Meanwhile, we mentioned yesterday that Samsung’s UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray player is now up for pre-order on Amazon for just $399 (click here or on the image below). Here’s the kicker: All TEN of Fox’s first wave UHD BD titles are now up for pre-order as well with a street date of 3/1 (including The Martian, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Life of Pi, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Hitman: Agent 47, Fantastic Four, The Maze Runner, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Wild). Amazon is saying 3/1 as the expected ship date for the player too, so clearly they’re coordinating the release of both on the same day. Best of all, Fox’s UHD BD titles carry an SRP of just $39.99 each, and Amazon has discounted price for Ridley Scott’s The Martian to only $29.99. Not bad! Whatever else you think of 4K UHD, you can’t deny that the entry-level price is very consumer friendly. Here’s a look at the player and all 10 discs – click on each image to pre-order on Amazon (and remember that doing so helps to support The Bits, which we greatly appreciate)...

Okay, back with more CES coverage later this afternoon. Stay tuned...

- Bill Hunt