[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

As a result of the efficiencies obtained with the combined license offering, the royalty rates for Blu-ray Disc(TM) products are expected to be at least 40% lower than the current cumulative royalty rates for individual Blu-ray Disc(TM), DVD and CD format licenses.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

We might see some price drops in stuff now.

[toast]

Would current licensees be able to renegotiate their deals?

[FreedomPoster]

I was amazed at how affordable Blu-ray burners have become. I wonder how long before the blanks become affordable? Say, under $1 for single-sided.

[Varda]

This looks like an attempt to monopolize the market of physical media. I thought Toshiba held many of the DVD patents. Did Sony buy them out?

[Las Vegas Dave]

Pinging the HDTV list..

HDTV pings!

Walmart Drops Blu-ray Player Price to New Low of $128

At what may soon become the norm price for entry-level Blu-ray players, Walmart is selling Magnavox's NB500MGX Blu-ray disc player/DVD upconverter for $128.

The Blu-ray player doesn't have Ethernet (so it's just Profile 1.1), but it'll play all the Blu-ray movies in full 1080p.

For Father's Day, Walmart is also featuring 2-for-$20 Blu-ray movie bundles and a Garmin nuvi 250—with a 3.5'' touch screen and voice guidance—for $128 too. Unfortunately, as I mentioned, these deals are not available online and can only be found in Walmart stores.(Note: Blu-Ray Model#: NB530MGXLVD 1s available on-line for $128 at wal-Mart.com - LVD)

Note: Walmart refers to the player as both NB500MGX and NB530MGX. We are assured that this is a sales-reference difference, and not a spec or appearance difference.

Player is limited quantities and the sale is 6/14/2009 - 6/20/2009.

[Dysart]

Is there any reason why anyone should purchase a stand alone BD player with very limited web connectivity/application, when they can simply connect a HTPC to their HDTV? I can’t think of any reason other than perhaps cost. But I would think the incredible versatility of the HTPC would more than compensate for that consideration.

[aft_lizard]

While this is nice, as well as the price drop for the players the biggest news to come out this week for BD is the allowing of a managed copy per disc, legally. IF you are like me and have a HTPC this is great. But since I already over paid for AnyDVD HD it’s a little too late for me.