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07 November 2007

Broadcom announced today that LG has chosen the Broadcom BCM7440 for its new Super Blu BH200 disc player. This system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution is capable of playing back high-def content on both Blu-ray and HD DVD and offers support for interactive technologies like BD-Java and HDi.

Broadcom Corporation(Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wirelesscommunications, today announced that its highly integrated Blu-rayDisc(R)/HD DVD system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution has been selected by LGElectronics to power its dual-format Super Blu(TM) BH200 high definitiondisc player. By combining full support for both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVDformats in a single SoC, Broadcom enables leading consumer electronicsmanufacturers to build universal high definition players capable of playingback all high definition movie titles thereby increasing the highdefinition entertainment choices for consumers.

The Broadcom(R) BCM7440 SoC solution is a single-chip platform thatfully meets the requirements of next generation Blu-ray Disc and HD DVDplayer designs. It provides the multiple processing cores and the necessaryperformance required to support next generation interactive technologiesand network connected applications currently being developed by Hollywoodstudios using sophisticated BD-Java (Blu-ray Disc) and HDi (HD DVD)technologies. This includes enhanced interactive menus, gamingcapabilities, real time director's comments, and full support of networkedinteractivity from select and forthcoming Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD titles.The Broadcom BCM7440 SoC continues to be the only solution in the industrythat fully supports both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats in a singlemonolithic IC, providing consumers with exactly what the film's authors hadintended -- the best possible high definition multimedia experience.

If you'd like to read more, Broadcom's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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02 November 2007

With Toshiba slashing the price of their HD DVD players in time for the holiday season, Blu-ray fans have been looking to Sony, and other Blu-ray backers, expecting them to do the same. In a recent talk with TWICE, Stan Glasgow, president of Sony Electronics, indicated that price cuts are on the way. The company plans to cut the price of their $499 player to about $399 but doesn't expect to go much lower than that.

When asked about Blu-ray player pricing from Sony for the holiday season, Glasgow said it should be “in the $399 range ... I don’t expect it to go much lower than that.”

When asked where the industry is in the format battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD, he noted, “It continues. I still find it curious that there are 170 companies backing [Blu-ray] and two companies behind [HD DVD]. I find some abnormality in that. Hopefully when all the [movie] titles reach the market this season and the beginning of 2008, [consumers] will see the [difference] in performance.”

While its good to see that Sony is finally dropping the price of their players, they're going to need to do more if they want to compete with Toshiba. I really can't see the average consumer jumping on the Blu-ray bandwagon this holiday season when they can get an HD DVD player for $200-$300 less. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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07 November 2007

As most of you know, Walmart and Best Buy dropped the price of the Toshiba HD-A2 DVD Player to $99 last Friday. Unless you lived in Wisconsin (like me), where prices remained at $185, these players sold out in a matter of minutes. According to Video Business, this sale gave HD DVD's market share a major boost, with retailers selling more than 90,000 players between Friday and Sunday.

The HD DVD format significantly pumped its installed base over the weekend, as dueling store clearances sold an estimated 90,000 Toshiba players, according to sources close to retailers.

That tally covers Friday to Sunday sales of Toshiba’s second-generation HD-A2 model, which Wal-Mart and Best Buy sold for about $99 on Nov. 2. That’s $200 less than Toshiba’s $299 list price and $100 off widespread retail pricing of $199.

The $99 players made up most of the 90,000 units sold, a source said.

Blu-ray backers really need to get on the ball and cut the prices of their players. The holiday shopping season is already upon us and, with prices like this, consumers are going to go HD DVD. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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01 November 2007

Over the last week or so, we've seen a number of retailers drop the price of Toshiba's second-gen HD DVD player below $200. As if that wasn't cheap enough, Walmart will be offering the Toshiba HD-A2 this Friday for a mere $98.87.


Take note that this is an in-store special so it is unlikely that you'll be able to order the HD-A2 through Walmart's website at this price. Also, this price is not valid in Wisconsin, Oklahoma or Utah as it is illegal to sell items for less than cost in these states. According to the manager at my local Walmart, those that live in these states will be able to pick the player up for about $198.

Needless to say, there will probably be a mob of people outside of your local Walmart tomorrow morning. Be prepared to get there early and wait in line.

Update - Best Buy has also lowered the price of the HD-A2 down to $99.99. There doesn't appear to be a limitation for those, like myself, that live in Wisconsin either. Add a comment