Budget Toshiba HD-DVD player less than $100 at Best Buy & Wal-Mart

[Zeus]

Best Buy are joining Wal-Mart in offering the new budget Toshiba HD-DVD player for less than $100. However, the major drawback of this player is that it can only output at a maximum of 1080i. However even at this crazily low price, it should still be possible to claim your five free HD DVD movies from Toshiba.


In the immortal words of Crazy Eddie, Best Buy is now offering Toshiba's entry-level HD-A2 HD DVD at a price so low they're practically giving it away.

Coming only a week after retailers almost universally dropped prices for the 1080i player below the $200 mark, Best Buy has lowered its price on the player to just $99. This latest price drop from Best Buy follows this morning's news that Wal-Mart would offer the same player for just $98 as part of a special in-store sale beginning this Friday.


News Source: <A href="http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/High-Def_Retailing/Toshiba/Best_Buy/Best_Buy_Drops_Toshiba_HD_DVD_Player_to_$99_Suppli es__Very_Limited/1134" target="_blank">highdefdigest</a>

[kickinass]

That's one hot deal. Hundred bones for the player and 5 movies. You can't go wrong here.

[dreary79]

I think that it's funny that Toshiba is selling HD-DVD players that aren't even "TRUE" HD. They suck so bad.

[cokemusic1]

they can't be selling that @ a profit.

[atmancloud]

god this is funny first buying off company's(although sony:rolleyes: might of done the same here) but it is very funny how company's will go to in extend to sell you S.H.I.T and yet people still buy lol.

[VGed666]

Is this good for 720p TVs?

[L84skewl]

so if it's not 1080p it's not HD? brilliance. Not everyone can afford to drop $1200 for a 1080p tv but can get a $600 1080i. Especially on smaller TV's it's not a big deal. 720p/1080i looks amazing on my 32". I don't think 1080p is worth it unless you're 40"+.

[loliix]

I've already seen this posted everywhere and it's a great deal for the consumer!
For less than USD$100 you will get yourself:
1) 5 HD movies of your choice
2) a really good standard definition DVD upscaler
3) an HD format player for the time being

Plus any half-decent 1080p HDTV should be able to de-interlace the 1080i signal, like it has been already documented all over the internet. For all of those who have a 720p/768p HDTV there isn't any issue there.

I can say that in my region 5 standard definition DVD's cost more than this bundle!

[Cyclone57]

so if it's not 1080p it's not HD? brilliance. Not everyone can afford to drop $1200 for a 1080p tv but can get a $600 1080i. Especially on smaller TV's it's not a big deal. 720p/1080i looks amazing on my 32". I don't think 1080p is worth it unless you're 40"+.
I gotta agree here. Is there really that much of a difference between 1080p and 1080i?

[loliix]

Is there really that much of a difference between 1080p and 1080i?Yes, there is.. Though technically the use of a de-interlacer and a bit of re-sync picture quality shouldn't take that much of a hit (it has already been done since the launch of the player, and there are many comparatives out there which show this).

[foundmy]

ya, i mean i like the price, but if its was 1080/24P that would be awesome.

but what gets me should the hd-dvd addon for the xbox360 be cheaper than this? is Microsoft just screwing us customers with their pricing, if they can sell these for under $100 i think the hd-dvd addon drive (not even a standalone player) should be like $70-80 range.

some might say why get 1080P and its too expensive, but why pay twice save up for a 1080P. i mean people would rather see a 720P than 1080i for better picture.

I think its funny that Onkyo has a 7.1 System (and onkyo is pushing hd-dvd) but the only thing that produces 7.1 is Blu-ray and no hd-dvd player has 7.1 audio (A35 is pseudo 7.1, not true) and the A35 is the closes thing is a PS3 as a blu-ray player for specs. A35 is $500 and ps3 are $399. hmm, which is better deal if we are talking deals. and PS3 is true 7.1.

i guess for those that want a cheap HD player great. but i would save up to do a purchase that will last me, rather than spending again in a year to get something i should of just saved up for now.

[Dark_angel]

What does this news have to do with the 360 or consoles anyway?

[firaX]

It still looks good enough for the price. Not everyone is sitting in front of their TV counting pixels like some of you guys here. 99$ is a great deal, esp. for ppl who got 32inch LCDs and cant even make use of 1080p anyways. Its a nice entry level player, less expensive than the xbox drive, and i bet much more quiet too. Honestly anyone buying a $600 player (either HD or BD) is wasting money anyways, since soon even those will be outdated, so i think the strategy to go for a 100$ player now, then get a real one in 2 years or w/e is the best way to go.

[miserabillis]

hmm..i think hd-dvd will win then..

[buzzyon]

Can't believe people are trashing this because it can't do 1080p. I'll easily pay $100 for an hd-dvd player and 5 movies.

[pezjono]

$99 bucks is a f^cking steal!!!
Anybody complaining about this needs to be shot in the knee cap.
A 1080i player with 5 free HD-DVDs!! Only $99!!!:eek:

[Soldiers On LSD]

Im just sick n tired of all that i and p stuff. Everything is on normal price until they hit the "1080p" and then it will double the price.

But anyways, what I want sorted out is something about one of them having the refresh rate going more smoothly. I think it was that P is progressive and therefore have moving images more smoothly and I having static images more crisp... Is how that it goes? It is really noticeable?

[danight]

http://www.betanews.com/article/Kmart_Dumps_Bluray_Due_to_Price/1193854397
Kmart Dumps Blu-ray Due to Price

Kmart has decided not to carry Blu-ray players due to their high prices, instead focusing solely on HD DVD this holiday. While it may no longer be the bastion of discount stores it once was, Kmart's move highlights the problems facing Sony's format as HD DVD continues to get cheaper.

The HD DVD Promotions Group said that Kmart's decision to go exclusive wasn't related to an end-cap purchase (where vendors can buy specific shelf space and lock out competitors), but rather because the cost of Blu-ray players are more tailored to home theater enthusiasts. HD DVD meanwhile, will have players under $200, with even deeper discounts after Thanksgiving.

In other news these new cheap hd-dvd drives seem to be turning retailer heads away from blu-ray. But for 100 bux you cant go wrong, i wish this was the hd-dvd addon for the xbox 360 though, but even still its 1 hell of a good deal!

[slayne]

I think if hd-dvd still doesnt show sign of beating blu-ray this holiday season with this prices the war might be soon over rather than later. As rumor has it that warner brother might go blue-ray only that will basically put hd-dvd in a really bad position. It might be a steal now but whats the point when no movie studio will be releasing movies for that format.

[Y2Bogus]

So if KMart is dropping Blu Ray does that mean Sears is also dropping it? One owns the other, I forget which.

[kickinass]

So if KMart is dropping Blu Ray does that mean Sears is also dropping it? One owns the other, I forget which.

Kmart does own Sears so it may very well turnout the same way. Not that it matters, I don't think very many people think about Sears when it comes to electronics.

[dwrecording]

so if it's not 1080p it's not HD? brilliance. Not everyone can afford to drop $1200 for a 1080p tv but can get a $600 1080i. Especially on smaller TV's it's not a big deal. 720p/1080i looks amazing on my 32". I don't think 1080p is worth it unless you're 40"+.


Good point and its a great player. Now ill pick up 2 instead of 1. :D

[SoCalSRH]

damn. this is a steal. now the hd war doesn't seem so risky for $100, and i'm sure average joe consumer will think the same. i'm all over it this next payday. i've got a 1080i 42" lcd and i couldn't give a sh!t about this only putting out 1080i instead of p.

[Kenban]

So if KMart is dropping Blu Ray does that mean Sears is also dropping it? One owns the other, I forget which.

K-Mart owns Sears. K-Mart owned a lot of land which was worth more then the stores were and that allowed them to buy out Sears. No one is sure if Sears will also drop Blu-ray since there has not been an announcement either way.

Wal-mart on the other hand has decided as well. At least for stand-alone players they are going HD-DVD exclusive. The only Blu-ray player that will be in Wal-mart stores soon will be the PS3.

[So-Unreal]

How much are the 3rd gen Toshiba players?

[N1GHTRA1N]

so if it's not 1080p it's not HD? brilliance. Not everyone can afford to drop $1200 for a 1080p tv but can get a $600 1080i. Especially on smaller TV's it's not a big deal. 720p/1080i looks amazing on my 32". I don't think 1080p is worth it unless you're 40"+.

We really can't see much a difference on a 65" sharp aquos 1080p TV. 1080p under 50" makes 0 difference and most 1080p tvs convert 1080i to 1080p flawlessly anyway.

[SoCalSRH]

it looks like all this 1080i/p talk is uncalled for. there is a firmware update for this player that adds 1080p output. here's the link, http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-images/notices/hddvd2firmware.asp :cool:

errr...nevermind. i just read this sentence "This firmware update adds support for 1080p/24Hz output to the HD-A20 and HD-XA2 players. For the HD-A2, HD-A2W, HD-D2, HD-A20 and HD-XA2 players, it adds more on-screen language display options. In addition, this firmware update improves network connectivity for supporting the download of web- enabled network content associated with certain HD DVD discs, and also addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related issues identified by Toshiba."

[N1GHTRA1N]

Its worth noting that the A2 might still have 3 movies in the box too. Friend of mine bought one for $199 Canadian about 6 weeks ago, came with 3 movies in the box and mail in for 5 movies too. So maybe you get the player and 8 movies for $98.

[N1GHTRA1N]

it looks like all this 1080i/p talk is uncalled for. there is a firmware update for this player that adds 1080p output. here's the link, http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-images/notices/hddvd2firmware.asp :cool:

Buying this player is almost like stealing.

But this firmware only adds 1080p to the HD-A20 and HD-XA2 players.

The A2 doesn't have the processor for 1080p, but like I said before most 1080p TV's do a fantastic job of deinterlacing. So good in fact you can't tell the difference unless using an extremely large screen.

[SoCalSRH]

Buying this player is almost like stealing.

But this firmware only adds 1080p to the HD-A20 and HD-XA2 players.

The A2 doesn't have the processor for 1080p, but like I said before most 1080p TV's do a fantastic job of deinterlacing. So good in fact you can't tell the difference unless using an extremely large screen.

lol. yea i edited my post after you quoted. /\

oh well...i'm still getting one.

[danight]

I don't think very many people think about Sears when it comes to electronics.

You would be surprised. Sears is bad for giving out credit cards with large limits (because their interest rates sucks). Thats why people shop them though for electronics, because they will give credit to just about anyone.

[MadMax31]

Great deal, even better than buying a DVD player :D, I hate how people can be so stupid to think than this player is a piece of crap just because it doesn't do 1080p :mad:, so what how many people have 1080p sets?, how much different is from 1080i (and please don't start with the technical garbage, I am an engineer and have work in the TV business for 5 years), I mean picture quality wise would any of you haters pay $300 or $400 more just to get 1080p instead of 1080i?, and how many people do you think will agree with you if you say yes? :rolleyes:.

Lets see how the blu-ray camp counters this offer...;)

[dennis872007]

i would buy it but the only movie for me on hd-dvd is transformers

[canadajames]

Well either way as long as I can play both movie formats it'll be cool might just get this for the free movies and sell the player or something. I gotta think though that unless making these players has gone down in price subsatntionally these people are desperate since they must be selling these at quite a loss after a starting price of 400+ for starting players.

[dennis872007]

Well either way as long as I can play both movie formats it'll be cool might just get this for the free movies and sell the player or something. I gotta think though that unless making these players has gone down in price subsatntionally these people are desperate since they must be selling these at quite a loss after a starting price of 400+ for starting players.

yeah the hd-dvd format is doing horrible and that is why they did this

[alexandertyler]

it looks like all this 1080i/p talk is uncalled for. there is a firmware update for this player that adds 1080p output. here's the link, http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-images/notices/hddvd2firmware.asp :cool:

errr...nevermind. i just read this sentence "This firmware update adds support for 1080p/24Hz output to the HD-A20 and HD-XA2 players. For the HD-A2, HD-A2W, HD-D2, HD-A20 and HD-XA2 players, it adds more on-screen language display options. In addition, this firmware update improves network connectivity for supporting the download of web- enabled network content associated with certain HD DVD discs, and also addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related issues identified by Toshiba."

The most useful piece of information in this thread!

Thank you!!!

Alex

[pezjono]

yeah the hd-dvd format is doing horrible and that is why they did this

Same can be said for the PS3...

P.S. I said that just to be a b!tch. I really do support the latest PS3 price drops.

[Kenban]

Buying this player is almost like stealing.

But this firmware only adds 1080p to the HD-A20 and HD-XA2 players.

The A2 doesn't have the processor for 1080p, but like I said before most 1080p TV's do a fantastic job of deinterlacing. So good in fact you can't tell the difference unless using an extremely large screen.

I am not sure if the processor is the problem here. The original file on the disk is 1080p to start with so it has to be able to decompress that at the full frame rate. I am not sure how the higher end HD-DVD players work but the Blu-ray players (except for I think its Phillips and the PS3) decode the 1080p source interlace it to 1080i then the output chips de-interlaces it back into 1080p if needed. To save money Toshiba might not have put in an output chip thats capable of de-interlacing it back into 1080p.

The A20 and XA2 always supported 1080p. The firmware actually added 1080p24 which allows the player to output films at their native 24 frames a second instead of the NTSC standard which is 29.96 frames a second (PAL is 25). Not even very many 1080p TV's support 1080p24. I think we are going to see a lot more 1080p 120Hz TV's because it can easily support almost all of the standards.

[dcxbox]

it cant do 1080p so its ****.... and for people who say you cant tell the difference in 1080i/p thats bs

ive seen films i have done in multiple res and i can tell the dif, although i prefer 2540p native res

[indolent]

it cant do 1080p so its ****.... and for people who say you cant tell the difference in 1080i/p thats bs

ive seen films i have done in multiple res and i can tell the dif, although i prefer 2540p native res

As people have said, whether it matters really depends on the screen you are watching it on. I'd bet more than 99% of the population couldn't tell the difference on a screen that is 50 inches or less.

The only thing holding me back from this is the studio support. I'm not buying an hd player until either all the studios supported it's format, or I can get a sub $200 dual format player.

[0 morgan 0]

it cant do 1080p so its ****.... and for people who say you cant tell the difference in 1080i/p thats bs

ive seen films i have done in multiple res and i can tell the dif, although i prefer 2540p native res

Yes because everyone owns a 1080p TV... your a moron.

[n0rthstar]

What does this news have to do with the 360 or consoles anyway?

The same reason any news about Blu ray goes into the PS3 section... There are no HD DVD and BR sections in the forum, where else would you suggest putting it?

[pCeSlAyEr]

as I said in the other thread... its so miiine!

[cinten99]

I think that it's funny that Toshiba is selling HD-DVD players that aren't even "TRUE" HD. They suck so bad.

Your not only an idiot, but a retard too.

[pCeSlAyEr]

I think that it's funny that Toshiba is selling HD-DVD players that aren't even "TRUE" HD. They suck so bad.

I can't believe people actually listen to the nonsense Sony says.

[grapeape]

I think that it's funny that Toshiba is selling HD-DVD players that aren't even "TRUE" HD. They suck so bad.

Wow sucks for HD then I thought they were struggling for market penetration already but if you have to cut out the majority of the TV's for sale since they arent concidered "TRUE HD" then there is practically no market at all...:rolleyes:

[dreary79]

Don't get me wrong, I think that Toshiba is smart trying to sell to poor folks that live in shelters. As for me I'm happy with my 60" Sony 1080p HDTV playing BR movies on my PS3 in "TRUE" HD. All of you homeless people can play your 360's and watch movies on your fake HD movie player because you're too poor for the real thing.

[KPunk]

Don't get me wrong, I think that Toshiba is smart trying to sell to poor folks that live in shelters. As for me I'm happy with my 60" Sony 1080p HDTV playing BR movies on my PS3 in "TRUE" HD. All of you homeless people can play your 360's and watch movies on your fake HD movie player because you're too poor for the real thing.


LOL what a troll, you must have Sony teaching you things. I love when people use the word "True HD" Like 1080i/720p isnt HD. And I am sure you are happy paying 3k for your tv when you could have gotten a Samsung for a 1K less. Go play your PS3 aka Bluray player.

[dennis872007]

LOL what a troll, you must have Sony teaching you things. I love when people use the word "True HD" Like 1080i/720p isnt HD. And I am sure you are happy paying 3k for your tv when you could have gotten a Samsung for a 1K less. Go play your PS3 aka Bluray player.

too bad samsung sell them for 3k to 5k :D

[daps83777]

LOL what a troll, you must have Sony teaching you things. I love when people use the word "True HD" Like 1080i/720p isnt HD. And I am sure you are happy paying 3k for your tv when you could have gotten a Samsung for a 1K less. Go play your PS3 aka Bluray player.

the dude is definately kidding around. i think its more a jab on sony fanboys than anything. about how they go on about the only hd being 1080p on blu-ray. despite the fact you can do 1080p as long as you buy a hd-dvd player with that function. but considering most hdtv owners only own a 720p/1080i hdtv set why charge more for a function they can't use. having a non 1080p model is pretty smart.

whats funny is sony understands this with the hdtv sets. you can buy bravia non 1080p models for tons cheaper at retailers like sears. seeing as the only benefit of 1080p is for movies at the moment. i doubt we see digital broadcast any time soon in 1080p unless its a major event like a super bowl or something.

its funny how the movie industry companies are trying to convince everyone that the digital switch over means everything is going high def. when everything is just going digital. if nobody wanted to do anything over 480p then could do that. as long as the signal is digital, resolution doesn't matter.

[grapeape]

Im one of the homeless people with only a 1080i bigscreen...I was tempted enough at $198 but at this price im getting one ASAP. I figure with that and the deal im working for a 20gig ps3 I should be all set.

[Banfro]

:D
farewell BETARAY !
:cool:

[heman110]

Well thats it if BR doesnt lower the price we will have a winner shortly. I wonder how they could lower the price that much so fast? Must selling at a loss?

[tralalawala]

it is very funny how company's will go to in extend to sell you S.H.I.T and yet people still buy lol.

it's called capitalism and consumerism, and around 2.5billion idiots of the worlds 6billion population fall for it.

HDDVD is ****, Blueray is ****. Both designed to remove money from the pockets of idiots.

[L84skewl]

Don't get me wrong, I think that Toshiba is smart trying to sell to poor folks that live in shelters. As for me I'm happy with my 60" Sony 1080p HDTV playing BR movies on my PS3 in "TRUE" HD. All of you homeless people can play your 360's and watch movies on your fake HD movie player because you're too poor for the real thing.

WOW. You are a douche. I'm going to guess you're between 14-16 years old. Last time I checked, Adults who actually have to WORK for their Money to buy things like TV's wouldn't talk like that. Have fun playing on Daddy's TV & PS3.

In the case that I'm wrong. How many newspapers did you have to deliver to buy that bad boy?

[brywalker]

I think that it's funny that Toshiba is selling HD-DVD players that aren't even "TRUE" HD. They suck so bad.

I can't believe you actually think that is true. You suck so bad.

[felixm477]

I think that it's funny that Toshiba is selling HD-DVD players that aren't even "TRUE" HD. They suck so bad.

its funnier how some ppl still use the term "TRUE HD" when the proper term is "FULL HD" for the obvious reason that 1080p cant be true hd by definition.

[felixm477]

too bad samsung sell them for 3k to 5k :D

um most of Samsungs 1080p 50" DLP's can be purchased for $1095-1200 ANYWHERE.

[felixm477]

it cant do 1080p so its ****.... and for people who say you cant tell the difference in 1080i/p thats bs

ive seen films i have done in multiple res and i can tell the dif, although i prefer 2540p native res

you prefer 2540p native res when there isnt a movie out that goes beyond 1080p? wow talk about retarted claim. and you cant tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p when the source itself is 1080p and you deffinetly wont see the difference if your set is 1080p it will de-interlace the same as a 108p output player why? because the chip taken out of the player to make it cheaper is on the tv doign the job on its end.

[jbondsr]

The price is incredible.
Especially since this tech is still relatively new.
How long did it take regular DVD players to come down to this price range?

However, I still have a feeling that the HD-DVD camp pushed for this to compete with the lower price of the PS3 for this holiday season. And with millions of customers going to electronics stores (the big ones like Best Buy, K-mart Wal-mart, etc.) in a rush starting this Thanksgiving, they couldn't be in a better position to compete. Especially if the stores are going to stop carrying standalone Blu-ray players.

I'd like a few things cleared:

1. Why would these stores stop carrying Blu-ray players? (Unless they were paid vast amounts to do so.)

2. If the 5 free HD-DVD movies still stand and they manage to do very well in their selling of the $99 HD-DVD player, won't there be major wait time to receive them? (I guess this could also be argued toward the PS3 and their 5 free Blu-ray movie offer.)

3. $99 and 5 free movies.....how much of a hit are they taking on this, financially?

4. Why are they pushing so hard to move either HD format? The vast majority still use analog TVs. Sure, the US is switching over to digital broadcasts, but people with cable or satellite service don't need to buy new sets, and there are converters for over-the-air digital signals to covert to analog. I would think most people would be satisfied with regular DVDs. It's not like a switch to these HD formats provide anything much like the great improvements that DVDs brought over VHS.

[whackawookie]

i cant believe people are actually bashing this. A hidef player that outputs 1080i which whether you want to accept or not is more widespread then 1080p and your finding reasons to put it down. if bluray released a player with the same set up and sold for this much it would be a blessing but because its hd-dvd its a problem. if you dont want it then dont buy it but i promise you when the figures come out that shows the sales there will be more people that disagree with you

[dennis872007]

i cant believe people are actually bashing this. A hidef player that outputs 1080i which whether you want to accept or not is more widespread then 1080p and your finding reasons to put it down. if bluray released a player with the same set up and sold for this much it would be a blessing but because its hd-dvd its a problem. if you dont want it then dont buy it but i promise you when the figures come out that shows the sales there will be more people that disagree with you

that just mean more people like blu ray. like in real life, where blu ray is outselling hd-dvd. it might take a lead after this but it will fall again

[splattered]

Nope... bluray is pretty much screwed until they can match that price point.

[dennis872007]

Nope... bluray is pretty much screwed until they can match that price point.

nope. because they are only gonna sell a limited amount of these at this price. which means it is doing terrible compared to blu ray. the loss they are taking is huge. after its over people will be like wtf now its 300 again. i saw for 99 two weeks ago and they won't buy it.

[PitViper401]

nope. because they are only gonna sell a limited amount of these at this price. which means it is doing terrible compared to blu ray. the loss they are taking is huge. after its over people will be like wtf now its 300 again. i saw for 99 two weeks ago and they won't buy it.

you actually think they'll end the huge sale ...... BEFORE the Thanksgiving shopping spree?

gg, genius

[dennis872007]

you actually think they'll end the huge sale ...... BEFORE the Thanksgiving shopping spree?

gg, genius

maybe not. but tell me what happens when the sale is done. they did say a limited amount and every other store has them in stock except best buy, because they probabily got about a hundred or less a store.you think they are gonna have a sale for a whole month.

[kickinass]

maybe not. but tell me what happens when the sale is done. they did say a limited amount and every other store has them in stock except best buy, because they probabily got about a hundred or less a store.you think they are gonna have a sale for a whole month.

Limited or not, This deal is gonna put a shitload of players in homes. There is also the better model which is gonna retail for $200. Bargain shoppers are gonna eat these players up and that is what the industry is interested in.

[PitViper401]

Limited or not, This deal is gonna put a shitload of players in homes. There is also the better model which is gonna retail for $200. Bargain shoppers are gonna eat these players up and that is what the industry is interested in.

That's exactly what they intended, and you know this sale is going to keep being repeated all the time until Christmas. Seriously, $100 for an HD-DVD player plus 5 movies? it's like buying 5 regular DVDs or HD-DVDs and getting a free player.

[grapeape]

Well if this is the same player WalMart was rumored to be in negotiations for ealier this year...the deal was for over 2 million of them....

[whackawookie]

nope. because they are only gonna sell a limited amount of these at this price. which means it is doing terrible compared to blu ray. the loss they are taking is huge. after its over people will be like wtf now its 300 again. i saw for 99 two weeks ago and they won't buy it.

riiiight, maybe you should check the sales of standalone players. bluray has lost all but one month. this sale will only keep the streak of sales up on the hd-dvd side and possibly add the much needed buzz

[grapeape]

Well as if the Best Buy and Wal-Mart deals werent enough...K-Mart announced it is dropping blu-ray support and selling only the Toshiba HD-DVD players...

http://tech.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1370755.php/Sub_$100_HD-DVD_player_hammers_more_nails_in_Blu-ray%92s_coffin_

http://www.propeller.com/viewstory/2007/10/31/kmart-drops-blu-ray-over-price/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftechnologyexpert.blogspot.com%2F 2007%2F10%2Fkmart-drops-blu-ray-over-price.html&frame=true

[kickinass]

Well as if the Best Buy and Wal-Mart deals werent enough...K-Mart announced it is dropping blu-ray support and selling only the Toshiba HD-DVD players...

http://tech.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1370755.php/Sub_$100_HD-DVD_player_hammers_more_nails_in_Blu-ray%92s_coffin_

Apparently that is not true at all.

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Kmart/Kmart:_Were_Purple/1137

[felixm477]

nope. because they are only gonna sell a limited amount of these at this price. which means it is doing terrible compared to blu ray. the loss they are taking is huge. after its over people will be like wtf now its 300 again. i saw for 99 two weeks ago and they won't buy it.

what are u talking about? sony is taking MORE of a LOSS in their bluray players and ps3's then the hd-dvd camp is with these players. the price isnt going to go from 99 to 300 you fool this model is going for that price to clear them out. and once the numbers hit in on how well they sold toshiba will more then likely release even more similar low end models for the simple reason of market penetration they would get a loss now but once everyone owns a hd-dvd player their movie sales will go up and cover it. seriously if u want to talk about losses give your pitty to sony who is actually losing an arm and a leg to stay in the game.

[felixm477]

Well if this is the same player WalMart was rumored to be in negotiations for ealier this year...the deal was for over 2 million of them....

2 millions and im sure those 2 mil will sell out easily. toshiba can easily afford a loss and keep producing these models or even a 1080p model if they wanted to and catch up if not surpass bluray sales becaues quite frankly the only thing giving bluray a sale is the ps3 and that wont sell nearly as fast enough and sony cant lower their players to that level or it will seriously hurt their ps3 console sales. its obvious toshiba knows pretty well how to sell and how to penetrate the market they did afterall practically single handedly bring in the DVD and made it the widley accept standard all in under a year. sony has no experience getting any media off the ground.

[dennis872007]

Well as if the Best Buy and Wal-Mart deals werent enough...K-Mart announced it is dropping blu-ray support and selling only the Toshiba HD-DVD players...

http://tech.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1370755.php/Sub_$100_HD-DVD_player_hammers_more_nails_in_Blu-ray%92s_coffin_

http://www.propeller.com/viewstory/2007/10/31/kmart-drops-blu-ray-over-price/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftechnologyexpert.blogspot.com%2F 2007%2F10%2Fkmart-drops-blu-ray-over-price.html&frame=true

too bad that aint true at all:D

[splattered]

My friend's wife tried to go to 2 local wal marts and 3 semi local best buys and they were sold out of the HD-DVD player at every one... if toshiba can keep this up they will CRUSH blue ray. damn.

[dennis872007]

My friend's wife tried to go to 2 local wal marts and 3 semi local best buys and they were sold out of the HD-DVD player at every one... if toshiba can keep this up they will CRUSH blue ray. damn.

if this does not help hd-dvd beat blu ray in sales for the next few months than its pretty pathetic

[Y2Bogus]

Well, if you couldn't get one from Walmart for 98 or from Bestbuy.com for 89, you can now get it from Circuitcity.com for 129

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Toshiba-HD-DVD-Player-HDA2/sem/rpsm/oid/169466/catOid/-17261/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[Mikeyy]

This looks familier, oh, now I know, Desperation Don't be surpised if Toshiba does another VHS on us. They are going to give up there rights to the technology.

Dammit. Can't win, so they give it away, and martyr themselfs.

[Y2Bogus]

It's called the Gillette business model, give away the razor, sell the blades. And it's precisely the strategy that will decide the format war.

[blade732]

Average consumer with an HDTV walks into a Best Buy... Stumbles into the high-def movie section. He by now knows the difference between SD and HD... and thinks to himself looking at the high-def formats:

"Hmmm what the hell is a Blu-Ray?
HD-DVD? Well, I know what HD is, and I know what a DVD is... This makes sense.
HD-DVD player for 100 bucks... or a Blu-Ray player for 300+?
Five free movies?!" [Looks to find the douche with the keys so he can check out]

Toshiba knows this holiday, whoever capitalizes, will most likely be the high-def format. They will make the losses from these price cuts up in the future when the cost of production depreciates, and the format catches on.

[daps83777]

too bad that aint true at all:D

actually it is true as far as stand alone players go. the reason they are saying they aren't exclusive to hd-dvd at kmart is because they said they are counting the PS3 as a blu-ray player. but they will only carry hd-dvd standalone players.

also the reason the price is so cheap on this hd-dvd player is because it is the only model and they are clearancing them out at this price. they had already been marked down everywhere to $199. the clearence price is $99. the replacement model is only $199 on sale at best buy this week. also if you buy a an $900 hdtv they knock $100 buck off that sales price so you get it for $99. plus you leave the store with 4 hd-dvd's plus get 5 through the mail.

also an interesting thing to note, is so far today three people i know that i would never expect to jump on a new format so soon purchased hd-dvd players for themselves today. a couple of them where planning on buying upscaling dvd players but they heard about this deal and the hd-dvd player will upscale standards dvd's as well and do it for only about $25 more than a decent up converting dvd player. so they jumped on board and figured they at least got themselves an upscaling dvd player.

[Evil-Rebirth]

Well, I picked up mine today. Too bad I had already spent $100 on a Samsung upscaling DVD player. Still, at $98, I don't see a reason why this isn't a great deal. A lot of people are adopting HDTVs - how can they pass up an offer like this? After spending over $1000 on my TV, I wasn't ready to spend 1/3 of that price on a movie player. Oh, and the picture quality was exceptionally good for Transformers. The only thing that's gonna keep HDDVD from being a mega success is the price of the movies. I wish they would sell for no more than $3 above the price of standard DVDs.

[dennis872007]

Well, I picked up mine today. Too bad I had already spent $100 on a Samsung upscaling DVD player. Still, at $98, I don't see a reason why this isn't a great deal. A lot of people are adopting HDTVs - how can they pass up an offer like this? After spending over $1000 on my TV, I wasn't ready to spend 1/3 of that price on a movie player. Oh, and the picture quality was exceptionally good for Transformers. The only thing that's gonna keep HDDVD from being a mega success is the price of the movies. I wish they would sell for no more than $3 above the price of standard DVDs.

that is one reason why this will only help hd-dvd for a while. most people who buy a cheap hd-dvd will not be willing to spend that much money on hd-dvd. they will probably just buy regular dvd for the most part. but someone that is willing to spend 400 dollars for a blu ray player will most likely buy more blu ray movies.

[Evil-Rebirth]

that is one reason why this will only help hd-dvd for a while. most people who buy a cheap hd-dvd will not be willing to spend that much money on hd-dvd. they will probably just buy regular dvd for the most part. but someone that is willing to spend 400 dollars for a blu ray player will most likely buy more blu ray movies.

That's a logical conclusion, but I think that there is plenty of room for an affordable HD video player solution for educated consumers. It makes for a very reasonable purchase right after plunking down big bucks on an HDTV. Realistically, I could've afforded a higher end model, but seeing what the prices of HD movies (Bl-ray or Hd-Dvd) is, I didn't see the incentive in investing so much money for the player alone.

Being sensible on your spending doesn't necessarily mean you are cheap. My first Sony DVD player (I believe it was 2nd generation) cost me around $300 when I bought it - but there was no format war going on. So my purchase was a long term guaranteed investment. At $98, even if HD DVD bites the dust, I won't feel an extreme negative impact. Now all I need is some reasonably priced HD movies.

[jambooboo]

Wow that's like £50 - Wal-mart needs to bring this deal over to it's UK Asda stores.

Seems like Blu-Ray is gonna be bullied out of the market, regardless of whether or not it is a better format.

[dennis872007]

That's a logical conclusion, but I think that there is plenty of room for an affordable HD video player solution for educated consumers. It makes for a very reasonable purchase right after plunking down big bucks on an HDTV. Realistically, I could've afforded a higher end model, but seeing what the prices of HD movies (Bl-ray or Hd-Dvd) is, I didn't see the incentive in investing so much money for the player alone.

Being sensible on your spending doesn't necessarily mean you are cheap. My first Sony DVD player (I believe it was 2nd generation) cost me around $300 when I bought it - but there was no format war going on. So my purchase was a long term guaranteed investment. At $98, even if HD DVD bites the dust, I won't feel an extreme negative impact. Now all I need is some reasonably priced HD movies.

see you proved my point. at the end you write that you want more reasonably priced movies. that is what most people might think who bought this players. they might get their favorite movie on hd-dvd (if it's even available on hd-dvd) but everything else they will just buy the dvd

[grapeape]

that is one reason why this will only help hd-dvd for a while. most people who buy a cheap hd-dvd will not be willing to spend that much money on hd-dvd. they will probably just buy regular dvd for the most part. but someone that is willing to spend 400 dollars for a blu ray player will most likely buy more blu ray movies.

But they already tried the niche market idea before..it was called laserdisk and it failed miserably. Based on your logic both are completely doomed.

[dennis872007]

But they already tried the niche market idea before..it was called laserdisk and it failed miserably. Based on your logic both are completely doomed.

people who have more money to spend will spend more money. people who have less money will spend less. so people who buy a blu-ray player for the most part can actually afford the movies so it won't fail. the reverse is true people who buy hd-dvd that they could otherwise not have afford and that is why hd-dvd is doomed.

[Evil-Rebirth]

see you proved my point. at the end you write that you want more reasonably priced movies. that is what most people might think who bought this players. they might get their favorite movie on hd-dvd (if it's even available on hd-dvd) but everything else they will just buy the dvd

So you don't mind paying $27-$30 for a movie? I'm sure I'm not part of a small minority that thinks that this is too much for a movie - especially since we are accustomed to paying $15-$20 for new releases. Even if I had bought a Blu-ray player, it wouldn't mean that more expensive hardware would justify more expensive movies. In other words, regardless of what you pay for the hardware, you are still ultimately paying for an HD movie solution. Just because somebody owns a cheap dvd player, doesn't necessarily mean that they have a small DVD collection.

[dennis872007]

So you don't mind paying $27-$30 for a movie? I'm sure I'm not part of a small minority that thinks that this is too much for a movie - especially since we are accustomed to paying $15-$20 for new releases. Even if I had bought a Blu-ray player, it wouldn't mean that more expensive hardware would justify more expensive movies. In other words, regardless of what you pay for the hardware, you are still ultimately paying for an HD movie solution. Just because somebody owns a cheap dvd player, doesn't necessarily mean that they have a small DVD collection.

they will have more dvd's only because the dvd are cheap, and that is why they bought a cheap dvd player. again that is my point. people who buy this will not pay for 30 dollar movies.

[tralalawala]

people who have more money to spend will spend more money.

But when those people are part of a tiny minority (as they were with laserdisc) then the product is bound to fail as their just isn't enough money to sustain.

BR and HDDVD are both destined to failure. I think it'll be the generation after this that HD truly takes off (just like laserdisc failed and dvd took off).

[whackawookie]

well because everybody kept speculating that warner was turning to bluray and used it as an excuse not to go to hd-dvd those rumors can now be put to rest

"Like any major company, we are always reviewing our strategies in every aspect of our business, it is what smart companies do. I can't say what may happen five, ten years down the line. But right now, Warner Bros. has made no decision to change course. We are still onboard with both formats, and will continue [with a strong line-up of new releases and catalog titles], just as we have in the past in supporting HD DVD and Blu-ray."


http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Warner/Warner_Says_Blu-ray_Comments_Misquoted_and_Misconstrued/1135