BDA better make some moves soon

[BigB88]

The BDA needs to act now, what are they waiting for?

http://bigtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com...for-under-200/

[ryoohki]

Walmart is simply Firesaling last generation Toshiba Hardware. Toshiba must have hundread of player sitting in facilities and what to sell them as fast as they can.

A2 isn't made by Toshiba anymore, A3, A30 and A35 replaced this model. Most store in Canada don't have A2,A20,XA2 anymore..

[aphex]

still, all of the players will sell at that price.

nov 2 will rape that though, for sure

[Mericalis]

This one has already been discussed today from someone who either works at Wal-Mart or something...sad that people are being a bit misled by the link you supplied. People with tech sense should start pointing out on there that it is a 1080i player, not 1080p...it's out of date and ready for the trash heap right below the other new Tosh models. We'll call them kindling for the logs.

[docjan_uk]

I guarantee you that the people who buy this wont give a crap that it's 1080i... and once they're on the HD DVD wagon they're on it.
Anyway, just another move in the war.

[BigB88]

Originally Posted by Mericalis

This one has already been discussed today from someone who either works at Wal-Mart or something...sad that people are being a bit misled by the link you supplied. People with tech sense should start pointing out on there that it is a 1080i player, not 1080p...it's out of date and ready for the trash heap right below the other new Tosh models. We'll call them kindling for the logs.

Agreed, but novices reading this are going to say, geez these are inexpensive and I thought HiDef was expensive, maybe I should go out and get one, since the price is low. Reading the article makes it sound like these are not "firesale units" (as they really are) but the latest and greatest. Seems misleading to me, but again to most it will have appeal. That's why I think (and I may be in the minority around here) that some of the BDA manufacturers need to get their players into the low $300's or even below $300. With the PS3 40GB at $399, it doesn't make sense for these CE manufacturers to also sell standalone players at $399.

[Vonscoot]

Originally Posted by BigB88

Agreed, but novices reading this are going to say, geez these are inexpensive and I thought HiDef was expensive, maybe I should go out and get one, since the price is low. Reading the article makes it sound like these are not "firesale units" (as they really are) but the latest and greatest. Seems misleading to me, but again to most it will have appeal. That's why I think (and I may be in the minority around here) that some of the BDA manufacturers need to get their players into the low $300's or even below $300. With the PS3 40GB at $399, it doesn't make sense for these CE manufacturers to also sell standalone players at $399.

WM is an ideal retailer to offload these players, as the majority of HDTV's sold at WM are 720p/1080i. Full HD or not, those customers will not notice a difference of 1080i vs 1080p on their 720p/1080i set. These players are practically designed for their TV's and will still look amazing compared to their regular DVD players. As far as this customer base, many who would purchase their TV at WM don't even have a HT system so would reap almost no benefit from the audio superiority of blu-ray.

While those of us on this forum can clearly distinguish between full High Definition and these sub-par HD-DVD players, your average WM customer may not.

[vw mofo]

Newsflash people. 70% of HDTV's are 720p/1080i. If you don't think this is going to affect the war at all, you need to have your heads examined. Walmart IS going to sell the crap outta these things.

Blu-ray NEEEEEEEEDS (I cannot stress that enough) an entry level player to compete in this market. People balk at paying $500 for a BD player for the same reason people don't buy 1080p TV's.

[BigB88]

Originally Posted by Vonscoot

WM is an ideal retailer to offload these players, as the majority of HDTV's sold at WM are 720p/1080i. Full HD or not, those customers will not notice a difference of 1080i vs 1080p on their 720p/1080i set. These players are practically designed for their TV's and will still look amazing compared to their regular DVD players. As far as this customer base, many who would purchase their TV at WM don't even have a HT system so would reap almost no benefit from the audio superiority of blu-ray.

While those of us on this forum can clearly distinguish between full High Definition and these sub-par HD-DVD players, your average WM customer may not.

Again, I agree, so what is the BDA's answer? Are they going to try and compete in this space or just write it off. I have a feeling if they right it off, this will be a large potential customer base being ignored and BD will suffer for it. Not trying to spread FUD, just trying to understand what the BDA strategy is (or even if there is one).

[Leopold BUTTERS]

Is there a rule that all bd players MUST have 1080p support? Or could sony and friends release cheap bd players with 1080i as the hightest resolution?

[Mericalis]

Originally Posted by Leopold BUTTERS

Is there a rule that all bd players MUST have 1080p support? Or could sony and friends release cheap bd players with 1080i as the hightest resolution?

IMO, then you lose one of the appeals of being part of the Blu experience. It's always been about the quality to me, not how cheap. But there could be something of a compromise eventually, not sure...the question being asked by the OP about BDA's stance would probably be best answered by an insider.

[MotionBlurr]

I can see this coming Sunday people looking at the newspaper ads promoting this cheap Toshiba model and rushing out to by one. Its sad these people won't know what they will be getting themselves into. All they will see is the letters HD and they will get it.

[Blu-Light]

Not concerned in the least:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=21235

[talbers23]

Originally Posted by docjan_uk

I guarantee you that the people who buy this wont give a crap that it's 1080i... and once they're on the HD DVD wagon they're on it.
Anyway, just another move in the war.

agreed. it will be uneducated people buying all these, not people demanding the best. on the same note, will these be the people willing to spend thousands a year to build a library of movies, i think not. I am and i also demand perfection so it made my decision of blu or hd dvd a very easy choice.

[oscar_in_fw]

Originally Posted by talbers23

agreed. it will be uneducated people buying all these, not people demanding the best. on the same note, will these be the people willing to spend thousands a year to build a library of movies, i think not. I am and i also demand perfection so it made my decision of blu or hd dvd a very easy choice.

Once those buyers notice a difference with an HD DVD movie, they'll be more inclined to buy HD movies despite the cost differential. This could be a very worrisome development, especially if Wal-Mart is able to sell as many of these as they have stock. Is Toshiba closing the A2s out or have they quietly produced massive quantities of these for Wal-Mart (and other) outlets to try to seal a convincing Standalone player victory over Blu-ray ? THis is exactly the kind of tactic I'd expect Toshiba to pull assuming they aren't selling these players at too big of a loss (if any).

A lot may depend on how many HD DVD movies Wal-Mart puts on the shelves and/or customer realization they can't get Disney/Fox/Sony HD DVDs.

I don't know what Blu-ray players can possibly compete at the $200 pricepoint, but the lack of a relatively cheap "Blu-ray lite" 1080i player might be a huge strategic blunder.

[Leopold BUTTERS]

Originally Posted by oscar_in_fw

Once those buyers notice a difference with an HD DVD movie, they'll be more inclined to buy HD movies despite the cost differential. This could be a very worrisome development, especially if Wal-Mart is able to sell as many of these as they have stock. Is Toshiba closing the A2s out or have they quietly produced massive quantities of these for Wal-Mart (and other) outlets to try to seal a convincing Standalone player victory over Blu-ray ? THis is exactly the kind of tactic I'd expect Toshiba to pull assuming they aren't selling these players at too big of a loss (if any).

A lot may depend on how many HD DVD movies Wal-Mart puts on the shelves and/or customer realization they can't get Disney/Fox/Sony HD DVDs.

I don't know what Blu-ray players can possibly compete at the $200 pricepoint, but the lack of a relatively cheap "Blu-ray lite" 1080i player might be a huge strategic blunder.

I agree with the Blu-Ray Lite thing, sure it might be a loss that BD takes and not having the "Perfect" image or label is not a bad thing. Sure its 1080i but if people don't have the TV for the player, why make them buy it? They could easily make 200$ BD players that were 1080i and give the bare minimum, BD would lose that image but hey, they'd sell more stand alones and secure the win, in the end its about the win not the image. Just look at HD DVD.

[doctorD]

There have been posts on this since yesterday, where it was indicated that no one was buying these players and that Walmart is trying to fulfill their contract with Toshiba by selling these players. They are doing this on the cheap so that they can offload them. From what was stated, Walmart has less then 100,000 units of these (indicated by an employee). This won't even make a dent in how many Blu ray players are in consumers hands. Why do you think no other player manufacturer will touch HD DVD...they can't make any money on them because they are on the cheap.

The employee also mentioned that they will be getting in a boat load of the $399 40GB PS3 to sell for the holiday season. I will try to find the link.

I can guarantee you that a lot of these players will be returned on December 26 or after

So if you have a Blu ray player...just enjoy it and don't worry yourself about these cheap players.

And if you are not true Blu and over here trying to stir things up ...shame on you!!!

[bmr76]

I think the current install base of blu is strong enought to take on this holiday season without an el cheapo player. Sony is counting on counteracting what few dud players sell with ps3 and standalones at a little higher price point. They have always said media drives hardware- toshiba doesnt seem to understand that, hence almost 50/50 in standalone sales with bd being twice as much. By next holiday if bda cant get players cost down to 200 I think they will be in trouble. People that by dud might next year toss it out and by a blu player, once they realize they cant get disney, fox etc. who knows.

[richard lichtenfelt]

People who buy a cheapo hd dvd player from walmart will be movie renters. This shouldn't affect the sale of hd dvd software much at all.

[owa]

Originally Posted by BigB88

Again, I agree, so what is the BDA's answer? Are they going to try and compete in this space or just write it off. I have a feeling if they right it off, this will be a large potential customer base being ignored and BD will suffer for it. Not trying to spread FUD, just trying to understand what the BDA strategy is (or even if there is one).

I don't know, imo, it seems a stretch to expect them to try to counter a clearance item (if that's what it really is).