Memorex is launching a Blu-ray player for under $270 in November. The MVBD-2510 model features Bonus View Profile 1.1. not the more advanced Profile 2.0, so owners will not be able to download extra content from the Internet. The player supports 1080p with frame rates of 24p or 60p, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio decoding and bit stream output, as well as Master Audio bit stream output.

Better still. In its 2008 Black Friday Predictions, dealnews.com foresees Blu-ray players to hit the market with a $149 pricetag. Also, like last year, it expects some retailers will take the package approach, bundling a low-end name-brand (Sony, Samsung, or Philips) Blu-ray player with several Blu-ray titles for $199. dealnews.com believes better BD titles will retail at $9.99, the price point already reached by some catalogue titles.

This news is at odd with recent statements by Andy Parsons, chairman of the Blu-ray Disc Association, who is quoted as saying he does not expect Blu-ray prices to go down any time soon. "There's not enough market to lower the price," Parsons told PC World at the World DisplaySearch/NPD HDTV conference in Los Angeles. Parsons says consumer awareness and eventually demand are key factors before selling any Blu-ray products at a lower price.

Story filed 20.09.08