a sizable selection of BD's @ 2 for $25.

[LordPaul @ Jul 6th 2007 1:55PM]

That's a lot cheaper than DVDs were when they first came out.

In fact, I had to get my first-gen DVDs imported from the US in 1997 and was paying between 30-50 quid per disc (at that point around 70-120 dollars)

Granted, the quality increase between VHS & DVD was considerably greater, but there's not a chance I'll pay more than 20 quid ($40 inc tax) for a standard release new disc, HD or otherwise nowadays - maybe if they ever bother to utilise the next=gen features & release a super special edition of some of the films I want to buy

[Interested Watcher @ Jul 6th 2007 11:12AM]

How come they are always so coy about the prices?

[TheBigB @ Jul 6th 2007 12:07PM]

Because not everyone's rich...

[Ralph @ Jul 6th 2007 12:20PM]

Agreed on the price point of discs; eventually they will come down. But for now, just get a Netflix account and rent. It's like a subscription service; you now own every Blu-ray disc (um, non-pron) ever made, and you pay Netflix a nominal fee to store them and ship them to you when you're ready to watch them.

[Evan @ Jul 6th 2007 12:46PM]

"It will also feature a "Quick Start" option which plays newly inserted discs in just seconds."

How is something that any $50 DVD player can do, considered a "feature"? That's not a feature, that's just the way it should work.

[SimbaDogg @ Jul 6th 2007 2:54PM]

Umm...trying to compare those two would be the equivalent of saying "why doesn't this Model T Ford need to be cranked to start it, I just hope in my Honda Accord and drive away...Model Ts stink..."
you're looking @ one product that is very matured in its life cycle, another one which has only just begun.

[Evan @ Jul 6th 2007 4:26PM]

SimbaDogg, it would be more like Honda introducing a new Accord that needs to be cranked to start. It's a step backwards, we've become used to cars and DVD players that start immediately.

BluRay is intended to replace DVD. These BluRay players are supposed to be newer and better than standard DVD players. But in some respects, they feel like a step backwards! Long startup times... no DivX support... In all aspects besides the resolution of the image, BluRay players are in the dark ages!

[Andrew @ Jul 6th 2007 7:36PM]

@Evan

Actually it's more like a Honda Accord V6 getting less mpg than an I4. It offers features (Power/HD Content) that the other doesn't, but for the mean time sacrifices some things for it.

[tekdroid @ Jul 8th 2007 12:45AM]

Evan @ Jul 6th 2007 4:26PM
Long startup times... no DivX support... In all aspects besides the resolution of the image, BluRay players are in the dark ages!
---------
Which is part of the reason why the DVD is not going to die anytime soon.