Why no Linn Bluray e.g. Classik?

[AlmaataKZ]

Linn does not seem to have any prducts that play bluray or decode any of the modern hd multichannel formats. Why? They do have DVD products but did not seem to go into the bluray market. I think a bluray Classik Movie would have been nice?

 

[Andrew Everard]

In general the smaller specialist companies have been deterred from getting into Blu-ray by the licence costs involved.

I know from a conversation with at least one at the Munich Show the other weekend that getting a player to market has been an ongoing nightmare, solved only by adopting an off-the-shelf solution round which it's had to work.

 

[Anonymous]

Cyrus have moved out of AV all together. I think licensing costs may have been a big factor.

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Would this involve the player only or hd sound decoding as well? e.g. a maker could have no player but have an Av amp?

 

[Anonymous]

Because they lack the expertise.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Ignoring that nonsensical last post, and to answer the question asked by AlmaataKZ, the licence costs affect both players and, to an even greater extent, amplifiers.

It's for that reason that you may see some smaller manufacturers launching Blu-ray players eventually, and maybe even 3D-capable ones at some point, but they'll probably be rather slower to launch receivers with HDMI 1.4a capability, and thus 3D passthrough.

 

[chudleighpaul]

There are some stunning high end players available from the major manufacturers, does the market need a low volume niche product? Would it sell in sufficient numbers to be profitable?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Indeed, it must be tempting for many smaller manufacturers to give up the player sector to those companies able to manufacture in huge volumes, and concentrate on the rest of the audio/video chain.

Trouble is, the AV amp/receiver is becoming very complex these days, with multiple layers of licences involved, so making a new product in this sector must be pretty daunting for many a company, especially when the 'big boys' keep moving the goalposts so swiftly and regularly.

But then, of course, the smaller companies must feel pressure from established customers and retailers to offer an 'end to end' solution, which may corner them into making products on which they're going to spend huge development effort, and see little return.

 

[chudleighpaul]

That pressure could lead to more reworked oppo players, as in previous thread!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Oppos are not the only fruit...

 

[AlmaataKZ]

Hmmm... Looks like Teac is another example of a maker who who used to have an AV line but currently does not have any modern multichannel AV receivers.

I am looking for a compact modern 5.1 receiver or amp to work with bluray and cannot find any, while DVD had lots...

 

[chudleighpaul]

You will struggle to find a compact AV Amp.

 

[super]

Naim audio have also been very secretive in the direction in their AV products.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Secretive? Hardly - the company has been quite open about the fact that AV isn't a priority right now...