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Samsung unveils the first second generation Blu-ray player: BD-P1200
Samsung launched the first Blu-ray player, the BD-P1000, last year and is first into the breach again with its second generation player, the BD-P1200. Featuring HDMI 1.3 (with CEC to control other devices, just like some of LG's new HDTVs), and DTS audio support the player will launch in March with a price of only $799, compared to the $999 launch price of the previous version. Samsung also confirmed the unit will feature an HQV processor for clear images, but no word on if it is the same process used in Toshiba's HD-XA2, or if 1080p24 will be an available option at launch. Check our live coverage of the press conference for more information.
Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player stealth price drop?
Considering that lower priced high definition players are pretty much exactly what we've been asking for, we're a little surprised by the stealthiness of this one. Samsung's BD-P1000 Blu-ray player launched with a price of $999 but as some of our eagle-eyed commenters have pointed out, you can find it for considerably less. Several international reports have mentioned the US retail price of the unit as $800, although no change in the MSRP has been announced by Samsung. While it did show up for only $730 on Amazon.com yesterday, today the retail price displays as $799.99, with a list price of $899.99. Circuit City's website displays an on sale price of $899. Best Buy, Tweeter and Crutchfield don't appear to have gotten the memo and still show the original price. Whatever the reason for the price difference, the fact is you can get a player that --- probably -- plays 50GB Blu-ray discs for the same price as the high end Toshiba HD-XA1 (or not, it's currently going for $687 on Amazon) HD DVD player. With improved movie releases on the way and a quickly closing price gap, Blu-ray may be ready to take the lead from HD DVD sooner than any of us thought.
Sharp & Corning expand LCD production
After stumbling in the race to dominate LCDs due to a lack of production capacity, it appears Sharp is doing something about it. Corning has announced plans to expand an existing plant later this year, as well as an agreement to supply Sharp with 40" LCD screens. Also of note is that they are calling these new screens the most "environmentally-friendly" LCD glass on the market.The flat panel market continues the go big or go home trend, but have we seen the 32" LCD for $799 yet? (Actually, it appears there are a few.)
