Oh noes teh sky is falling!

[Farscape1]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

I'm not saying a 100% increase in sales of media, I'm saying 100% this will raise there media sales as in without question this is going to do them more good then bad for them! Really if you take away ps3 sales, the sales of stand alone blu-players is weak at best and the reason is they cost way to much period! Sure someone who makes six figures is not going to mind picking one up just to say they have it but in the real world were not everyone has over paying desk jobs, the common person is not going to throw out that kind of money for something not a whole hell of alot better then the cheaper priced hd unit selling for under the cost of regular dvd players.

Well in a desperate move it sure does look like BR players are more expensive. This isn't just a Sony issue, the reason there is such a gap right now is of the fire sale. If you currently compare Toshibas A35 player that gap isn't that big at all, plus software sales on the Blu-Ray are cheaper. The only reason we are seeing these prices dropping is because of fierce competition to survive! I however agree, a more aggressive approach is needed, when it comes to there hardware...

[Anthony P]

I know that dude, but wouldn't studios look at any sudden spike in HDDVD sales going forward (after over 100,000 units sold in 2-3 days). They are not gonna punish HDDVD's year to date crappy sales, they are gonna look at how well they will do going forward and up to 6-8 months from now when these new standalone HDDVD player sales translate into higher HDDVD movie sales.

I do hope more than 50% of those players are for existing HDDVD owners, but again the $199 price tag ain't going anywhere, it will stay here forever, all stores are selling the A3 model now for $199, with probably a couple days in November and December where they will have the A3 and remaining A2's for $99 again...I dont have a doubt that Toshiba will push close to a half a million units by year end.

I just hope the BDA is VERY MUCH aware of that possibility and try to do something to counteract....better lose some of your money now that all of your 3 years of investments....

what you are missing is that there won't be a big spike. 90k is not all that much and not anywhere near enough for HD DVD. Think about it. HD DVD is (and has) been losing 2:1. That means that (to put it simply) they need to more then double the number of players. and there were not only 100k players. Take it this way. Transformers sold 115k copies, maybe an other 25k HD DVDs sold that week. if we go with 51/41 and add an other 20k (1/5 is very generous) it now becomes a 52% HD DVD advantage. On the other hand some of those players went to BD owners (so most likely won't buy many HD DVDs), others to people that already have a player (so won't help movie sales) and lastly any new owner is someone that waited for the <100$ player, chances are he neither cares as much or willing to spend as much as the person that paid 500$

[unreal1080p]

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/11/07...eta-cracks-bd/

I know many wont be happy about this but I think this is a great thing as many want to use hard drive based media center devices like Kalaidescape to watch movies without having to get up, find the disc, insert the disc etc... plus it's easy to distribute the movie to the whole house this way... not to mention safeguarding the original discs from scratches and the "kids" factor.

The old school jukebox 1000 disc changers are destined to disapear as they are bulky and not pratical. This is just the natural evolution of the old jukebox concept. The manufacturers and studios should accept this, embrace it and market this in the form of new products for the not so technologicaly inclined customers that may want this functionality, can affort it, but are not computer saavy (there is a boat load of money to be made in this area).

This is a fact of life for DVD and now for HDM. The studios are going to have to live with it. What other choices do they have? The good thing is that most folks interested in buying cheap knock offs at the flea market will be buying SD DVD's. The cost of HDM blank media + hardware and expertise necessary + limited clientele will surely discourage pirates from bothering.

[Zazou]

In Slysoft's release notes:

Note to Twentieth Century Fox: As you can see, BD+ didn't offer you any advanced security, it just annoyed some of your customers with older players. So could you please cut this crap and start publishing your titles on HD DVD? There are thousands of people willing to give you money.[*]Note to people considering to invest in HD media: Please buy HD DVD instead of Blu-ray. HD DVD is much more consumer friendly (e.g., no region coding, AACS not mandatory). Don't give your money to people, who throw your fair-use rights out of the window.

[Maxell]

So to really make use of this I'd need a blu-ray rom (at least) and over 1TB of storage to holde 25 movies (more or less)? I'll stick to buying and supporting Blu-ray sales.

[SingingTheBlues]

Wow, it looks like someone is getting upset that thier beloved AV_ site is down, and not allowing them their daily dose of HD-DUD fanboyism.

[Zyclone]

i thought HD DVD's idea consumer friendly meant , discs may not function , players might not function sales numbers may be made up on the spot.

[SingingTheBlues]

It's official... HD-DUD zealots can't spell OFFICIAL!

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by SingingTheBlues

It's official... HD-DUD zealots can't spell OFFICIAL!

Happy now? Before you call people names, perhaps you should bother reading their post history... I could'nt be more against HD-DUD if I tried and i've always had that position since before either format was launched.

Dont judge me because i'm anti DRM and pro free use. It's not my fault my post got moved to the "oh no the sky is falling" thread --> I simply wanted to start a thread to discuss using the additional capabilities of Blu-Ray movies (now that they can be ripped) in legitimate home media server devices such as Kaleidascape.

P.S. Since you got in an undeserved low blow (two actually), let me reply in kind: What's with the bleached teeth and the mail order bride? Let that be a lesson to you that tru Blu really don't like to be called Red supporters.

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by Maxell

So to really make use of this I'd need a blu-ray rom (at least) and over 1TB of storage to holde 25 movies (more or less)? I'll stick to buying and supporting Blu-ray sales.

This as nothing to do with choosing between buying Blu-Ray movies vs. storing them on a hard drive. It's not one or the other but it's one AND the other (for honest folks) and will always represent an additional expense.

Of course, this is not for everyone and can be VERY expensive (a typicall Kaleidascape setup goes for about 20K). The thing is, high end movie enthousiasts that have experienced Kaleidascape (or something similar) will NOT go back to individual discs because of the sheer convenience and improved overall experience. Of course, individual discs are always needed prior to being "ripped" on the device therefore not affecting in the least Blu-Ray movie sales (in the contrary).

Now that it seems it will be possible to do the same with Blu-Ray as regular DVD's, hopefully companies like Kaleidascape will start selling Blu-Ray burner add ons to their systems so those high end fat cats get on board (those guys buy EVERYTHING !!! and I do mean EVERYTHING).

Check it out --> http://www.kaleidascape.com/

http://www.kaleidascape.com/files/me...ce-640x360.mov
http://www.kaleidascape.com/files/me...ls-640x360.mov
http://www.kaleidascape.com/files/da...e-Brochure.pdf

I don't own one myself (I wish) but have had the opportunity to use such as system on several occasions (in 75K+ home theater system setups) and I can tell you the users of these will not go backwards. It's like going back to VHS from your PVR... you just don't do it.

If Kaleidascape releases such an add on, I can tell you that high end home theater installers will be specking this standard on 75K + home theaters (plus going back to existing users to upgrade their systems). Every one of these users counts like 10 "regular" users as far as how many Blu-Ray movies they will purchase. This could be a great thing for Blu-Ray.

[J_UNTITLED]

According to here, it is...


From IMDb.com

"A weekend campaign to expand the base of HD DVD users apparently was successful in spades, according to Video Business magazine. The publication said on its website Tuesday that $99 sales of Toshiba's high-definition DVD player resulted in 90,000 players going out retailers' doors. The players usually sell for about $199.99, discounted from Sony's MSRP of $299.00."

[Ispoke]

A weekend campaign to expand the base of HD DVD users apparently was successful in spades, according to Video Business magazine. The publication said on its website Tuesday that $99 sales of Toshiba's high-definition DVD player resulted in 90,000 players going out retailers' doors. The players usually sell for about $199.99, discounted from Sony's MSRP of $299.00.

Wow, so Sony trade also as Toshiba No wonder they want the war to continue Can't even get the damm facts right.

[Zyclone]

now now kids if you can't play nice its off to AVS with the both of you

[Iron Man]

Not to be rude

But this story has been discussed before

[jayd]

I have been thinking today, with the fire sale last week, and now a below $200 price for HD-DVD, do the BDA need to act, and cut standalone prices to a level where they can compete with the other side. Now I do understand that the A2 is only a 1080i player, inferior model, but it is still a HD-DVD player, and now I believe the A3, which I think is a 1080p player, is below $200, possibly a $149 price tag coming towards xmas. This could be an act of desperation by Toshiba, but it could well, pay off for them. Blu-ray itself was on a real roll earlier this year, and now the momentum has slowed down, and it seems that they are letting HD-DVD catch up. I do know of all the titles coming to Blu this Xmas season, and in the new year, and it's a strong line up, but what use is the strong line up, if people are not buying players, to play these discs on. Is there just going to be a sucker punch blow from the BDA to HD-DVD, to give us some real good news, and show the consumer, how Blu-ray is the way to go, and not some inferior format. As much as I liked the BOGOF offer, and would like to see more, I would just like to hear something from the BDA, to show they are aware of the situation, and that they have something up thier sleeve to counter act.

[docjan_uk]

They'll no doubt cut prices to within competitive ranges very soon. They've got a buffer in the increased PS3 sales... people buying BD players in general as the HD market expands not to mention lots of good/high selling titles coming out in the Xmas season.
So yeah, so long as prices come down in the next few weeks it's all good.

[tiger roach]

I don't think they need to start giving away players, if that's what you mean. There are some very strong blu titles out right now with more on the way during the remainder of the holiday shopping season.

[akristler]

Seriously, I am getting tired of seeing these threads!! Blu-Ray is going to win - Period enough whining and complaining!! HD-DUD is not going to making inroads, of all the people I spoke with at Wally World who bought the stupid HD player most were just using it as a upconversion player period. We Sold ZERO!!! ZERO!! HD Movies!!! But sold "4" 40GB PS3 the same night and sold 8 Blu-Ray movies!! and several games.. SO DROP IT!!

[CptGreedle]

I am sure they will drop a bomb for black friday, or soon after.
Ignore the scare tactics and desperate maneuvers of a dying format.
The people who bought one of those players will not miss it, it was cheap and (as the CEO of Paramount said) still up-converts their DVDs.

[Blu Titan]

Name me one industry where only one manufacturer, and thecompany sells their product at a loss? There is no incentive for CE companies to develop or manufacture HD DVD players. There is no future of HD DVD. If anybody thinks that Toshiba's strategy is effective, they are really missing the point. Toshiba will not use their current strategy, it if had any viable alternatives. However, it does not.