Nov 14 Podcast #661: Black Friday Preview 2014
Another year passes, another Black Friday approaches. True to form, the deals are as good as ever. Looking back, the deals we thought were amazing look like a rip off now. In 2008 the cheapest Blu-ray player was $128 and a 50-inch 720p plasma was going for $900. In 2009 the Blu-ray player price dropped to $78 and you could get a 50-inch 1080p plasma with a Blu-ray player for $1000. In 2013, plasma TVs were still all the rage. Can’t find any this year.
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Today's Show:
News:
- Wal-Mart readies Vudu Spark streaming stick
- More viewers choose TVs over devices for VOD
- Amazon will offer Ultra HD streaming free for Prime members
- Details of Sony's foray into cloud TV emerge
- DirecTV to Launch 4K
Other:
- Quirky, GE, Wink Tackle Sensor Networks, Build-Your-Own Home Automation
- Belkin Debuts WeMo Maker for DIYers
- For those looking for an iRule installer
- New Onkyo Atmos receivers do support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2
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- The HT Guys gratitude!
Black Friday Preview 2014
Another year passes, another Black Friday approaches. True to form, the deals are as good as ever. Looking back, the deals we thought were amazing look like a rip off now. In 2008 the cheapest Blu-ray player was $128 and a 50-inch 720p plasma was going for $900. In 2009 the Blu-ray player price dropped to $78 and you could get a 50-inch 1080p plasma with a Blu-ray player for $1000. In 2013, plasma TVs were still all the rage. Can’t find any this year.
Our research came from our favorite goto sites for Black Friday circulars, including: www.bfads.net, www.blackfriday.com, and blackfriday.gottadeal.com.
The list has three 720p TVs and for this we are only counting TVs that are 32 inches or larger. The lowest price 720p TV comes from Sears - Upstar 32" 720p LED HDTV, $169.99
- Sears - Upstar 32" 720p LED HDTV, $169.99
- K-Mart - Seiki 32" Class 720p 60Hz LED DVD Combo HDTV (SE32HY27-D), $179.99
- K-Mart - RCA 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED32G30RQ), $179.99
The lowest price tier one brand HDTV comes from Best Buy - Panasonic 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $199.99
The largest TV comes from Sears - Sharp 70" (LC70LE660U) 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV, $1,449.99 or you can buy it in your pajamas from Amazon for $1595
Wal*Mart is advertising a Blu-ray player for $35! - LG Blu-Ray Player, $35.00
- Best Buy - Sony Smart 3D Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-Ray Player (BDPS5200), $59.99
- Best Buy - Sony Smart Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player (BDPS3200), $49.99
- Wal*Mart - LG Blu-Ray Player, $35.00
- Target - Sony Blu-ray Disc Player w/ Wi-Fi (BDPS3200), $49.99
- Sears - Samsung Blu-Ray Disc Player (BD-H5100), $49.99
- K-Mart - Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player (BD-H5100) + $5.00 Back in SYWR Points, $49.99
For some reason K-Mart is selling a DVD player for $19.99 + $10 back in SYWR points - Seiki DVD Player + $10.00 Back in SYWR Points, $19.99
Best Buy has an Atmos ready receiver - Onkyo 1155W 7.2 Channel 4K Ultra HD A/V Home Theater Receiver (TX-NR636), $449.99
And for the first time Best Buy is offering some home automation gear - Philips A-19 Hue Starter Kit + Free Bloom Accent Light, $199.99 and Philips BR-30 Hue Starter Kit + Free Bloom Accent Light, $199.99
Cool items that may or may not be home theater related:
- Best Buy - Logitech Harmony 700 Advanced Universal Remote, $59.99
- Best Buy - NETGEAR Dual-Band Wireless-AC Router, $59.99
- Target - Samsung 37-in. Bluetooth Soundbar w/ Subwoofer (HW-F355/ZA), $87.99
- Target - FitBit Charge Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband, $99.99
- Sears - Sling Media Slingbox M1, $149.99
- Sears - Samsung 2.1 Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Active Subwoofer, $159.99
- K-Mart - Everlast TR-1 Wireless Activity Tracker, $34.99
- Office Depot - Netgear R7OOO Nighthawk AC1900 Smart Wi-Fi Router $169.99
- Office Depot - Toshiba Canvio Portable 2TB Hard Drive $64.99
- Radio Shack - Google Chromecast + 2-Months Hulu Plus $25
- Radio Shack - Roku Streaming Stick HDMI Version + Free 2-mths. Rdio Unlimited $39.99
- Radio Shack - Apple TV $84.99
- Radio Shack - Belkin WeMo Switch/Wireless Home Actuator + $10.00 Gift Card $49.99
- Radio Shack - iTunes Gift Cards 15% off
The full list follows:
Best Buy
- Element 29" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $79.00
- Insignia 29" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (NS-29D310NA15), $99.99
- Insignia 40" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (NS-40D510NA15), $179.99
- LG 55" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (55LB5550), $479.99
- LG 55" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (55UB8200), $1,299.99
- LG 65" 1080p LED HDTV (65LB5200), $799.99
- Panasonic 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $199.99
- Samsung 55" 1080p 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (UN55H6203AFXZA), $599.99
- Samsung 55" 4K LED HDTV (Black), $899.99
- Samsung 55" LED 1080p 240Hz Smart 3D HDTV (UN55H7150AFXZA), $997.99
- Samsung 55" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (UN55HU7250FXZA), $1,299.99
- Sharp 60" 1080p Smart LED HDTV (LC-60LE644U), $699.99
- Vizio 50" 1080p 240Hz Smart LED HDTV (M502I-B1), $499.99
- Vizio 55" 4K 240Hz LED Smart HDTV (P552UI-B2), $1,299.99
- Sony Smart 3D Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-Ray Player (BDPS5200), $59.99
- Sony Smart Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player (BDPS3200), $49.99
- Onkyo 1155W 7.2 Channel 4K Ultra HD A/V Home Theater Receiver (TX-NR636), $449.99
- Logitech Harmony 700 Advanced Universal Remote, $59.99
- Philips A-19 Hue Starter Kit + Free Bloom Accent Light, $199.99
- Philips BR-30 Hue Starter Kit + Free Bloom Accent Light, $199.99
- NETGEAR Dual-Band Wireless-AC Router, $59.99
Wal-mart
- Element 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $218.00
- Element 60" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $498.00
- Samsung 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (UN50H5203), $498.00
- Samsung 55" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (UN55H6203), $598.00
- Samsung 60" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (UN60H6203), $798.00
- Vizio 65" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $648.00
- Vizio 50" 2160p 4K Ultra HDTV, $698.00
- LG Blu-Ray Player, $35.00
Target
- Element 29" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $79.00
- Element 40" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $119.00
- Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz Smart LED HDTV, $327.99
- Samsung 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (UN50EH5000FXZA) + $30 Target Gift Card, $477.99
- Samsung 60" 1080p 120HZ Smart LED HDTV (UN60H6203AFXZA), $797.99
- Westinghouse 48" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (DWM48F1G1), $235.00
- Westinghouse 55" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (DWM55F1G1), $395.00
- Sony Blu-ray Disc Player w/ Wi-Fi (BDPS3200), $49.99
- Samsung 37-in. Bluetooth Soundbar w/ Subwoofer (HW-F355/ZA), $87.99
- FitBit Charge Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband, $99.99
Sears
- RCA 46" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED46C45RQ), $299.99
- RCA 52" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED52B45RQ), $379.99
- RCA 55" 1080p 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (SLD55A55RQ), $649.99
- Seiki 48" 1080p LED HDTV (SE48FY25), $349.99
- Sharp 60" 1080p 120Hz LED Smart TV (LC60LE660U).$899.99
- Sharp 60" 1080p 240Hz Smart LED HDTV (LC-60EQ10U), $999.99
- Sharp 70" Smart LED TV (LC70LE660U), $1,449.99
- Upstar 32" 720p LED HDTV, $169.99
- Samsung 2.1 Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Active Subwoofer, $159.99
- Sling Media Slingbox M1, $149.99
- Seiki DVD Player, $19.99
- Samsung Blu-Ray Disc Player (BD-H5100), $49.99
K-Mart
- RCA 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED32G30RQ), $179.99
- RCA 40" Class 1080p 60Hz Rear Lit LED HDTV (LED40HG45RQ), $249.99
- RCA 46" Class LED 1080p HDTV, $299.99
- RCA 50" 1080p LED HDTV, $399.99
- RCA 55" 1080p LED HDTV (LED55G55R120Q), $499.99
- RCA 60" 120Hz 1080P LED HDTV (LED60855R120Q), $699.99
- Sanyo 50" class LED 1080p HDTV, $399.99
- Seiki 20" LED High Definition Television (SE20HS04), $99.99
- Seiki 32" Class 720p 60Hz LED DVD Combo HDTV (SE32HY27-D), $179.99
- Seiki 32" LED HDTV (SE32HY10), $169.99
- Seiki 40" 1080p LED HDTV (SE40FY19), $239.99
- Toshiba 40" 1080p LED HD TV, $329.99
- Westinghouse 39" Class 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $229.99
- Westinghouse 55" Class 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (DWM55F1Y1), $449.99
- Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player (BD-H5100) + $5.00 Back in SYWR Points, $49.99
- Seiki DVD Player + $10.00 Back in SYWR Points, $19.99
- Everlast TR-1 Wireless Activity Tracker, $34.99
Reader Comments (2)
The Onkyo receiver listed TXNR636 does support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2
http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-NR636&class=Receiver
The price listed for Black Friday at Best Buy is great considering this receiver just came out this past summer and only started to support ATMOS with firmware update that came in September.
FYI, the first show to drop off our DVR is Gotham, in spite of TVGuide's poll calling it the most popular new show just today. Going nowhere and doing nothing, we all lost interest.