Blu-Ray Players... why so BIG??? (and expensive)

[snadge]

I notice that these Blu-Ray players are so BIG and expensive...

I know asking why they are so expensive is stupid but why so BIG?

[yoda313]

Aren't all first and early generation players overly large? I think it is a natural progression of the technology world. You start out as big as a tank and eventually it shrinks down to just a little larger than the size of the media.

Another alternative is to get a rom or burner model for your computer. Of course that is assuming you have at least 2gb ram, a dual core processor and an hdcp compliant monitor.....

[cracula]

I see yoda took on the big part and skipped over the expensive part

[snadge]

surely the laser technology for Blu-Ray doesnt require BULKY MACHINERY???
just cos a laser is thinner i doubt it'd require all that extra space

[hanugro]

Maybe it runs a bit hot so bigger casing is needed for good air circulation for cooling/fan? The HD codec requires lot of processing power that even the old P4 (before core 2) can't handle it alone. And some said that blu ray can handle even bigger rate than HD-DVD *that should require more power).

I think when better chip with better efficiency come along it will shrink.

[snadge]

hmm i have a 2Ghz Turion Mobile single core chip and I can play HD on my laptop? be it 720p or 1080p it plays (though the 1080p doesnt fit on screen it plays)

Also I have seen quite thin HD DVD Player....
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135627

[jagabo]

why so BIG?

To make you feel like you're getting something for you money.

[guns1inger]

why so BIG?

To make you feel like you're getting something for you money.

Exactly. Unless it is an Apple product or a mobile phone, most people still perceive value based on size.

[Krispy Kritter]

It is typically related to all of the technology inside the unit, not just the laser. Since this is new technology, they begin by building the hardware in sections, such as video processing, audio processing, etc. etc...and combine all of the separate components within a large(r) case. As time progresses, the individual components will get replaced/reduced to a few IC chips on a common board. A very good example of this is the Toshiba HD-DVD player line. Compare the A1, A2, and A3 models and note the hardware changes within the unit as well as the overall size of the player.

And as noted above, size is as much a enemy as a conveinence. Smaller units run hotter and most users don't allow for proper heat dissapation from their electronics anyway. They like the small slimline units because they can fit more into their cabinet and they then proceed to stack multiple pieces on top of each other, which leads to premature failures.

[Lucifers_Ghost]

why so BIG?

To over compensate for small genitalia.

Wait .. what?