Did any of you actually read my WHOLE post, or did you just pick and choose the sentances/phrases that fit your attitude?

I NEVER said Sony didn't outsource, I said that they should be able to find someone else to make the component. If the original company thought it was in their best interest to stop making the part, maybe someone else would. What would cause the part to suddenly increase in price? Why would a company decide it was time to stop producing? There seems to be a lot of speculation as to what "it" actually is.

The core of my post was that Sony is doing this so because it is a dying market segment. Why spend money to support something that won't be there in 5 years or less. This gives them incentive to move on producing something else (like a 400 disc Blu-Ray player).

I have procured 1,000 units... going to the highest bidders.










NOT!

I head that if you purchase an Escient, then the Sony will be supplied as the changer. If you already have purchaced an Escient in the past and wish to add a changer to an existing system, then that is possible also. That is what I know so far. I know that because we had just added one and they were on back order but in limited supply as Escient and Sony worked some kind of deal out between the two.

BNC

Does anyone have information from Sony on whether this halt in production is temporary or permanent?

I understand that Escient have been trying to persuade Sony to sell the 777ES in Europe and other markets for some time, but Sony won't play ball, even though the 777 can already play PAL DVDs. That suggests Sony aren't particularly interested in the 777, or in supporting Escient, which is a bit worrying in the current situation.

this should not be a major surprise from Sony's standpoint. The discontinued their computer based firewire inteface 200 disc unit recently as well, and sold off remaining inventories for about $100-150/unit.

Expect to see one of two things within the next 6 months; a Sony BLu-ray mega changer, If I remember correctly they've already shown it, and have them currently available in Japan. Second option is a one or two piece unit that is a hard drive with a built in bluray drive that will allow for multiple HD streams to 'connected' PS3's.

Sounds like a great segway into the new Vision line. hard disc ripping of video is inevitable. Let the lawyers begin their opening statements.

HomeBoy

From the features list on the Escient Vision website: "Imports DVDs (not copy-protected)".

So it costs three times as much as an MX plus 777 and you can't actually copy any commercially produced DVDs to it. I wonder how many they sell? Or is there a way round the copy protection (bearing in mind this is not a PC)?

[Price-wise the Vision would run to $14,000 if you wanted to store 400 discs (and $22,000 to store 800!), because you'd need a VS-200 (2TB, so effectively 1TB of storage if you want everything backed-up) and a VS600 (up to 4TB, so effectively 2TB of storage). That compares to about $4600 for a MX-531 plus a 777ES ($5,200 for 800 discs). And with the Vision you've got to rip all the CDs and DVDs - or pay someone else to do it.]

Anyway, I guess we're veering off-topic here. Does anyone have reliable information about Sony's plans for the 777?

Was at one of my distributors this morning, and they have 6 new in box 777ES sitting on the shelf.

Actually, the Blu-Ray specs allow for what they call managed copy.

[Link: blu-ray.com]

Has managed copy been implemented on HD DVD or Blu-ray yet?

I know they both have a provision for it, but I didn't think the details had been worked out yet.

the basic answer (at least for HD-DVD) is yes, about a year and a half ago, then it got hacked/cracked about 2 months later (my buddy is in charge of the team the did the drm code for it).

Since then any hobbiest (with a fair amount of computer knowlegde) could make it work just fine with a pair of computers and a high speed network. However, no physical (out of the box) products that I am aware of are being sold by manufacturers at this time.

I looked at the Sony Style website, and they have them in stock, so maybe the 777 is back in production.

Talking of managed copy for HD discs, someone from Kaleidescape told me they want to make HD-DVD and BD drives for their systems but they have been refused the necessary licences.

I have one for sale for 550 in fantastic shape also a mx 531 by escient.

I notice that Escient have announced that the Vision system can now be used to rip copy protected DVDs.

Also, checking the specs, it says the VS-100 and 200 can control external changers. According to one of the videos on their site, they have 4 HDMI (yes HDMI) inputs for up to four 400 disc changers.

Do they know something we don't? E.g. Sony introducing a new megachanger with RS232 and HDMI? It will be interesting to see if anything appears at CES...

Justformywork, I'm in the UK, so I'd need a multiregion modded 777 - is yours MR?

Where did Escient announce they could rip copy protected DVDS