Blu-ray player prices are dropping fast, and not only off-brand, barebones models. Even brand-name players with BD-Live and video streaming can be found for under $200. Nearly eight of every ten BD players sold this year through August were under $300, as opposed to only one in ten in the same period last year, according to NPD Group, which also reports that currently, BD unit sales make up 15% of overall US home video player purchases (DVD and BD players put together).
NPD notes that between January and August 2009, 65% of all BD players sold were models priced between $200 and $299. For the same 2008 frame, the vast majority of all such purchases, at 75%, were for players between $300 and $399. Average price has dropped by approximately $100 in one year.
A striking data point is sales of BD players under $200. In Jan-Aug 2008, there were no sales in that price range; in the same period of 2009, 14% of player sales were for players under $200.
During last year's fourth quarter, the biggest Blu-ray player deals featured mostly off-brand players with no BD-Live. Now there are several name-brand BD-Live players with video streaming under $200, such as the
Panasonic DMP-BD60,
Samsung BD-P1600 and the
LG BD370.
"We've seen very strong growth in Blu-ray players this year. It has been a bright spot in a very gloomy industry landscape," said Ross Rubin, NPD director of industry analysis. "Nearly all other electronics device categories have been down, such as digital cameras and MP3 players."
Rubin added that currently, Blu-ray unit sales make up 15% of overall U.S. high-definition/standard-definition home video player purchases. Yet he expects that will increase to 50% of unit sales in 2010 if current demand and pricing trends hold. Rubin expects $99 deals on Black Friday, and says it's "conceivable" that a $49 offer could be seen on Black Friday.