Toshiba says HD DVD format isn't dead yet

[Chris Gerhard]

UMG is probably still pissed at Sony about SACD!

http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/11112/12136/universal-confirms-no-plans-blu-ray.phtml

That article about Universal Studios is from November and UMG already has some Blu-ray releases, the Elton John release mentioned here is one. UMG has supported Blu-ray from the start. The NBC Universal Media conglomerate, Universal Studios, is not affiliated with UMG although the logos sure look similar and that has likely confused consumers some.

A Universal Studios site, HD DVD exclusive:

http://www.universalstudios.com/index.php

Here is a UMG link when the company was promoting, SACD, DVD-A and DualDisc and as far as the next generation formats is Blu-ray exclusive:

http://consumers.umusic.com/

Chris

 

[elmer]

Toshiba just announced a new promotion today (read "price reduction"). Cutting the cost of the players by 50% which brings the entry level HD-A3 to $149.00, the 1080 P HD-A30 to $199.00 and the top of the line HD-A35 to $299.00.

I called Toshiba to see if they would offer any price protection to consumers that recently made the purchase - seeing as they need all the support they can get...got a bunch of double talk but basically you are SOL.

Not sure if I want to go return my player to Best Buy and re-purchase it for half price or go Blu Ray - right now I'm not feeling any love for Toshiba although I like the player.

 

[PossumPete]

I'm scouring ebay looking for a deal on the A30. Looks like a lot of people jumping ship!

 

[Chris Gerhard]

I'm scouring ebay looking for a deal on the A30. Looks like a lot of people jumping ship!

You can buy a new one for under $200 with 5 free HD DVD titles, not sure I would bother with eBay.

Chris

 

[Old Quad Guy]

Toshiba A3 players are starting off below $100 on eBay:
http://search.ebay.com/Toshiba-A3_W...bfmtsZ1QQsacatZQ2d1QQsaobfmtsZinsifQQsbrsrtZd

Amazon sells the A3 for $131.98:
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A3-720p-1080i-Player/dp/B000U62N1S

That still comes out almost the same as November's prices when you throw in the 3 extra HD-DVD's from Amazon that came with it for $199 (not including the 2 in the box). My invoice for the player then was around $144.

and the A30 for $170:
http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A3..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0B8NNT6M8H39A7HN1XGQ

Toshiba Steps Up HD DVD Push Post-CES; Slashes Player Prices
http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/01/14/toshiba-hddvd-bluray-tech-cx_pco_0114paidcontent.html

Quote:
"The theory: play up the acceptance by consumers who have already paid for HD DVD versus those who get it with something else like a gaming console, get more players out there—and dare studios to ignore those consumers."

Let's see how low these players go for and how many really get out there. It's going to be a tough sell for any HD format to make any headway against regular DVD until prices are well below sub $200. There's also the issue of people not wanting to buy their DVD collections all over again or being able to get many titles in either HD format.

 

[BananaSlug]

Now, if they could only get HD DVD burners out there people could buy the HD DVD players, then download the Blu-Ray rips that are floating around out there and make their own HD DVDs. Everyone wins... well, except for the corporate bastards who brought us this stupid format war.

Seriously though, I thought that the new formats were copy proof - sorta like SACD and DVD-A. Then, the other day I was poking around the internet for information on HD DVD and Blu-Ray and discovered rips of all the movies. Huge downloads, but they are there. Maybe Sony et al. will kill both formats off so that they can find a better copy protection scheme for a 'New and Improved' format to be named later.

I did wind up buying an HD tv for x-mas (though only a lowly 32" 720p). And, I was going to buy an HD DVD player as I thought that they were winning. But, that was a few weeks ago, now I see that in fact (thruthiness?) Blu-Ray is winning. At least there is added pressure for Blu-ray prices to drop as long as HD DVD hangs in there. I just started paying attention to this format war and already I'm bored. Next.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

At least there is added pressure for Blu-ray prices to drop as long as HD DVD hangs in there. I just started paying attention to this format war and already I'm bored. Next.

Yes, it’s hard to get excited over a few extra pixels. Now if they offered Quadraphonic titles on HD or the recent DVD-Audio / SACD titles on either HD formats that would be worth getting excited about.

Of course “Lord Of The Rings” with bonus footage on either HD format changes everything.
But then again a new cut of the film would still be avalable on regular DVD, so would that make much difference in terms of sales.

 

[Old Quad Guy]

Are Toshiba's Price Cuts HD DVD's Swan Song?

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/61206.html

Toshiba HD DVD Player in top five sales at Amazon

http://news.punchjump.com/article.php?id=5398

Amazon's HD DVDs as Low as $14.99:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.ht...ocId=1000186961&plpage=1&tag=httpwwwpuncco-20

Amazon's Blu-ray Discs as Low as $14.99:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.ht...ocId=1000186951&plpage=1&tag=httpwwwpuncco-20

But these prices are at about what regular DVD's are and what should have been all along if HD plans to capture sales from standard DVD's.

 

[PossumPete]

The prices on catalog titles have been dropping pretty consistently. You're right about this being the way to take on DVD. Same prices for better quality should win the day. It doesn't have to be a war, just the next step in the evolution of video. It's the same as TV moving up to HDTV. Once HDTV prices started to become realistic, they're selling through the roof. They're still going to be too expensive for a lot of people for a long time. I guess Little Johnny won't be going to college this year, I want a new HDTV!

 

[TRAINMAN92]

I've Talk To Studio People Out Here Ca. They All Have Said That It's Is Easyer To Go Against Toshiba Then To Win Agains't Sony Unless Your The Porn Ins. That Is Hd Dvd Thats Why Toshiba Is Droping Prices ,take Your Time You Will See By The End Of Sring The War Will Be Over!

 

[timbre4]

Toshiba Refuses To Wave The White Flag In HD DVD-Blu-Ray War

It's likely that Sony over time would be willing to pay Toshiba to drop HD DVD, so the industry could focus on the one format and end consumer jitters, one analyst suggests.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=205604607

 

[PossumPete]

You can buy a new one for under $200 with 5 free HD DVD titles, not sure I would bother with eBay.

I just scored a new HD-A30 for under $160 shipped on ebay. It comes with 300 and Bourne, too. Plus the guy saved his receipt so I can use the 5 discs rebate. The bargains are coming. Amazon is selling it for $175 now, too. WooHoo! :banana: