Trend Tracker: Thrifty Blu-ray

Wal-Mart is maintaining its role as the low-priced leader in Blu-ray DVD player sales. In August, it cut $20 off the price of its Magnavox player, reducing it to $278. That same month, Best Buy lowered the price of its Insignia Blu-ray player to $299 and both Wal-Mart and Best Buy rolled out the new Sony BD350 player (pictured) at prices under $300. Target played a part by selling the Sony BD300 for $272 in an August clearance sale.

Summer trends indicate that player prices could drop under $200 during the holiday season, something the industry hopes will kick-start high-definition DVD sales, which have seen only a slow rise since the format debuted in 2006.