RSSSamsung's Blu-ray players are next to get Netflix
By Tim Conneally | Published October 23, 2008, 12:02 PM
Samsung today has announced two of its existing Blu-ray players, the BD-2500 and BD-2550, can receive a feature upgrade to support the popular Netflix streaming on demand service today.
These are the fourth and fifth devices this year to be granted access to the Netflix streaming library, and follow LG's BD300 as the latest dedicated Blu-ray players to receive the functionality. Both of Samsung's players are currently available for $399.99, roughly the same price as LG's player.
Last month, Samsung UK consumer electronics chief Andy Griffiths expressed his belief that Blu-ray only has about five years of commercial viability left, suggesting that streaming video will be its replacement in the home.
Indeed, there are now enough options for streaming devices from Netflix to satisfy a large part of the consumer spectrum. In addition to the Netflix-enabled Blu-ray players, the company has partnered with Microsoft, giving the functionality to Xbox 360s, a machine in well over 10 million US homes. And the $99 Roku box is a simple and affordable solution for those looking for a dedicated streamer.
The problem, as always, is bandwidth - vod on a notebook screen is grand, throw it on that 1080p 52 inch screen, and it is going to look awful! With suitable bandwidth, this may be resolved.
But why give up on blu ray or DVD? Sure, most everyone on this site has MP3's - but I doubt I am the only one who still purchases CD's - owning is nice - I do not want to be completley 'virtual' - although I accept arguments that it is cheaper, and more enviro - friendly.
Plus, I enjoy all the bonus materials that are thrown in to the disks - will that be virtual too?
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|Ahh so this is a marketing ploy by Sony a last ditch effort to spark sales of a niche format in hopes of some sort of positive for all those "negative" margine of sales with the POS3 and bloray all together.. well done Sony well done!.. .. ..
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|While I don't share your negativity towards blu-ray or the PS3, I don't see too much value to this. Its really just a bonus. Netflix's movies avaialble for streaming aren't all that great.
At some point this might be more worthwhile though.
Blu-ray's doing fine though and will have a decent lifespan. It may never beat DVD, but it will do very well considering the limited market compared to DVD.
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|Doing well does mean jack.. if doing well had anything to do with it VHS would still be out there. I am sure that this will relate to some sort of "sales" boost in a report from Sony regarding bloray.
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|Hey Dunno Jack, This is SAMSUNG not SONY. Turn your Sony hater hat off for a second.
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|Grow up Danno. Give me a break. You lose all credibility with me when you use the words POS3 and bloray. All it does is show your ignorance.
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|I disagree. A company, or a product, doesn't have to be "top dog" to make it in this world. There is always room for 2nd place, 3rd place and more. Were it not so, how come we have so many different brands and models of everything from televisions to cell phones to automobiles? There is room enough to make something for everyone's wants and needs.
BluRay may never over take the DVD market. And I don't think it has to. Not everybody needs to drive a BMW. Meanwhile, I'm loving it.
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|Shuchks and i was going for gaining that credibility with you other than putting distance between myself and my opinion and sony fanboi trolls like you.. thank you
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|More like disapointed as i own a bloray player (POS3) and i have yet to be dazzled at what they "say" this player can do.
Currently i use other entertainement devices more ie. Xbox360 and my upscaling dvd player.
Your right it doesnt have Sony in the byline.. however it does reflect their "sales" numbers as they are bloray compliant players and therefore show on their numbers during sales.
as for "Turn your Sony hater hat off for a second" sorry can't do that its on ever since i was burned by two of their pieces of hardware.
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|If that be the case HDDVD would still be out on the market as number 2 or 3 never the less now adays it all revolves around profit and business and what space there is on the shelves. There are some aspects of tech that inspires competition TV's to Cell phones. As for this the preliminary battle was won by bloray and now it serves to fight DVD and streaming video for a space on the shelves.
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|So then it's just a matter of time before you put on your "xbox360 hater hat".
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|Maybe you should take your "xbox360 hater hat" off.
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|I'd love too.. but... they keep producing games that are fun to play. Xbox live is friendly and i can connect with my friends to play (unlike my POS3 and before you say it(yes im disapointed at this)) and most of all they listen to what a "gamer" like me needs a multi function device built for entertainment. Maybe next time...
Also..
I am no way affiliated with M$ nor do am I under their employ for fan troll.. if they contact me and offer me said position I would entertain the idea as I do have good things to say.
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