Let the FUD Slinging Continue!

[Xerious]

Toshiba Deploys New HD DVD Marketing Initiatives Based on Strong Fourth Quarter Unit Sales

Mass Market Acceptance Confirms that HD DVD is the Consumer's Choice for
Next Generation High Def Entertainment

WAYNE, N.J., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Toshiba America Consumer Products,
L.L.C. ("Toshiba") today announced that it is stepping up its successful
marketing campaign for HD DVD as it experienced record-breaking unit sales
in the fourth quarter of 2007. Major initiatives, including joint
advertising campaigns with studios and extended pricing strategies will
begin in mid- January and are designed to spotlight the superior benefits
of HD DVD as well as the benefits HD DVD brings to a consumer's current DVD
library by upconverting standard DVDs via the HDMI(TM) output to near high
definition picture quality.

As Toshiba achieved the #1 sales volume in the next generation DVD
category with an approximately 50 percent market share in 2007, HD DVD is
proven to be the format of choice for consumers. Coupled with an 80 percent
plus market share of all next generation DVD equipped notebooks for the 4th
quarter 2007, the HD DVD format has already paved the way to a high
definition digital AV solution by eliminating the boundaries between the
consumer's living room and on the go.

HD DVD not only creates the ultimate high definition entertainment
experience, leveraging all of the promise of the format such as superior
audio/video performance, Web-enabled network capabilities and advanced
interactive features - it also has a high-level of compatibility with DVD.
With DVD upconversion via the HDMI output, HD DVD players instantly make a
movie lover's existing DVD library look better than ever.

"HD DVD is the best way to watch movies in high definition," said Jodi
Sally, Vice President of Marketing, Toshiba's Digital A/V Group. "Our HD
DVD players not only play back approximately 800 HD DVD titles available
worldwide and deliver an entirely new level of entertainment but also
enhance the picture quality to near high definition on legacy DVD titles by
all studios. In short, we added high def to DVD which already is the de
facto standard format created and approved by the DVD Forum that consists
of more than two hundred companies."

New Marketing Strategy for Mass Market Adoption

Taking the holiday season sales based on promotional prices into full
consideration, these new manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) are
designed to meet the potential demand for HD DVD players in the U.S.
market. Effective on January 13, 2008 the MSRP of the entry-model HD-A3
will be $149.99, the HD-A30, with 1080p output, $199.99, and the high-end
HD-A35, $299.99.

"While price is one of the consideration elements for the early
adopter, it is a deal-breaker for the mainstream consumer," said Yoshi
Uchiyama, Group Vice President Digital A/V Group. "Consumer sales this
holiday season have proven that the consumer awareness of the HD DVD format
has been elevated and pricing is the most critical determinant in
consumers' purchase decision of the next generation HD DVD technology. The
value HD DVD provides to the consumer simply cannot be ignored."

Extended Advertising Campaign

Toshiba plans to execute an extended advertising campaign that will
further enhance consumer awareness of the benefits of HD DVD and drive
sales to retail among potential consumers. Advertising strategies will
include television, print and online media channels. Toshiba will also work
with its dealers and studio partners on joint marketing and promotional
initiatives to promote HD DVD. Current promotions include "The Perfect HD
Offer" - a mail-in offer allowing consumers to select five HD DVD titles
for free from a selection of 15 with the purchase of any Toshiba HD DVD
player.

Consistent Viewing Experience and More

With advanced interactivity and Web-enabled network capabilities built
into every HD DVD player through a dedicated Ethernet port as mandated by
the specifications approved by the DVD Forum, Toshiba delivers on the
promise of a consistent entertainment experience through firmware updates
as studios launch new applications. HD DVD allows studios to flex their
creative muscle in ways never before seen. The latest of these new
experiences is online streaming. Now, when consumers connect their HD DVD
player to the Internet, they can stream new content or trailers, as
available, directly from a movie studio's server.

Universal Home Video, Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG
have reported that an average of 30 percent of HD DVD owners have accessed
Web- enabled network features and continue to do so regularly.

Ongoing Customer Commitment

In order to ensure that its customers will receive complete
satisfaction from their new players, Toshiba introduced the "HD DVD
Concierge" earlier this month. Consumers can now call 1-888-MY HDDVD
(1-888-694-3383) for answers to general questions about HD DVD, for
operational assistance or for assistance with various promotions.

About Toshiba HD DVD Players

With the HD DVD format, select HD DVD players allow consumers to
experience true high def 1080p for extraordinary resolution that matches
the latest state of the art 1080p HDTVs. These same players display images
at 24 frames per second, the same frame rate used by directors when using
film to create motion pictures, for a smoother, more film-like, viewing
experience.

Important Notes:

HD DVD with high-definition content required for HD viewing. Up-
conversion of DVD content will result in near HD picture quality. Viewing
high-definition content and up-converting DVD content may require an HDCP
capable DVI or HDMI input on your display device. 1080p capable display
required for viewing content in 1080p. Firmware update may be required for
some interactive features depending on content, which may also require an
always-on broadband internet connection. Some features may require
additional bandwidth. To take advantage of web-enabled network content,
installing the latest firmware (ver.2.4 for HD DVD player models HD-XA1,
HD-A1, and HD-D1; ver.2.7 for HD-XA2, HD-A2, HD-A2W, HD-D2, HD-A2C, and
HD-A20; and ver.1.3 for HD-A35, HD-A30, and HD-A3) is required. Web-enabled
network features require an always on broadband connection along with
specific movie titles that include this form of content. For 24p output,
content that was created in 1080p/24 frames/sec is required. Viewing 24p
output requires an HD display capable of accepting a 1080p/24Hz signal. Use
of REGZA Link, which is a feature based on HDMI-CEC, requires an HDMI-CEC
compatible display device. Depending on the specifications of your TV, some
or all REGZA Link functions may not work even if your TV is HDMI-CEC
compatible. Dolby(R) Digital Plus, Dolby(R) TrueHD and DTS(R) support for
up to 5.1 channels (DTS HD(R) support for DTS(R) core only). MP3/WMA audio
files not supported. HDMI audio output requires connection to a PCM capable
device. Because HD DVD is a new format that makes use of new technologies,
certain disc, digital connection and other compatibility and/or performance
issues are possible. This may, in rare cases, include disc freezing while
accessing certain disc features or functions, or certain parts of the disc
not playing back or operating as fully intended. ISome features subject to delayed
availability. While every effort has been made at the time of publication
to ensure the accuracy of the information provided herein, product
specifications, configurations, system/component/options availability are
all subject to change without notice.

About Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C.

Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is owned by Toshiba America,
Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high
technology products with subsidiaries worldwide. Toshiba is a pioneer in HD
DVD, DVD and DVD Recorder technology and a leading manufacturer of a full
line of home entertainment products, including flat panel TV, combination
products and portable devices. Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is
headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. For additional information, please
visit.

more fud by toshita and their duders...

[quaylie]

wow..just wow...do they really think consumers are that dumb?..

[CAB]

How much is the consumer gonna hate Toshiba when Uni-mount turn in the next few months? Let me count the ways. . .

[greekjgg]

OK, whats the deal here?

I posted an article from EngadgetHD that basically summarized this entire article on here about an hour ago. It got up to about 20 replies, then boom it disappears.

Now this article pops up and the author of it replied on my original thread?

Are we now trying to be the first to bring "breaking news"?

If my thread was deleted, I should at least been informed. That isn't good moderating IMHO.

[CptGreedle]

Its time the BDA responded in kind. Toshiba is clearly not in the market for the consumer at all, they obviously don't care that tis format war has greatly hurt HDM sales and it is their fault!

BDA, teach Toshiba a lesson!

[Terjyn]

It didn't get deleted. It got moved to Off Topic.

The same place it belongs, the same place that this post will end up as well.

[Xerious]

Originally Posted by greekjgg

OK, whats the deal here?

I posted an article from EngadgetHD that basically summarized this entire article on here about an hour ago. It got up to about 20 replies, then boom it disappears.

Now this article pops up and the author of it replied on my original thread?

Are we now trying to be the first to bring "breaking news"?

If my thread was deleted, I should at least been informed. That isn't good moderating IMHO.

you know what, i think i did reply to yours... i just saw this from the PR wire... don't knwo where your thread went...

[Blu As Hell]

Originally Posted by greekjgg

OK, whats the deal here?

I posted an article from EngadgetHD that basically summarized this entire article on here about an hour ago. It got up to about 20 replies, then boom it disappears.

Now this article pops up and the author of it replied on my original thread?

Are we now trying to be the first to bring "breaking news"?

If my thread was deleted, I should at least been informed. That isn't good moderating IMHO.

Your thread wasn't deleted. That thread and this one are about HD DVD and both will end up in the Off-Topic discussion.

[greekjgg]

Originally Posted by Terjyn

It didn't get deleted. It got moved to Off Topic.

The same place it belongs, the same place that this post will end up as well.

How is it off topic discussing the format war as endless other threads have?

[Terjyn]

Anything which is purely about HD-DVD is Off Topic.

It's a grey area when there is something about both, but if it's pure HD-DVD it's off topic, period.

[greekjgg]

Originally Posted by Terjyn

Anything which is purely about HD-DVD is Off Topic.

It's a grey area when there is something about both, but if it's pure HD-DVD it's off topic, period.

If that is the logic, then any discussions regarding Uni/Paramount should be off topic too since tecnically they are "pure" HD Dud, yet we have a million of those.

I just think that this is going a bit outside moderation abuse.

[Blu As Hell]

Originally Posted by greekjgg

If that is the logic, then any discussions regarding Uni/Paramount should be off topic too since tecnically they are "pure" HD Dud, yet we have a million of those.

I just think that this is going a bit outside moderation abuse.

No...the Paramount and Universal threads are about the possibilty of them switching to BLU-RAY and deserve to be in "General Discussion", which has rules posted outside of it that says "No HD DVD/HD VMD discussions". Now that's not to say that a HD DVD discussion hasn't slip past the Mods in there because it has, but when you post a discussion solely about HD DVD and they do catch it and move it to "Off-Topic" don't get offended that's really where it belongs.

[Esox50]

Poor Toshiba. Little bitty babies.

It's like they got caught with their pants down sucking their thumb right before CES, and now they're going to throw a temper tantrum.

This is ridiculous and anti-consumer. They're going to sell players to unsuspecting people, who will realize later they been duped and cannot play 75% of movies. I know, I know, it's up to the consumer to do research, but the fact remains that some people won't do that research and/or will still make a bad choice (or be mis-led by a sales person).

This is why Universal and Paramount need to make a move soon. OR retailers will be forced to make the choice for them. I posted a few weeks ago that if Toshiba kept on fighting, it would be time for retailers, content providers, and consumers to be absolutely merciless. We may be there soon...

[greekjgg]

Originally Posted by Blu As Hell

No...the Paramount and Universal threads are about the possibilty of them switching to BLU-RAY and deserve to be in "General Discussion", which has rules posted outside of it that says "No HD DVD/HD VMD discussions". Now that's not to say that a HD DVD discussion hasn't slip past the Mods in there because it has, but when you post a discussion solely about HD DVD and they do catch it and move it to "Off-Topic" don't get offended that's really where it belongs.

Well I'm discussing how this HD fire sale will impact the format war and blu ray!! That really seems like we are interpretting the rules to fit our own agenda. How long this fire sale runs will determine when/if/how Uni/Paramount stay HD exclusive. So, I understand what your saying and if that is the case, the very same can be applied to my thread. Being moved to "off topic" losses all potential impact for discussion. Everyone just trolls the "latest forum threads" on the home page.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Toshiba is dumping their players in a fire sale. We all saw this coming.

[meckel]

Originally Posted by Esox50

This is why Universal and Paramount need to make a move soon. OR retailers will be forced to make the choice for them. I posted a few weeks ago that if Toshiba kept on fighting, it would be time for retailers, content providers, and consumers to be absolutely merciless. We may be there soon...

Let just say retailer must be "thrilled" with the price moves. The margin is now all but gone on these models. It will take 5 A3 sale to make as much as on 1 BDPS300 or 50 A30s. No that is not a typo. If I was a store or department manager guess what I would have my staff sell to? If I was a Buyer for this catagory where should I lean in preferance?

Notice how they will be pushing thier player as a good upconverting DVD player as well. Wonder why that is?
Something as to give soon

[davidPS3]

The release does not suprise me one bit. They are in thier own world.

[Josh]

Use the search button.