ezGear gets in the Blu-ray game with the BluCobra Blu-ray Disc Player

If you were hoping that another no-name company would release a $400 Blu-ray player, then today is your lucky day as ezGear is very proud to share the details of its BluCobra Blu-ray Disc Player. The BluCobra -- love the name btw -- features 7.1 analog outputs, SACD, TrueHD, DTS-HD HR&MA and the cutting edge profile 1.1, otherwise known as Bonus View. Luckily Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic can rest easy until at least March when this beast is scheduled hits the streets. Oh, and just a little prediction, no way the BluCobra will sell for its MSRP.

[Qasim @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:27PM]

I'm glad I have a Ps3

[Almo @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:31PM]

Absolutely! Seconded.

[Flashpoint @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:33PM]

Every time I see the words "Blu ray Player", i think to myself..."didn't PS3 already settle this?"

#1 You get a Blu Ray Player with 7.1 Tru HD sound and updates via Wifi/ethernet as they are released
#2 You get a basic web browser
#3 You get a game system (regrettably with fewer exclusive titles than Xbox 360)
#4 its the SAME $399 and some stores give you the media remote free when you buy a system.


Frankly, now that HDDVD is dead...Blu Ray doesn't interest me that much. Not when regular DVD's are $4 ($15 for new releases) and Blu Ray's still cost over $25

[ddd @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:35PM]

@Flashpo

Actually the PS3 gets more exclusives these days, and the generaly quality of games is much better, no Shovelware on PS3, just solid titles.

[Jeff P. @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:37PM]

@ Flashpoint

Blah, blah, blah, blah...
What's that freeking buzzing sound in my ear?

Don't you have a life?

[oGMo @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:42PM]

Eh.. after watching BD, low-def DVD doesn't really cut it anymore. It's OK for old TV shows (I just got the MASH collection which looks far better on DVD than on TV, but BD is unlikely to improve on that much), but not much else.

Not to mention that just on *capacity* it wins. Entire Firefly series: 3 discs. That's in high def. I imagine if they'd put MASH on Blu-Ray rather than DVD it would have been on fewer than *36* discs.

[Sean @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:46PM]

Flashpoint, you just gave information that every reader at engadget knows, its a given and is not need to be repeated. And no one gives a S**t if yblu-ray does not interest you and for the LAST TIME, you can buy blu-ray movies for under 25 if you look hard enough. I have found some new releases for 20 bucks. Do us all a favor and just buy what you think you hate. In reality you just are paranoid about going HD.

[BlurMagic @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:51PM]

I use my PS3 solely for watching BluRay movies. And upconverting. I play games on my 360, and the Wii is just there to embarass my parents and their lack of hand eye coordination. I really don't see why anyone would buy a standalone BluRay player. Unless they are just. plain. silly.

[polvadis @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:11PM]

@BlurMagic

Why would a stand alone player be silly? Right before Christmas Best Buy has 4 main brand players for $249. For someone looking only to play movies, wouldn't $150 in savings be a better option? I'm slowly gearing up for a player, but will give it a few more months to see if BluRay is really gonna fail or not. HDDVD is out of the picture, sure, but looks like BluRay isn't doing all that great either.

[Knee to the Groin @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:47PM]

I cracked open my Samsung 1500 and it simply uses a Blu-Ray SATA Drive, little red cable and all. I could hook up the little bugger to my PC no problem...

[KilgoreTrout @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:32PM]

@ Jeff P
Flashpoint was giving his opinion about the device/technology in question, which is why engadget (miserable) commenting system exists and why people sometimes bother to read the comments.
Or maybe were you looking for the "First!" , "that's what she said" "will it play/will it bland" etc, comments?

[Jeff P. @ Jan 7th 2009 8:25PM]

@Kilgore Trout
Not at all. It's just that no matter what the topic, his comments tend to be the same. This reduces it to nothing more than an incessant buzzing in my ears. Like a broken record if you get my drift. Also, I make it a point to NEVER reply to "First, will it blend or any other moronic post. Won't do it.

[Arex @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:28PM]

Now if it were in the shape of a cobra, $400 for the profile 1.1 player would be a STEAL!

[Sk8rman @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:04PM]

then it wouldn't just sting your wallet

[DBrim @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:33PM]

...I was not aware that Cobras stung people.

[Almo @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:32PM]

This will eventually be the crappy no-name brands they give away for free with purchases of new TVs..

[Qasim @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:40PM]

@ Flashpoint

What Have You Done! The Fanboys Will Hunt You Down!








P.S (Ps3 Has Better Exclusives - Tee-Hee!!!)

[--------- @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:50PM]

I'm still never gunna buy a Blu-Ray player.

OK, maybe when a profile 2.0 or newer player can be had for $99, and Sony has filed for bankruptsy...

[D Mytty @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:54PM]

The Blu Cobra universal player could give Oppo a run for it's money if you only use HD material over HDMI (eliminating the need for great DAC's and upscaling). SACD support is nothing to sneeze at if the Cobra also includes DVD-Audio. Of course, profile 2.0 is quite necessary as well.

Bottom line...If you don't like gaming but do like SACD/DVD-A then the PS3 holds no appeal. Oppo would probably be worth the extra $100...but if Cobra makes the price difference $200 then I think they'll effectively undercut Oppo.

[diogovans @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:24PM]

Actually new PS3's can't do SACD

(please don't kill me i actually have a PS3... but i am trying to get the facts straight)

[Chris @ Jan 2nd 2009 6:57PM]

That's a rediculas price! I bought an Insignia Blu-ray player for $99 at BestBuy (the devil store) on boxing day here in Canada. I have always told myself I would never buy a blu-ray player if it was significantly less than $200 (Canadian) or unless it came out as an addon for the Xbox 360.

[mmmbud @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:04PM]

"Oh, and just a little prediction, no way the BluCobra will sell for it's MSRP"

"it's MSRP"?

I'm not a native speaker but I think that's not right.

[George @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:13PM]

What exactly are you saying?

[sua @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:18PM]

That the apostrophe should go.

[George @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:20PM]

I am a native speaker and I am pretty sure that this is a comment board and no one really gives a damn.

[Seth Chabot @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:54PM]

MSRP = Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price

[nikster @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:23PM]

BluRay is about as exciting as a betamax VCR. Get a WD TV and download H.264.

[scarface4832 @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:32PM]

Is it ironic that the player is playing a DVD? (look closely at the picture)

[Spencer @ Jan 2nd 2009 7:49PM]

We ARE the Globo Gym BluCobras... and we will, we will, rock you!

[UnnDunn @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:08PM]

I thought Profile 2.0 players were going to be made mandatory by now. Wonder whatever happened to that idea.

[Wesley Hester @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:37PM]

I have a launch PS3 60GB (120GB now) that a watch Blu-ray on but I'm still in the market for a stand-alone. I'm looking seriously at the up coming Oppo Digital BDP-83 Blu-ray player.

[Frank @ Jan 3rd 2009 7:59AM]

Waiting for a below $300 PS3.