Blu-ray player sales down since January.

[ldgibson76]

Slow down "Cow Poke"!

I wasn't taking a swipe at you. I respect your explanation and perspective on the subject. Not once did I criticize you. And yes, I did refer to you twice in the post, but it wasn't an all out assault on "Sir T!"
I agree, two different markets, two different responses to market conditions.
"Sir T", recognize when you are actually receiving a compliment on your knowledge. Just because someone wants to debate you doesn't mean they are trying to discredit your opinion.
As far as what I consider a luxury item.....I bet if you asked the average person out there if Blu ray was considered a luxury item during these times, I'm pretty confident that the majority would agree with that observation. And how can you compare a CAR to a blu ray player! A car is a necessity in this country! A $50,000 car is a luxury item! One other thing, in 2002, the DVD was a completely established medium. No competition from other formats and the economic downturn was nowhere near the levels it is now. Were the fuel prices $4.00 a gallon in 2002?! Was the price of food increasing at the same time!?! Yes, 9/11 had a dramatic effect, but, nowhere close to what's happening now! Now, "Sir T" if you dispute that fact, then you are really out of touch with the current economic crisis.
Nothing wrong with you having your point of view. Were all entitled! But, the U.S. is the most important market on this planet. I'm sure that if Canada had the economic downturn the US has had, but the US economy was status quo, the BDA would be concerned, but not to the extent it is for the US. You can say the same for Europe and Asia! Granted, both are important markets, but the US is the where the success is truly measured!
I'm not trying to have a pissing match with you. I told you before, I concede when it comes to the format war. And yes, I purchased a blu ray player, on the cheap mind you. I refuse, like many refuse to spend $500.00 on one. Not to mention, that during the Christmas holidays, the Sony and the Samsung could be had for $299! Ever since HD DVD went defunct, the prices surged back up to $399 retail. And guess what, sales slowed down. So much has contributed to the slow down of the BDP's. Now, if the price had remained at the $299.00 price point, then I'm sure the demand for the players would be much higher. Why would the manufacturer's of these products have such a hard time producing these players?! You say the replication process is a difficult one. OK, I'll drink your kool aid, but if that is the cause, why has Sony been able to produce so many PS3's? Why, because of demand! If there was such a nationwide demand for standalone players, it's only academic that the manufacturer's would be putting these player's out with the quickness....firmware updates be damned! Supply and demand dictates pricing. With competition...$299! No compettion...$399+! And let's not go there about the needed updates! That alone was enough to slow down demand, PS3 not withstanding! "Sir T", I'm not against blu ray. I want it to succeed. It is the superior technology. I, like others on this website recognize what's going on and things are bordering on critical! Blu ray will survive and eventually become the force we believe it is. Timing is everything and we are in bad times right now!
And don't take this as if I'm labeling you as "out of touch". The views you have expressed regarding the economic conditions and how it has or hasn't effected Bluray's market penatration, IMO, is in fact questionable, and at the least, debatable. Sometimes you sound like "Dubya!"

You're still the man!
Peace!