AfterDawn: News

Vizio will offer $200 Blu-ray player

Vizio is already known for its low-cost high-definition televisions. Now the company is aiming to get competitive in the market for Blu-ray players. It will begin offering a $199 Blu-ray player in April. The Vizio VBR100 Blu-ray player cannot match up to some of the new Blu-ray players shown off at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this weekend, but with the low price point, it's features make it very competitive.

The player is Profile 2.0 compatible, provides 7.1 analog audio outputs and has on-board support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. It also sports optical and coaxial digital audio outputs. Obviously, support for BD Live 2.0 is very unlikely, which can be found in the newer high-priced models.



Blu-ray disc sales have been showing some promise since late 2008, with titles like The Dark Knight turning conservative observations into cautious optimism among analysts. The PlayStation 3 (PS3) console still persists as the biggest selling entertainment device that includes a Blu-ray drive, and still would be a good recommendation for anyone looking for a Blu-ray stand-alone.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 11 Jan 2009 0:32

• Previous article

• Trading Standards and ELSPA bust UK game pirate

• Next article

• HDi introduced MKV and Torrent supporting Blu-ray players

• 24 comments

• atomicxl

  Blu-Ray players sold well this holiday because they were on sale and cheap. Then you have CES and all the talks are about releasing $400+ Blu-Ray players. Vizio seems to be the only company to realize the correlation between high sales and low price points.

  11.1.2009 02:52 #1

• Toshibot

  Quote:The player is Profile 2.0 compatible...
  
  Obviously, support for BD Live 2.0 is very unlikely, which can be found in the newer high-priced models. I don't understand why you said "unlikely".
  
  Profile 2.0 means BD-Live 2.0 - they're one and the same.
  
  http://www.blu-ray.com/players/players.php?p=1&id=131

  11.1.2009 11:02 #2

• Dela

  Check source: http://www.dailytech.com/Vizio+Bluray+Pl...rticle13879.htm
  
  not sure what way it is either.

  11.1.2009 11:20 #3

• Toshibot

  Obviously a glaring mistake from the dailytech reporter.
  
  If your player is Profile 2.0 then by definition you can access the BD-Live features of a movie.
  
  http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/1186
  http://www.avforums.com/forums/5141624-post1.html
  
  Quote:BD-Live (sometimes called BD-Video Profile 2.0)
  1GB of persistent storage
  SD/HD decoding of PiP video
  Secondary audio stream decoding
  Internet connectivity required

  11.1.2009 12:42 #4

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by atomicxl: Blu-Ray players sold well this holiday because they were on sale and cheap. Then you have CES and all the talks are about releasing $400+ Blu-Ray players. Vizio seems to be the only company to realize the correlation between high sales and low price points.I hope they make a killing being the first to bring blu ray out below 200 for a new non sale unit.

  11.1.2009 17:26 #5

• SProdigy

  Quote:Originally posted by atomicxl: Blu-Ray players sold well this holiday because they were on sale and cheap. Then you have CES and all the talks are about releasing $400+ Blu-Ray players. Vizio seems to be the only company to realize the correlation between high sales and low price points.I hope they make a killing being the first to bring blu ray out below 200 for a new non sale unit.And seeing how Vizio operates in the HDTV realm (I own 2 of their awesome sets) I also bet that they drop to $100-150 range by the time everyone else follows suit.

  11.1.2009 21:23 #6

• ZippyDSM

  Quote:Quote:Originally posted by atomicxl: Blu-Ray players sold well this holiday because they were on sale and cheap. Then you have CES and all the talks are about releasing $400+ Blu-Ray players. Vizio seems to be the only company to realize the correlation between high sales and low price points.I hope they make a killing being the first to bring blu ray out below 200 for a new non sale unit.And seeing how Vizio operates in the HDTV realm (I own 2 of their awesome sets) I also bet that they drop to $100-150 range by the time everyone else follows suit.How bad are their HDTVs?
  
  If they make half decent products it would be good if they could serge ahead the rest on the lower price stuff.
  Volume sales should be enough to maintain debt/profit to refine their business model more.

  11.1.2009 21:28 #7

• Oner

  Sounds good and it can only get lower in price as time goes on (just as any new technological advancement before it). So between BD's adoption rate being 2x over that of DVD's adoption rate (when comparing their introduction period year for year) and 10.7 Million BD Players being available in just the US alone there is no way people can cover up or claim BD is "failing" everywhere.
  
  Quote:Blu-ray is doing well despite the bad economy, leaving most analysts optimistic.
  
  Since Blu-ray´s June 2006 format launch, 10.7 million Blu-ray set-tops and PlayStation 3s have shipped. In year three for DVD, 5.4 million units had shipped.
  
  "Several of the research analyst participants admitted they have revised their hardware projections upward in light of Blu-ray´s pace. Analysts believe that the emerging $200 to $300 pricing for many Blu-ray players made them the perfect family gift this year. With so many new models announced for this year at CES, that pace is unlikely to let up in 2009," wrote Video Business.So with Vizio's line of value priced HDTV's being sold it only holds true that people are going to want to have the best experience that they can get for their moneys worth....It just makes sense that people who buy LCD's, Plasma's and Flat Screens for some sort of Home Theater experience (hell even just for a spare bedroom or whatever) would warrant using that technology to your advantage just as DVD's did over VHS.
  

  
  
  Search > http://forums.afterdawn.com/search
  Rules > http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
  Important Rule > http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/380660

  11.1.2009 21:54 #8

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by Oner: Sounds good and it can only get lower in price as time goes on (just as any new technological advancement before it). So between BD's adoption rate being 2x over that of DVD's adoption rate (when comparing their introduction period year for year) and 10.7 Million BD Players being available in just the US alone there is no way people can cover up or claim BD is "failing" everywhere.
  
  Quote:Blu-ray is doing well despite the bad economy, leaving most analysts optimistic.
  
  Since Blu-ray´s June 2006 format launch, 10.7 million Blu-ray set-tops and PlayStation 3s have shipped. In year three for DVD, 5.4 million units had shipped.
  
  "Several of the research analyst participants admitted they have revised their hardware projections upward in light of Blu-ray´s pace. Analysts believe that the emerging $200 to $300 pricing for many Blu-ray players made them the perfect family gift this year. With so many new models announced for this year at CES, that pace is unlikely to let up in 2009," wrote Video Business.Well dose not a bad economy force people to invest in home theaters no matter how trivial they might be?
  

  Fallout 3 has stole my soul, for about 30 hours till the paint wore off.... even if its a action focused FPS RPG, at least its a FPS RPG not a under deved shooter like Bioshock!

  11.1.2009 21:58 #9

• Oner

  Sorry Zipp I edited in an addition while you where typing that of which coincides with your latest question. But yes, I agree as I personally use my "disposable income" during these financial times to dispose of BACK into my home in some way.
  

  
  
  Search > http://forums.afterdawn.com/search
  Rules > http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
  Important Rule > http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/380660

  11.1.2009 22:01 #10

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by Oner: Sorry Zipp I edited in an addition while you where typing that of which coincides with your latest question. But yes, I agree as I personally use my "disposable income" during these financial times to dispose of BACK into my home in some way.You don;t need to spend 5grand on a entertainment center room, a decent TV and surround system will only set you back half that.
  
  Anyway a entertainment room is far more mobile than a home theater room :P

  11.1.2009 22:12 #11

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by atomicxl: How bad are their HDTVs?Honestly, I love mine. I was skeptic at first, but it destroys any other brand in it's price class (Sanyo, Westinghouse, other cheapos) and even some sets that are more expensive.
  
  Feature-wise, they offer as much as any other set. I'm kind of ticked my recent 32" purchase dropped from $600 to $378 within 3-4 months time!
  
  Another plus is that they are a US based company, for those that still want to buy "American" (though they are made with parts from Japan, Korea and China!)

  12.1.2009 10:32 #12

• ZippyDSM

  Quote:Originally posted by atomicxl: How bad are their HDTVs?Honestly, I love mine. I was skeptic at first, but it destroys any other brand in it's price class (Sanyo, Westinghouse, other cheapos) and even some sets that are more expensive.
  
  Feature-wise, they offer as much as any other set. I'm kind of ticked my recent 32" purchase dropped from $600 to $378 within 3-4 months time!
  
  Another plus is that they are a US based company, for those that still want to buy "American" (though they are made with parts from Japan, Korea and China!)Nice.
  I'll keep that in mind, trying to save up 500$ for a HD 1080 TV 30ish inches... 200$ for a 20ish monitor might as well spend more and get a nice TV/monitor.

  12.1.2009 10:37 #13

• pomelo

  Now they need to lower the price of the movies.

  12.1.2009 11:37 #14

• spydah

  Quote:Quote:Originally posted by atomicxl: How bad are their HDTVs?Honestly, I love mine. I was skeptic at first, but it destroys any other brand in it's price class (Sanyo, Westinghouse, other cheapos) and even some sets that are more expensive.
  
  Feature-wise, they offer as much as any other set. I'm kind of ticked my recent 32" purchase dropped from $600 to $378 within 3-4 months time!
  
  Another plus is that they are a US based company, for those that still want to buy "American" (though they are made with parts from Japan, Korea and China!)Nice.
  I'll keep that in mind, trying to save up 500$ for a HD 1080 TV 30ish inches... 200$ for a 20ish monitor might as well spend more and get a nice TV/monitor.
  Here's Tigerdirects pricing on a refurbished 50' model that's full 1080P.
  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...-WEM1816-_-3day
  
  I have a 32" that I bought about 2 years and it's a great tv. I would by another one from them if I had the spare cash.

  12.1.2009 11:53 #15

• spydah

  Sorry the I meant to put the price in. It's currently sold at $799 with no rebates.

  12.1.2009 11:54 #16

• ZippyDSM

  Quote:Quote:Quote:Originally posted by atomicxl: How bad are their HDTVs?Honestly, I love mine. I was skeptic at first, but it destroys any other brand in it's price class (Sanyo, Westinghouse, other cheapos) and even some sets that are more expensive.
  
  Feature-wise, they offer as much as any other set. I'm kind of ticked my recent 32" purchase dropped from $600 to $378 within 3-4 months time!
  
  Another plus is that they are a US based company, for those that still want to buy "American" (though they are made with parts from Japan, Korea and China!)Nice.
  I'll keep that in mind, trying to save up 500$ for a HD 1080 TV 30ish inches... 200$ for a 20ish monitor might as well spend more and get a nice TV/monitor.
  Here's Tigerdirects pricing on a refurbished 50' model that's full 1080P.
  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...-WEM1816-_-3day
  
  I have a 32" that I bought 2 years about and it's a great tv. I would by another one from them if I had the spare cash.eh anything past 300 needs a solid warranty..since it takes me so long to it up. it dose look nice tho.

  12.1.2009 11:56 #17

• spydah

  Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote:Originally posted by atomicxl: How bad are their HDTVs?Honestly, I love mine. I was skeptic at first, but it destroys any other brand in it's price class (Sanyo, Westinghouse, other cheapos) and even some sets that are more expensive.
  
  Feature-wise, they offer as much as any other set. I'm kind of ticked my recent 32" purchase dropped from $600 to $378 within 3-4 months time!
  
  Another plus is that they are a US based company, for those that still want to buy "American" (though they are made with parts from Japan, Korea and China!)Nice.
  I'll keep that in mind, trying to save up 500$ for a HD 1080 TV 30ish inches... 200$ for a 20ish monitor might as well spend more and get a nice TV/monitor.
  Here's Tigerdirects pricing on a refurbished 50' model that's full 1080P.
  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...-WEM1816-_-3day
  
  I have a 32" that I bought 2 years about and it's a great tv. I would by another one from them if I had the spare cash.eh anything past 300 needs a solid warranty..since it takes me so long to it up. it dose look nice tho.
  I can definitely agree. Tv's are a long term investment so, warranties should at least be 3 years. I didn't see if was refurbed until I clicked on the link.

  12.1.2009 12:00 #18

• Oner

  Originally posted by ZippyDSM: You don;t need to spend 5grand on a entertainment center room, a decent TV and surround system will only set you back half that.
  
  Anyway a entertainment room is far more mobile than a home theater room :PAbsolutely agree. Though it's not very hard to have a setup that is Theater like and still be able to move stuff out quickly if the need arises!
  
  
  Originally posted by pomelo: Now they need to lower the price of the movies.It all depends on where you shop ;)
  

  
  
  Search > http://forums.afterdawn.com/search
  Rules > http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
  Important Rule > http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/380660

  12.1.2009 12:21 #19

• Mr-Movies

  The Sony 350's were $180 before X-Mas so I don't know that this Vizio is the first to have profile 2.0 that sells under $200, but that was a sale price unlike Vizio dropping their everyday price to $150, sweet! And this player can play MP3's the crappy Sony, which I was dumb enough to buy, doesn't nor does it play Divx either you got to love brands like Sony.
  
  Here are some of the Vizio spec's, not bad at all for a cheap player!
  
  The VIZIO Blu-ray Player
  
  Providing the most superb images and stunning audio performance, Blu-ray discs deliver 1080p perfection. Retailing for $199.99, the release of VIZIO's VBR100 Blu-Ray Player means everyone can afford to bring these exquisite sights and sounds into their home theater.
  
  Outfitted with a 108MHz/11-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), the VBR100 delivers phenomenal 1080p video from native Blu-rays discs and offers selectable 720p/1080i/1080p video upconversion for standard definition DVD discs (HDMI output only).
  
  A 24-bit/192kHz audio Digital to Analog Converter ensures pristine audio playback from all of the latest surround sound formats. The VBR100 provides built-in audio decoding for uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, hd.cfm" class="forum_link" target="_blank">DTS-HD Master Audio, and multi-channel PCM in additional to all other surround codecs (Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS).
  
  The super-slim player will fit in any entertainment cabinet, and is not only compatible with Blu-ray discs and BD-Live content, but it plays standard definition DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD, audio CD-R and CD-RW, plus MP3 CDs.
  
  Additional VBR100 Features
  
  Video outputs: HDMI (1.3), component, and composite
  Audio outputs: 7.1 channel analog audio, coax and optical digital audio, and analog stereo (RCA)
  Dimensions: 17 X 11 X 2"
  Includes Remote Control
  
  From Site:
  http://www.vizio.com/about.aspx?cid=2887&id=1318
  
  Very Nice!

  12.1.2009 14:29 #20

• SProdigy

  Originally posted by Mr-Movies: And this player can play MP3's the crappy Sony, which I was dumb enough to buy, doesn't nor does it play Divx either you got to love brands like Sony.And not having Divx has sealed the deal for me on these Blu-Ray players. That's a pretty big feature for me, as I get a lot of my TV content from newsgroups, in Xvid format.
  
  Right now the best choice for digital media looks like a PS3, which is neither a Blu-Ray or gaming console that I want to pony up the money for at the moment.

  12.1.2009 16:51 #21

• club42

  This is great news as I have come to admire the way Vizio runs their company. I don't own one but my friends Vizio is comparable to my brand new Sony LCD. I like the Sony better but the price difference is not justifiable. Compared to some of the lower end Japanese companies Vizio actually sell's a product that's worth what you pay. I guess there's a reason they have been doing so well. Plus I think their a good company to bring high-def to the masses without pissing them off because of a faulty product.

  12.1.2009 20:38 #22

• bilen

  I have never heard of this brand before but after reading this article and all the comment's, I am heading the three hours to the Tiger and am seriously going to look into these products. I alway's wished i had the money for all the nice shet but could't afford it but now it's looking feasible.

  13.1.2009 17:45 #23

• Bluto1841

  I am one of the early purchaser of a VIZIO 32 that was on the floor of the store and was supposedly on sale because someone returned it. I found out later that there was nothing wrong with it and the former purchaser was confused by the excessive buttons on the remote. After using it for a year it went kablooey (completely dead) Upon calling VIZIO in Calif. they, in less than a week had the replacement innards at my door via UPS for one of their service contractors to install. The inside unit was replaced on my kitchen table as a workbench. While the back was off the TV I noticed that the LCD was made by SHARP.
  
  This TV has performed flawlessly since (over 3 years). The point that I'm trying to make is that the LCD is by a known manufacturer (Sharp in this case) and the immediate replacement without charge, of the chassis. I had NO warranty but the company took action without any fanfare even though it was near a year old.
  
  The only gripe I have is that the contrast ratio in this 4 year old set should be greater, but it was adequate at that time. I would buy another VIZIO comes time to upgrade. (soon)
  
  So now I'm watching the stores for the VBR100 and will jump on it as soon as the price meets my requirement along with a new upgraded VIZIO 46 or so. Signed----a believer!!!!

  16.1.2009 21:15 #24