Could HD-DVD SuperBowl Ad help Blu-Ray?

[saxwork]

Could the Toshiba HD-DVD ad during the Super Bowl actually end up helping to boost Blu-Ray dominance?

Now think about this for a moment. Think about the millions of Joe Blow’s out there watching their brand new HDTV’s with their families during the Super Bowl. This Toshiba advertisement may actually be the first time some people hear about High Definition Media.

Follow me here… All these new HDTV’s are getting powered up and everyone is giddy with their new purchase. Many folks are gazing at the Super Bowl in all its HD glory for the very first time. Then, BOOM! The Toshiba ad airs. Many people will think, “WOW! I can now buy all my favorite movies in HD!” A week or two later, maybe even a month from now they will wander into a Best Buy or Circuit City and think, “Hey, let’s look into those High Definition movie things we heard about.”

Stay with me here… They will not remember the name “HD-DVD” or “Toshiba”; these are just average folks, and all they will remember is High Definition Movies for their new HDTV. Believe me, only us geeks, us early adopters follow brand names like Sony, Panasonic… which studio is which…. and so forth. But Mr. and Mrs. Average American will walk into a Best Buy and see Blu-Ray displays, rows and rows of Blu-Ray movies. Moms will see all those Blu Disney cases and Dads will see all those Blu action movie cases….

Am I making sense? All these new people are not going to remember “Toshiba” or “HD-DVD”… only that their favorite movies are now available in High Def and what do you think they are going to encounter when they go into these major retailers? A tidal wave of Blu. What choice do you think these people will make? Sure, there will be some collateral damage. There will be some fools. But many people will just associate the Super Bowl ad with Blu-Ray by the time they make it into the stores. This could be the starting point of mass adoption. This Toshiba ad could end up selling a bunch of Blu.

Thoughts?

[kpkelley]

Don't hold it in so long next time before you pass the pipe along. That stuff can do serious damage.

[Go Blu]

Actually it could help BR.

Cuz it will make HD a topic of conversation in which BR's dominace will come up.

[cartman781]

I don't think they will forget the name; it is too simple. I think the sales people will steer them to Blu

[dea136]

it can't help

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by Go Blu

Actually it could help BR.

Cuz it will make HD a topic of conversation in which BR's dominace will come up.

Once they arrive at the store employees will have to tell them that actually Blu-Ray won the war. So yes it might help. If by any chance we see more than a 10% bump we can be certain the BDA will respond with they're own commercials. They certainly can buy a lot more than 1 since it wouldn't have cost them 2.7 million for 30 seconds

[Whytewash]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Don't hold it in so long next time before you pass the pipe along. That stuff can do serious damage.

-1!!!

hold it in as long as possible! Dont be givin bad advice and such! haha


but back on topic, I think that it could help Blu when they go into a B&M store and the sales associate turns them away and talks about Blu... I could see it happening.

What I can also see happening is that they will get on Amazon or something, HD discs and players will skyrocket in sales... The DUDs will win a week on amazon and they will say, "look! the superbowl ad is going to help us win the format war!!!!" I've heard all the excuses now

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by Whytewash

-1!!!

hold it in as long as possible! Dont be givin bad advice and such! haha

I did not inhale - Bill C.

[NexusFX]

Actually that does make sense, with what's been going on in retail lately, the instance someone was interested in the "HD" movies, a person at the store would educate them "Somewhat", at least to the point they know HD-DVD is on the way out so they could get a Blu-ray Player.

Thanks Toshiba

[unreal1080p]

The BEST would be if late this Friday afternoon Paramount, Dreamworks & Universal go Blu-Ray exclusive
The commercial could be substituted with a blank white screen with the sound of crickets chirping for 30 seconds

That would help Blu-Ray

P.S. If the above scenario happens, Warner Brothers will be able to release their new book entitled:
"How to Kill a format in 30 days or less"

[saxwork]

Originally Posted by unreal1080p

The commercial could be substituted with a blank white screen with the sound of crickets chirping for 30 seconds

HAHAHA! That would be hilarious!

[tommyboy81]

If it's anything like there other commercial. Then no.

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

If it's anything like there other commercial. Then no.

You mean the gay gingi commercial? Ya... I'm sure THAT will appeal to Football fanatics NOT!

[Deacon220]

At this point Toshiba and the HD-DUD Group are just throwing good money after bad. Still trying to sell yesterdays technology with a couple shinny buttons and a whistle in todays market. Blu-Ray is the next generation and it's already here. No matter how much lipstick, blush and o'de Toliet they use it's still a pig.

[jopemoro]

Originally Posted by saxwork

Could the Toshiba HD-DVD ad during the Super Bowl actually end up helping to boost Blu-Ray dominance?

My opinion is that this is a pure contractual obligation on the part of Toshiba, who need to do this or see the remaining red studios go.

It will be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, and forgotten altogether by spring.

It will, however, give some renewed energies to 'red' diehards, so be prepared...

[ottscay]

One way it will help; it's another $2.3 million that Toshiba is pissing down a black hole days before they have to release their quarterly earnings. Since it sure isn't going to spike HD DVD sales, spending money so frivilously for little or no benefit only hastens the day when Toshiba has to call it quits.

Otoh, I recall several reports that Toshiba was "reaching out to retailers" to make sure that everyone didn't just dump their players. I wonder if the promise of a Superbowl ad to help move the clearance players was the only way to prevent CC and BB and Walmart from sending their players back asap.

As mild support, notice that many (if not all) of the major retailers will have their HD DVD players on clearance the week of the Superbowl, and there are annecdotal reports that no more are being offered.

Hmmm....

[lildawgryan]

By just reading your question without reading everything else you mentioned I would be quick to say yes. I however disagree with some of your points you made. Just because someone is not a "geek" or "early adopter" does not mean they do not have a preference in brand names. This goes for everything, not just electronics. Then you make a point to say these people will go to the store in about three weeks and not remember the name HD-DVD, they will just remember high definition movies. Now yes, some people will be in this catagory but I dont think the majority will. Now I may be wrong as well but my point is you go on too much about guessing what all these people are thinking and will and will not do, when in reality YOU and ME have no idea what millions of people will interperate the HD-DVD ads during the superbowl and how it will affect their purchase down the road.

[rondanto]

My Thought Is Why Didn't Sony Get An Ad In For The Game?

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by ottscay

One way it will help; it's another $2.3 million that Toshiba is pissing down a black hole days before they have to release their quarterly earnings.

[181]

Maybe they will sell their spot to Blu-ray.