Taiwan-based disc drive makers expect production costs of BD players to gradually drop to US$50 in 2010, according to local industry sources. These same sources say that currently the production cost of a BD player starts at approximately $100, with pick-up heads and chipsets accounting for 50% and 25% respectively.
With more and more makers of the two key components and increasing yield rates, production costs are expected to keep decreasing until reaching $50 during 2010.
Note that the above refers to production costs, not retail prices. Right now, one of the lowest prices available is from Sears, who are offering a refurbished
Magnavox player for $99.99.