I'm just saying that since 2007 the prices of BD players really hasn't dropped much at all.  Still way too high (in the 250+ range for 2.0 profile players still).

And this is 2 years from then....  So if the Diodes were a huge part of the costs, there would have been a lot cheaper BD players by now.

not likely: due to the fact that there are not enough companies that make the Blue laser diode's to go around until recently, and yes the prices have dropped by quite a bit, in most cases below $200.00. even if the Blu-Ray player is not 2.0 profile it will still play the Blu-Ray movie , yea not all the extra live content but that's what the 2.0 player's are for. 

see the main problem is the type of laser and what your company invested in:

take sony and sharp for example

both invested into blue laser diodes early but Sony invested more into development :

Sony as a matter of fact:

used in all Blu-ray Disc drives to an industry-leading 1.7 million diodes per month. The company has also set plans in motion to increase production to 5 million a month soon.

has

Sony’ laser diode production facility, which boasts the top share in the industry, is located in the midst of relaxing nature.
While putting down roots in the region, Sony Shiroishi Semiconductor is leading the world in laser technology, in both R&D and manufacturing.
Next spring, when the swans, which are the symbol of the region, are about to take flight, mass production of blue-violet laser diodes will begin.

http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_news/vol41/sideview.html

if any thing that caused the reduction in the cost of the PS3 Blu-Ray was One of the Big one's because the more Diode's that Sony can Sell the faster they could lower the Cost of the PS3's Blu-Ray optical Drive. which by the Cost of the Blue laser diode was a big cost.

I have a feeling the real cost reduction came from 45nm Cell and RSX chips as well as shrinking the overall cooling and casing.  If Diodes were already just $8 as of 2007, they can't have reduced the price overall by much more than $6 from the BD drive...

Yea those also quite a bit, but as i was pointing out, Sony is one of the largest Blue laser diode production companies, an so other CE companies buy their diode's off of Sony,the optical drive Diode alone is $8.00 not the whole optical drive!

remember that's the cost for Sony per/Diode not for other Companies

Sony has been investing into Blue laser development since 1997.

Blu-Ray is quite a big factor in the reduction of the cost of the PS3 along with the other component's you just stated.

^I realize that isn't the cost of the whole optical drive! :p I guess I didn't know what you were trying to say, but now I think I see that you were saying Sony produces and then SELLS Diodes to other manufacturers so they make some profit there. Is that what you were saying?

yea, the fact that Sony is one of the largest blue laser diode production companies they can indeed sell the Diode to other's to make a profit, and prob do

Sony an Nichia

for example: back in 2004

Sony Corp. has forged an agreement with Nichia Corp. on the cross licensing of their blue-violet laser diodes used in rewritable optical memory discs.The agreement is expected to strengthen the companies' collaboration which began in December 2002. The partnership will also enable the companies' unlimited use of all related patents on blue-violet laser diodes applied in optical disc recording/playback. Both companies have filed for a combined total of about 800 patents.

Through the cross licensing, both Sony and Nichia will start mass producing and supplying blue-violet laser diodes. These laser diodes, required in the Blu-ray Disc system, enable the digital recording of HD movies commercially and the professional disc system XDCAM. The market for the Blu-ray Disc system is expected to increase significantly.

Both companies have agreed to continue their partnership in developing technologies that will enhance the performance of blue-violet laser diodes.

Ms have been taking a beating on xbox for a deacde.  Eventually people will want to make some $ of it, so when the choice is presented of profits or be in the red and counter sony.  A decision will haveto  be made.

Down or not PS2 and PSP make money, and given go's price they got to be making money on the hardware and the downloads are pure profits of Sony no cut for retailers there.

whatever...360 is already on the decline...ps3 is picking up the pace and soon we'll see the sales surpassing it by mid 2010. And I admit that u've got guts to state so...Japanese H/W sales numbers for 360 is a joke..

And then 2010 rolls around, MS price cut + Natal + Console rebranding/redesign of some sort and once again the 360 worldwide lead goes right back up to 8 million or maybe even higher while the PS3 sales once again decline.

You must be short sighted and have forgotten about all the past shifts in sales/price?  And to be honest, PS3 sales in JP are a joke considering last generation.  This gen they'll be lucky to finish with half the sales the PS2 had in JP!