CES 2008 Central Thread - Put Everything Here Please-

[Lee Stewart]

Here is some more info on the 8002:

The BD8002 will be showcased at the company's CES 2008 Open House at Mandalay Bay, and is scheduled for release in in the second quarter of 2008.

Anyone know what the ETA is on the Denon?

[hippy fascist]

So once again, these BD player's only really selling point is audio capabilities that the average BD owner doesn't have a reciever capable of decoding...

[Cowboy X]

Originally Posted by hippy fascist

So once again, these BD player's only really selling point is audio capabilities that the average BD owner doesn't have a reciever capable of decoding...

Don't the top players claim to be able to do the decoding and then pass onto the receiver? Because then one would not need a receiver that can decode the particular format, all it would have to do is accept the signal and send it to the appropriate speakers as instructed by the player.

Am I right or wrong.

[hippy fascist]

Originally Posted by Cowboy X

Don't the top players claim to be able to do the decoding and then pass onto the receiver? Because then one would not need a receiver that can decode the particular format, all it would have to do is accept the signal and send it to the appropriate speakers as instructed by the player.

Am I right or wrong.

If a reciever cannot supply 7.1 channels of audio it doesn't matter what signal you send it, it will still output in 5.1

This of course assumes people have recievers and aren't simply running their audio through their TV (I'd bet my player that the majority of blu-ray fans fall into this camp despite spouting off about their amazing audio options )

[Cowboy X]

Originally Posted by hippy fascist

If a reciever cannot supply 7.1 channels of audio it doesn't matter what signal you send it, it will still output in 5.1

This of course assumes people have recievers and aren't simply running their audio through their TV (I'd bet my player that the majority of blu-ray fans fall into this camp despite spouting off about their amazing audio options )

Granted but again once one has a 7.1 receiver one should still be able to get the goodies. I have a 7.1 Denon speaker system on the way and hope to buy the Onkyo 605, if push comes to shove I will go cheaper on the receiver for now and get a one that will allow the pre-decoded 7.1 to 'pass through'.

[hippy fascist]

and that onkyo reciever will set you back how much?

Around $600

The average blu-ray owner is probably in their early 20's (ps3 demographic). At university (or just having graduated) and up to their eyeballs in debt. Audio options are not going to have any major impact on this war because MOST people can't utilise them.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by hippy fascist

and that onkyo reciever will set you back how much?

Around $600

The average blu-ray owner is probably in their early 20's (ps3 demographic). At university (or just having graduated) and up to their eyeballs in debt. Audio options are not going to have any major impact on this war because MOST people can't utilise them.

This seems to be the trend and Sony doesn't seem to realize it. Who cares about lossless if you don't have the correct equipment to maximize and then to get it you have to spend the amount you spent on a BD player. Also, I think a lot of those early 20s folks bought the PS3 as a gaming platform and then said what is this Blu Ray logo for and then either didn't care or eventually worked it out.

[MikeRox]

Originally Posted by hippy fascist

So once again, these BD player's only really selling point is audio capabilities that the average BD owner doesn't have a reciever capable of decoding...

Now now, chris says at least 50% of PS3 owners have lossless capable audio equipment.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by MikeRox

Now now, chris says at least 50% of PS3 owners have lossless capable audio equipment.

Must be that third job on top of working at Best Buy and Taco Bell.

[Super XP]

Originally Posted by hippy fascist

and that onkyo reciever will set you back how much?

Around $600

The average blu-ray owner is probably in their early 20's (ps3 demographic). At university (or just having graduated) and up to their eyeballs in debt. Audio options are not going to have any major impact on this war because MOST people can't utilise them.

No, more like $350 to $400 - The Onkyo 605 is the "BEST" Digital Receiver for Price/Performance/Features on the Planet right now.

[Deja Vu]

Originally Posted by Super XP

No, more like $350 to $400 - The Onkyo 605 is the "BEST" Digital Receiver for Price/Performance/Features on the Planet right now.

A little off topic. I notice you live in Canada like me. I am interested in this receiver - where can I get one in Canada (Amazon won't ship to Canada) for the price you quote?

Thanks,

Grant

[bruceames]

As much as it's nice to have a 'put everything here' thread about CES, it's just far too big an event and needs more breathing room. I'm sure when it starts there will be individual threads for every important news event that emerges. That's the way it should be.

[Cowboy X]

Originally Posted by hippy fascist

and that onkyo reciever will set you back how much?

Around $600

The average blu-ray owner is probably in their early 20's (ps3 demographic). At university (or just having graduated) and up to their eyeballs in debt. Audio options are not going to have any major impact on this war because MOST people can't utilise them.

I am not arguing with you here.

[Lee Stewart]

Pioneer plans pricey new players

JAN. 4 | Pioneer captures less than 5% of current Blu-ray hardware market share, but the manufacturer is committed to playing in its limited, high-end niche.

Other BD manufacturers, such as Sony and Samsung, are rushing to slash prices to below $300. Toshiba HD DVD players have dipped to below $100. But Pioneer is aiming to stay above the fray with its current $999 BDP-95 model, and the company will start talking about upcoming, even pricier players at the Consumer Electronics Show next week.

Choosing to keep details under wraps, Chris Walker, senior manager of product planning and marketing at Pioneer, said the company will launch several players, some less expensive and some more expensive, in 2008. The company also will launch its first BD Live, or Web-enabled, hardware next year.

Pioneer actually produces more set-top BD players than any other company, charging a manufacturing fee on these products, which are sold under different, undisclosed brand names. Yet players stamped with the Pioneer brand currently barely register at retail, where Toshiba, Sony and Samsung comprised 97% of all high-def standalone sales during the week of Black Friday ending Nov. 24, according to DisplaySearch. Fighting within that remaining 3% are such other BD manufacturers as Pioneer, Philips, Sharp and Panasonic.

Still, Pioneer will continue running unique arthouse TV spots to emphasize its elite appeal. The spots began in September to launch Pioneer’s hyper-pricey Kuro line of high-def TVs, in which one of the more popular sets is the $7,500 60-inch plasma model.

“We don’t want to compete at $299, and I truly believe there are enough customers out there for a higher performance player,” said Walker. “When you’re competing at the lower price points, I don’t know if you can make any money. And we are a smaller [company] than Sony and Samsung. [Also], if people are spending all this money on a perfect Pioneer TV set, the last thing they are going to want to do is connect up to a $99 high-def player.”

He added, “I guarantee our products just look like they are worth more. Consumers will know it’s a better product and will be willing to pay more.”

CE critics do agree with Panasonic’s quality claims, with Business Week describing the BDP-95 as the best optical disc player in 2007, noted Walker. Also, Consumer Reports had Pioneer’s earlier model, the BDP-94, tied with Toshiba’s HD-XA2 as best high-def player.

The company does believe the current TV campaign, created by Apple’s company TWA Chiat Day, has increased sales of its TVs and BD players.

“We are seeing surges,” said Walker, who declined to specify further.

Fitting Pioneer’s desire to remain a distinct CE company, the Kuro ads are considered different from most electronics ads, which mostly show people enjoying the products. Pioneer’s black-and-white spots are crafted like a Salvador Dali-esque ode to surrealism. For example, one ad features an eye popping out of someone’s hands.

“We are attracting attention to the Pioneer brand through a little shock tactic,” said Walker. “The only time you see the products are at the end. We don’t talk about specifications and don’t talk about the technical details. We mainly wanted to get an emotional response from the ads. This is branding that moves Pioneer out of the commodity market and elevates us to be perceived as higher performance.”

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6517157.html

[Bravestime]

Originally Posted by bruceames

As much as it's nice to have a 'put everything here' thread about CES, it's just far too big an event and needs more breathing room. I'm sure when it starts there will be individual threads for every important news event that emerges. That's the way it should be.

I agree. there are going to be so many post about different subjects that it's going to be hard read about one subject without going through alot of off topic posts.