HD-DVD Practically Being Given Away

[E-Dogg]

Originally Posted by Go Blu

exactly and cheap people who own cheap HDTV's will buy them all up.

There is nothing against people being frugal, I'm just saying that the targeted customer here will most likely own a VISZIO or similar unit that has either 720 or 1080i anyway so it's actually perfect for them.

Anyway you cut it though its additional life support for them. And I'm not liking it.

We need to pop that life preserver and let them drown in the Blu-sea.

I wonder what type of price drop we'll see on Sony products on Black Friday?

[Go Blu]

Originally Posted by E-Dogg

We need to pop that life preserver and let them drown in the Blu-sea.

I wonder what type of price drop we'll see on Sony products on Black Friday?

I'm wondering too BUT not looking forward to fight the crowd at 3am that day if there is a great deal on a BR player. I might have to though, depending on exactly how good the deal is.

[badboi]

I heard a rumor that Toshiba was planning on rolling out a new slogan to use during these latest give away sales. Something along the lines of "bringing an HD-DVD player to every trailer park across the nation."

[ikbradley]

The one thing that gets me. Will any 1st or 2nd tier manufacture ever join Toshiba now? Toshiba has hit the sweet spot of $199 and through subsidies. No profit to be seen. Even no-name brands like Venturer will not be able to obtain much of a profit margin. It's a really weird business model.

Even if Toshiba managed to bring the war to a draw, and both formats became the norm, to do so would require that HD-DVD adopters have only purchased Toshiba. What would the incentive be for a manufacture to license from HD-DVD except for a duel format player? If duel format became the standard, the number of blu-ray adopters would dominate, simply because of the PS3 factor, and the additional licensing fees to Sony would allow a very generous offer to the remaining exclusive studios.

I just don't get what Toshiba is doing? It looks like they are subsidizing without any clear long term forecast. There is no chance with manufactures releasing an HD-DVD player, as it is unprofitable = no licensing. HD-DVD exclusive studios are said to receive production subsidies and pay no licensing for the format = no licensing money. If Toshiba is not making money off the players... where the hell are they going to get the money... DVD? HD-DVD is undercutting their DVD royalties?

[stofferdk]

Originally Posted by ikbradley

The one thing that gets me. Will any 1st or 2nd tier manufacture ever join Toshiba now? Toshiba has hit the sweet spot of $199 and through subsidies. No profit to be seen. Even no-name brands like Venturer will not be able to obtain much of a profit margin. It's a really weird business model.

Even if Toshiba managed to bring the war to a draw, and both formats became the norm, to do so would require that HD-DVD adopters have only purchased Toshiba. What would the incentive be for a manufacture to license from HD-DVD except for a duel format player? If duel format became the standard, the number of blu-ray adopters would dominate, simply because of the PS3 factor, and the additional licensing fees to Sony would allow a very generous offer to the remaining exclusive studios.

I just don't get what Toshiba is doing? It looks like they are subsidizing without any clear long term forecast. There is no chance with manufactures releasing an HD-DVD player, as it is unprofitable = no licensing. HD-DVD exclusive studios are said to receive production subsidies and pay no licensing for the format = no licensing money. If Toshiba is not making money off the players... where the hell are they going to get the money... DVD? HD-DVD is undercutting their DVD royalties?

Toshiba makes alot of thins... but I am sure the top boss looks at red-underlined HD-DVD department on the overall report.

[fishdad]

One year ago I bought a 57" 1080p TV and was hoping the war would be ending soon so I can jump in the HD world. I lean toward BD since the very beginning because I believe it's a better technology. But I am still waiting and waiting. (Curse HD-DUD for prolonging this war )

Why? Unlike many of you who are zealous supporters of BD, I am a guy from real world. Some of you may say I am too frugal for this, but reality is that most people is more sensitive about price than quality. 1080p is better than 1080i, so is True-HD. But how many people can tell the difference between them? Especially when they see the less than $200 price tag and the $400+ one? Yes, BD is leading in sales for many reasons (PS3 being the major one). However it is still a niche market thus a 2:1 ratio means very little. The winner can only be declared after regular Joes are into this market. And I am afraid that HD-DUD might have better chance with their cheaper price. (Assuming BDA keeps being arrogantly stupid)

I already spent thousands on TV, receiver, speakers to be ready for HD, but not willing to invest one penny into a possibly losing technology. Believe me, once a winner is declared, everyone will switch, they just cannot afford losing their market. But now, HD-DUD simply fights harder and harder.

[Go Blu]

Welcome!
and all very good points.

Cheap players should not be underestimated.
I'm sure the BDA is well aware of the implications.

As some have said before this war is Blu-ray's to loose.

SO I'm looking froward to see what their next move will be.
Remember the BOGO deal that was quietly slipped in week of TF.
and we all know the results of that.

[thrlride]

Originally Posted by Go Blu

Welcome!
and all very good points.

Cheap players should not be underestimated.
I'm sure the BDA is well aware of the implications.

As some have said before this war is Blu-ray's to loose.

SO I'm looking froward to see what their next move will be.
Remember the BOGO deal that was quietly slipped in week of TF.
and we all know the results of that.

Hopefully BD doesn't run any cheap player promotions like this otherwise it will be perceived as desperate to the HD-DVD crowd.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by fishdad

One year ago I bought a 57" 1080p TV and was hoping the war would be ending soon so I can jump in the HD world. I lean toward BD since the very beginning because I believe it's a better technology. But I am still waiting and waiting. (Curse HD-DUD for prolonging this war )

Why? Unlike many of you who are zealous supporters of BD, I am a guy from real world. Some of you may say I am too frugal for this, but reality is that most people is more sensitive about price than quality. 1080p is better than 1080i, so is True-HD. But how many people can tell the difference between them? Especially when they see the less than $200 price tag and the $400+ one? Yes, BD is leading in sales for many reasons (PS3 being the major one). However it is still a niche market thus a 2:1 ratio means very little. The winner can only be declared after regular Joes are into this market. And I am afraid that HD-DUD might have better chance with their cheaper price. (Assuming BDA keeps being arrogantly stupid)


I already spent thousands on TV, receiver, speakers to be ready for HD, but not willing to invest one penny into a possibly losing technology. Believe me, once a winner is declared, everyone will switch, they just cannot afford losing their market. But now, HD-DUD simply fights harder and harder.

Blu-Ray zealot supporters...?

please and Assuming BDA keeps being arrogantly stupid..

arrogantly stupid...?



so its NOT ABOUT the Consumer the best FORMAT FOR THE FUTURE its about selling "well its just as good for "right now" and its good at a rock bottom price" THE 1080i player has always been HD DVD strong point but look at their price of 1080p players its in the same price as the Blu-Ray Counterpart. the 1080p player say's "TRUE HD" WHY DOES THE 1080i player not have that same sticker..?
Toshiba has been selling to the lowest common market to make sure DVD does not get replaced. Blu-Ray is all about replaceing DVD..why Because HD is the future not SD DVD.

DVD is made for SDTV. Blu-Ray is made FOR HDTV we are moveing toward the HDTV CENTRIC dynamic why continue to stall DVD's replacement ..unless you do not care because DVD is "just as good" upconverted that is HD DVD's message is UPCONVERTED DVD is just as good as HD
and that is the 1080i mind set there is no need for 1080p because 1080I is "JUST AS GOOD"

let me ask you what makes HD DVD the replacement for DVD...?
that's the point its not a replacement dynamic its just a stop gap technology.

Blu-Ray on the other handis meant to replace DVD at a later time...look at the markets both formats are in HD DVD aside from movies in not in any other markets except for DATA back up. which by the way for the price Blu-ray IS STILL CHEAPER FOR BLANK MEDIA FOR THE CONSUMER.

Still lets look at yet more markets Blu-Ray is in that HD DVD is not..HD DVD is a Movie format but does not have a HD DVD camcorder with no mention of a HD DVD camcorder in the future even talked about let alone mentioned in any press release from the HD DVD camp. Blu-Ray already has such a Blu-Ray camcorder.

now lets go even one step more HD DVD is not even in SOFTWARE OUTSIDE OF MOVIES .Blu-ray is already in SOFTWARE not just in PLAYSTATION 3 BUT IN PC also. and i am refering to SOFTWARE LIKE Data Base programs put on Blu-Ray and sold to the consumer like so many software programs for CD and DVD is already being done.

now out of Blu-Ray or HD DVD WHICH FORMAT IS IN THE MOST MARKETS

Blu-Ray is a replacement format for the future
HD DVD is a stop gap format for digital downloads

its not about setting the price so low the CE companies cannot make any $ off of your format. its about makeing sure your format is not just a ONE trick pony.

[Teramere]

Originally Posted by stofferdk

Toshiba makes alot of thins... but I am sure the top boss looks at red-underlined HD-DVD department on the overall report.

Ok.. they're giving em away... How does this impact the number of 'units' shipped? The HD-dvd camp is continously complaining that Blu-ray 'padds' its stat with bundled BDs. How is this different? Is it any different, and most importantly, does it make any difference?

[Hussla]

Originally Posted by badboi

I heard a rumor that Toshiba was planning on rolling out a new slogan to use during these latest give away sales. Something along the lines of "bringing an HD-DVD player to every trailer park across the nation."

People think that THD is really an acroynm for Total Hi-Def.

It's really :

Trailerpark Hi-Def

HD-DVD, the format of choice for pornographers.

[SS316SRV]

Originally Posted by Hussla

People think that THD is really an acroynm for Total Hi-Def.

It's really :

Trailerpark Hi-Def

HD-DVD, the format of choice for pornographers.

THD is also Total Harmonic Distortion.

[sphdle1]

Originally Posted by SS316SRV

THD is also Total Harmonic Distortion.

It is also the sound made when the bottom finally falls out from underneath them

[radagast]

Originally Posted by badboi

I heard a rumor that Toshiba was planning on rolling out a new slogan to use during these latest give away sales. Something along the lines of "bringing an HD-DVD player to every trailer park across the nation."

Comparing hd-dud lovers to trailer park folks is an insult to trailer park folks.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by E-Dogg

We need to pop that life preserver and let them drown in the Blu-sea.

I wonder what type of price drop we'll see on Sony products on Black Friday?

what needs to be done is the MOVIE disc prices to remain at $16.00 for Blu-Ray movies they do that and no amount of HD DVD player give aways will matter which ever side drops their disc prices first will have a clear advantage. and right now Blu-Ray is the front runner to lower prices of the disc's first before
HD DVD does..

[sphdle1]

Anyone hearing any leaks or rumors on Blu-ray players near $200 for this holiday season?

If Sony/BDA could somehow subsidise this, or somehow make it happen, this would be the end of the war. Even if they took a loss for a short period of time this holiday season, HD DVD becoming obsolete, they would not have to practically give them away for long. And this loss would be penuts compared to what they'd gain in winning the war, and then only completing with regular DVD.

At the very least, the worst thing the BDA/Sony could do is 'nothing', not compete, and have HD DVD make gains. This would cause Warner, Universal, Paramount, etc. to look at things much differently than if Blu stayed ahead & made some gains which could end the war more quickly.

I sure hope they have something up their sleeves that we don't know yet, that's coming very soon, as there's basically only 2 months left.