Amex Digital launches $239 BD-P1 Blu-ray player

Given that Blu-ray player prices are supposed to be headed downwards, we're a bit miffed by this one. Amex Digital, who is usually good for delivering wares on the cheap, has just announced a standalone Blu-ray deck for $239 (MSRP). Of course, we can't imagine the unit streeting for that, but we digress. As for specs, the deck includes built-in Ethernet, USB 2.0, HDMI 1.3 / component / composite outputs, optical / coaxial digital audio ports and integrated Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio decoders. There's no indication of its Profile status, but unless you can find this puppy for around $175 or less, it probably matters not.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 13th 2009 4:43PM]

wait for the $199 BD player from Vizio that was just announced.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 13th 2009 4:53PM]

Why would you guess profile 1.1 when the specs include an Ethernet port? Ethernet screams profile 2.0.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 13th 2009 5:43PM]

It's a Profile 2.0 player being released at a time when the announced prices of BD players are generally just higher than $200, with the exception of the aforementioned Vizio.

The Vizio was big news, but you've plugged this "We found a $199 Blu-ray player! It was a Profile 1.0 unit that they found in a return box at the back of a Circuit City that was going out of business!" crap for so long that you've made it look less newsworthy. A MSRP of $239 for a Profile 2.0 player is still fairly decent, especially as you know they're not subsidizing it.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 20th 2009 4:43PM]

After Christmas sale price for the Sony S350 in Western Canada was CAD$ 200 (about USD 160). I missed the sale but still got the Sony Store price of CAD 220. Can't imagine spending near that amount for an "off brand" unless proven superior. My S350 looks great on my 50" Sony SXRD - both Bluray (Kingdom of Heaven) and upscaled conventional (Criterion transfer of a 1967 French film, Le Samourai).

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 14th 2009 9:28PM]

The fact that it has built in ethernet would strongly suggest that this is a Profile 2.0 player.