HD-DVD IS really desperate - Page 3 - Blu-ray Forum

Slapper · 11-01-2007, 01:22 PM

I think some of us here are forgetting about the software altogether and have narrowed their field of vision to the player prices so much that they fail to see the bigger picture. Without big-name titles on the shelves, even if Toshiba manages to double it's install base by the end of the year, what movies are these newbie HD-DVD folks going to be able to purchase? Transformers, Bourne 3, Shrek 3, Potter, Ocean's. Those are the big titles for the 4th quarter for HD-DVD and will probably make around 30-50% of ALL their software sales for the quarter.

Blu-ray has Spider-Man 3, Fantastic Four 2, Pirates 3, Ratatouille, Simpsons, Superbad, Harry Potter, Ocean's, Die Hard 4, Rush Hour 3. These are just the day-and-dates that I feel will move big numbers. We also have a very strong back catalog of new releases like Close Encounters, Die Hard 1-3, ID4, Cars, and more.

A cheapo $98 player could help Blu-ray (yes, I'm stretching a little bit, but stay with me for a minute). These people will get this HD-DVD player home, along with a big-name title like Transformers and they will be "WOW"d. The next time they're out they might say, "hey, I'm going to pick up another hi-def movie." They go to the shelves, thinking "maybe I'll get Spider-Man 3, Pirates 3, or Simpsons" only to find that they are NOT available on HD-DVD. $98 was such a huge savings on the HD-DVD player, spending $300-400 on a Blu-ray player, after they've had a taste of hi-def, will be worth it for many of these folks so that they can enjoy ALL the movies that they like in hi-def.

That $98 player opened up these people to the world of hi-def and it may help to expand HDM as a whole, not just HD-DVD.

thrlride · 11-01-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slapper

I think some of us here are forgetting about the software altogether and have narrowed their field of vision to the player prices so much that they fail to see the bigger picture. Without big-name titles on the shelves, even if Toshiba manages to double it's install base by the end of the year, what movies are these newbie HD-DVD folks going to be able to purchase? Transformers, Bourne 3, Shrek 3, Potter, Ocean's. Those are the big titles for the 4th quarter for HD-DVD and will probably make around 30-50% of ALL their software sales for the quarter.

Blu-ray has Spider-Man 3, Fantastic Four 2, Pirates 3, Ratatouille, Simpsons, Superbad, Harry Potter, Ocean's, Die Hard 4, Rush Hour 3. These are just the day-and-dates that I feel will move big numbers. We also have a very strong back catalog of new releases like Close Encounters, Die Hard 1-3, ID4, Cars, and more.

A cheapo $98 player could help Blu-ray (yes, I'm stretching a little bit, but stay with me for a minute). These people will get this HD-DVD player home, along with a big-name title like Transformers and they will be "WOW"d. The next time they're out they might say, "hey, I'm going to pick up another hi-def movie." They go to the shelves, thinking "maybe I'll get Spider-Man 3, Pirates 3, or Simpsons" only to find that they are NOT available on HD-DVD. $98 was such a huge savings on the HD-DVD player, spending $300-400 on a Blu-ray player, after they've had a taste of hi-def, will be worth it for many of these folks so that they can enjoy ALL the movies that they like in hi-def.

That $98 player opened up these people to the world of hi-def and it may help to expand HDM as a whole, not just HD-DVD.

I could see this happening.

Cream · 11-01-2007, 01:32 PM

It's a format war. Did you think they'd just lay down and die? Last week everyone was happy over 51:49 and BOGOF deals weren't they? Toshiba hits back this week the BDA will hit back again next. It's the way it is.

thrlride · 11-01-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cream

It's a format war. Did you think they'd just lay down and die? Last week everyone was happy over 51:49 and BOGOF deals weren't they? Toshiba hits back this week the BDA will hit back again next. It's the way it is.

And the consumer wins with cheaper prices.

Blu-Light · 11-01-2007, 01:36 PM

Toshiba is DUMPING THESE. They are in dire straights now with these things and have to get rid of them ASAP. Sales and Marketing 101. Sell product at a drastically reduced price to try to recoup some of your expenses.

joeorc · 11-01-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blu-Light

Toshiba is DUMPING THESE. They are in dire straights now with these things and have to get rid of them ASAP. Sales and Marketing 101. Sell product at a drastically reduced price to try to recoup some of your expenses.

yea since right now these things will cost less than the HD DVD add on for the xbox360...

yakman · 11-01-2007, 02:56 PM

With how many dud rumors are coming too fruition lately let's pray these aren't the 2 million cheap Chinese DUD players WM was reportedly looking for last spring for the 07 holidays.

Can anyone confirmed that the only difference between the A2 and A3 is cosmetic except the A3 audio output is stripped down even more(meaning even cheaper to make)?

radagast · 11-01-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathexist

http://holiday.ri-walmart.com/?section=secret

There's the older HD-A2 player on there for $98.87...Granted, I guess they're trying to just get rid of older stock...but still, that's gonna get a lot of people INTO the format war, regardless of the format.

I admit, I looked at that price and went "boy, it would be nice to see those movies I've been waiting for on blu from Universal" course...that was a pretty quick thought and it's completely out of my mind now. I'm stickin' to blu...no question.

$98.87 is about $2000 too high for me to spend on dud.

glenn22 · 11-01-2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrlride

Where did this figure come from?

I would like to know also. Dobyblue, you have been quite active on these forums, but you can't post a statement like that and not back it up with something. Everyone is going to assume you pulled that number out of your ass.

radagast · 11-01-2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slapper

A cheapo $98 player could help Blu-ray (yes, I'm stretching a little bit, but stay with me for a minute). These people will get this HD-DVD player home, along with a big-name title like Transformers and they will be "WOW"d. The next time they're out they might say, "hey, I'm going to pick up another hi-def movie." They go to the shelves, thinking "maybe I'll get Spider-Man 3, Pirates 3, or Simpsons" only to find that they are NOT available on HD-DVD. $98 was such a huge savings on the HD-DVD player, spending $300-400 on a Blu-ray player, after they've had a taste of hi-def, will be worth it for many of these folks so that they can enjoy ALL the movies that they like in hi-def.

That $98 player opened up these people to the world of hi-def and it may help to expand HDM as a whole, not just HD-DVD.

So you see Toshiba as providing "HDM lite" to provide people a taste or hint of what REAL HDM would be like? Sorta like someone getting a tricycle until they're ready to buy a Harley?

Slapper · 11-01-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radagast

So you see Toshiba as providing "HDM lite" to provide people a taste or hint of what REAL HDM would be like? Sorta like someone getting a tricycle until they're ready to buy a Harley?

Toshiba has priced the players so low now that I see HD-DVD as the "gateway drug" for hi-def. It's good, but there's a much better "fix" out there and it's called Blu-ray.

Sorry if I'm not being politically correct. I call it like I see it.

GoldenRedux · 11-01-2007, 08:04 PM

CED

JTK · 11-01-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

CED

http://www.cedmagic.com/selectavision.html

Longshot · 11-01-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobyblue

This will not get a lot of people into the format war because there are only 50,000 A2 players left.

How much do you wanna bet that at least 1/3 of those are bought by the zealots as a second or third player?

GoldenRedux · 11-01-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTK

http://www.cedmagic.com/selectavision.html

sj001 · 11-01-2007, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRedux

CED

Interesting... funny too, HD-DVD = same thing.

JTK · 11-01-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longshot

How much do you wanna bet that at least 1/3 of those are bought by the zealots as a second or third player?

You can count on it.

It's a nice short term burst thing for them again, but I just don't see it making that much impact in the end.

It still comes down to what movies you can watch at the end of the day.

Deciazulado · 11-01-2007, 09:56 PM

Well iff they're doing that, that's fine, less money in the pocket, less money to buy hd dvds, negative effect

secret weapon!

monkyman · 11-01-2007, 10:29 PM

Of course HD dvd'ers are buying them....as back up. What else will they watch their movies on when HD DVD fails and their machines break.

Esox50 · 11-01-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn22

I would like to know also. Dobyblue, you have been quite active on these forums, but you can't post a statement like that and not back it up with something. Everyone is going to assume you pulled that number out of your ass.

Doby is reliable, and has been in the past. I think he's posted that he is NOT an insider, but if you look back to some of his posts here or on another forum, you can find out where he works. I'm pretty sure he's mentioned it publicly, but if he has not it's not up to me post it.

In addition, one of the insiders here also posted the number of players available as part of this clearance, oops, promotion.

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11-01-2007, 01:22 PM	#41
Slapper Special Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:I live in a pineapple under the sea... Blu-ray collection:277	I think some of us here are forgetting about the software altogether and have narrowed their field of vision to the player prices so much that they fail to see the bigger picture. Without big-name titles on the shelves, even if Toshiba manages to double it's install base by the end of the year, what movies are these newbie HD-DVD folks going to be able to purchase? Transformers, Bourne 3, Shrek 3, Potter, Ocean's. Those are the big titles for the 4th quarter for HD-DVD and will probably make around 30-50% of ALL their software sales for the quarter. Blu-ray has Spider-Man 3, Fantastic Four 2, Pirates 3, Ratatouille, Simpsons, Superbad, Harry Potter, Ocean's, Die Hard 4, Rush Hour 3. These are just the day-and-dates that I feel will move big numbers. We also have a very strong back catalog of new releases like Close Encounters, Die Hard 1-3, ID4, Cars, and more. A cheapo $98 player could help Blu-ray (yes, I'm stretching a little bit, but stay with me for a minute). These people will get this HD-DVD player home, along with a big-name title like Transformers and they will be "WOW"d. The next time they're out they might say, "hey, I'm going to pick up another hi-def movie." They go to the shelves, thinking "maybe I'll get Spider-Man 3, Pirates 3, or Simpsons" only to find that they are NOT available on HD-DVD. $98 was such a huge savings on the HD-DVD player, spending $300-400 on a Blu-ray player, after they've had a taste of hi-def, will be worth it for many of these folks so that they can enjoy ALL the movies that they like in hi-def. That $98 player opened up these people to the world of hi-def and it may help to expand HDM as a whole, not just HD-DVD.

11-01-2007, 01:32 PM	#43
Cream Banned Member since:Oct 2007	It's a format war. Did you think they'd just lay down and die? Last week everyone was happy over 51:49 and BOGOF deals weren't they? Toshiba hits back this week the BDA will hit back again next. It's the way it is.

11-01-2007, 01:36 PM	#45
Blu-Light Expert Member Member since:Oct 2006	Toshiba is DUMPING THESE. They are in dire straights now with these things and have to get rid of them ASAP. Sales and Marketing 101. Sell product at a drastically reduced price to try to recoup some of your expenses.

11-01-2007, 02:56 PM	#47
yakman Member Member since:Aug 2007	With how many dud rumors are coming too fruition lately let's pray these aren't the 2 million cheap Chinese DUD players WM was reportedly looking for last spring for the 07 holidays. Can anyone confirmed that the only difference between the A2 and A3 is cosmetic except the A3 audio output is stripped down even more(meaning even cheaper to make)?

11-01-2007, 08:04 PM	#52
GoldenRedux Power Member Member since:Sep 2006 Blu-ray reviews:1	CED

11-01-2007, 09:56 PM	#58
Deciazulado Site Manager Top contributor Member since:Aug 2006 Location:USiberia Home Theater Gallery:6 4K collection:1162 Blu-ray collection:7058 DVD collection:4065	Well iff they're doing that, that's fine, less money in the pocket, less money to buy hd dvds, negative effect secret weapon!

11-01-2007, 10:29 PM	#59
monkyman Special Member Member since:Jun 2007	Of course HD dvd'ers are buying them....as back up. What else will they watch their movies on when HD DVD fails and their machines break.

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