Micro$oft desperation? Price cut on 360 add-on...

[Jack Torrance]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158163


360 HD-DVD Add-On Prices Appear to be Dropping
Has HD-DVD already run out of steam?
By Philip Kollar, 03/21/2007

It seems like just last year Sony was hyping the new Blu-Ray disc format in PlayStation 3 while Microsoft announced their allegiance with the opposing HD-DVD format (resulting in optional drive for Xbox 360). Actually, what do you know? That was just last year. Nevertheless, we're already receiving the first signs of the finish line in this race.
Kotaku reports a rumor popping up around the net that prices for the 360 HD-DVD add-on are beginning to fall rather sharply. How much? Reports are saying that Wal-Mart is ignoring the regular retail price of $199.99 to sell the drive for a very cheap $130. This is after reports that Blu-ray movie sales are now surpassing HD-DVD, likely due to the PlayStation 3's release.

It's still far too early to announce Blu-ray as the winner and HD-DVD as dead and gone (though various analysts and studio heads have tried to do just that), but without some momentum in the opposite direction, Sony's choice may end up rolling over Microsoft's. Is the price drop part of a Microsoft effort to gain some momentum? Unlikely. These unconfirmed reports of lower prices are likely regional specials -- Wal-Mart currently lists the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player for $199.82.

Been able to snag an Xbox 360 HD-DVD player at Wal-Mart on the cheap? Send News Editor Luke Smith a scan of your receipt.

[oneaaron]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158163


360 HD-DVD Add-On Prices Appear to be Dropping
Has HD-DVD already run out of steam?
By Philip Kollar, 03/21/2007

It seems like just last year Sony was hyping the new Blu-Ray disc format in PlayStation 3 while Microsoft announced their allegiance with the opposing HD-DVD format (resulting in optional drive for Xbox 360). Actually, what do you know? That was just last year. Nevertheless, we're already receiving the first signs of the finish line in this race.
Kotaku reports a rumor popping up around the net that prices for the 360 HD-DVD add-on are beginning to fall rather sharply. How much? Reports are saying that Wal-Mart is ignoring the regular retail price of $199.99 to sell the drive for a very cheap $130. This is after reports that Blu-ray movie sales are now surpassing HD-DVD, likely due to the PlayStation 3's release.

It's still far too early to announce Blu-ray as the winner and HD-DVD as dead and gone (though various analysts and studio heads have tried to do just that), but without some momentum in the opposite direction, Sony's choice may end up rolling over Microsoft's. Is the price drop part of a Microsoft effort to gain some momentum? Unlikely. These unconfirmed reports of lower prices are likely regional specials -- Wal-Mart currently lists the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player for $199.82.

Been able to snag an Xbox 360 HD-DVD player at Wal-Mart on the cheap? Send News Editor Luke Smith a scan of your receipt.

Looks like walmart is still selling it for 199.00 online...
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5334336

[Maximus]

If the add on becomes low enough in price, it could pave the way for HD DVD based games, with the game coming as a bundle similar to Guitar Hero II. Interesting.

[icyred64]

Ok too clarify too you blu-ray lovers.... Which i am too.... but im not just a blu-ray lover.... im a HIGH DEF LOVER... i don't care if its blu-ray, HD-DVD, DVD HD, HD WMV, HD QUICKTIME..... but too let you guys that think that either blu-ray or hd-dvd is going down the whole.... here's some facts.... Blu-ray will become the ultamite in High Def Movies involving graphical scenes like sci-fi's and action movies.... but we ALL know the biggest money maker in movies are PORN... and PORN is going HD-DVD.... so that means that HD-DVD will stay VERY ALIVE and STAY HERE FOR GOOD... Yes, High def porn can be great or bad... you get more details that will get you harder and more excited faster lol.... but also show the bad stuff better too... like razor burns ect... but hey.... i can already see that in VHS pron lol so i dont think that will make a huge difference... lol. But too let you guys know... Blu-ray and HD-DVD is here too STAY lol so get used too it... reason Microsoft is bringing down the prices of HD-DVD players is same reason Sony is bringing down there too.... Blu ray players are going from 1200$ too 800$.... thats a huge drop.... and a ps3 500$ now.... like common....

[theknub]

icy, you have a lot of misinformation in your post. hd-dvd does have some companies for pron, BR has some, and some dual release companies. the discussion regarding pron has raged for some time on here and other forums. the fact of the matter is that pron isn't the end all like it was years ago due to the internet. if pron is your argument, it is readily refuted.

now, what is the reason companies bring down prices? it is hard to tell unless you are in the know. however, manufacturing costs, new products, and competition can reduce price.

[Nismobeach]

The impact of porn in this format war is minimal at best. The only reason porn played a role in the Betamax/VHS war was that people could watch porn in the privacy of their own home as oppsed to a sleezy public theater.

All of the adult industry comments about "PORN DECIDING THE FORMAT WAR BY PICKING HD-DVD!!!" was nothing more than them playing up their own egos.

[ZX-VETTE]

The porn industry originally backed HD-DVD because their production costs would be lower than if they chose the blu-ray route. It comes down to making money and if blu-ray ends up as the overwhelming platform, the porn industry will be in on it too.

[bruce]

How the hell did this thread go from the price drop of the 360 add-on to porn within seven posts?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by bruce

How the hell did this thread go from the price drop of the 360 add-on to porn within seven posts?

..because icyred came in and posted a whole bunch of incorrect facts.

[kknight]

yep Porn is not a major factor this time. It's already been out on HD-DVD and there's no news about it lately that is helping HD-DVD sales. Blu-ray will get porn within the next couple of weeks. People are going to the internet these days for porn, back then since internet wasn't around, people had no choice but to buy VHS.

[oneaaron]

Originally Posted by theknub

icy, you have a lot of misinformation in your post. hd-dvd does have some companies for pron, BR has some, and some dual release companies. the discussion regarding pron has raged for some time on here and other forums. the fact of the matter is that pron isn't the end all like it was years ago due to the internet. if pron is your argument, it is readily refuted.

now, what is the reason companies bring down prices? it is hard to tell unless you are in the know. however, manufacturing costs, new products, and competition can reduce price.

I think your post has some misinformation... their is only one adult movie company that is supporting blu-ray... and if I'm wrong please tell me what other company's are doing so... Now I don't think porn is that important in winning the HD war but I'm just telling it as I see it...

[theknub]

im just going by what i recall. if you look, there are already pron companies in japan that are releasing that aren't mentioned here. from memory, i recall vivid and wicked supporting both. i do remember a studio saying they are going hd-dvd, but where are the titles / big announcements (no pun intended). which studio was it? end story though, it really doesn't matter and i don't see anyone willing to pay $60 a disc. whichever way, i tried to leave it as there are companies out there doing one, the other, or both. i didn't state studios on purpose. so no, there was no misinformation. this post prob contains a lot more misinformation.

man, the shot calling is getting fast and furious on here

[oneaaron]

Originally Posted by theknub

im just going by what i recall. if you look, there are already pron companies in japan that are releasing that aren't mentioned here. from memory, i recall vivid and wicked supporting both. i do remember a studio saying they are going hd-dvd, but where are the titles / big announcements (no pun intended). which studio was it? end story though, it really doesn't matter and i don't see anyone willing to pay $60 a disc. whichever way, i tried to leave it as there are companies out there doing one, the other, or both. i didn't state studios on purpose. so no, there was no misinformation. this post prob contains a lot more misinformation.

man, the shot calling is getting fast and furious on here

So you going by memory and you don't think you are spreading misinformation? Well Vivid is the only adult movie house producing blu-ray porn inside the us, so you like japanese porn do you (not my cup of tea but if that's what you like then good for you) lol... Steve Hirsch Vivid CEO said that he had a hard time finding duplication and replication felicity that would make his movies in blu-ray.... and the other big guys say Sony is making them choose HD DVD because they can't find a replication felicity...

[theknub]

so i don't see where i spread misinformation.

as far as replication facilities, we have even had our own isiders say this wasn't the issue. please search regarding this. most studios simply aren't sharing facilities or importing because they are trying to get their own work done. it has nothing to do with the fact it is pron, but that they are busy with their own materials.

[Blu-Light]

Originally Posted by icyred64

Ok too clarify too you blu-ray lovers.... Which i am too.... but im not just a blu-ray lover.... im a HIGH DEF LOVER... i don't care if its blu-ray, HD-DVD, DVD HD, HD WMV, HD QUICKTIME..... but too let you guys that think that either blu-ray or hd-dvd is going down the whole.... here's some facts.... Blu-ray will become the ultamite in High Def Movies involving graphical scenes like sci-fi's and action movies.... but we ALL know the biggest money maker in movies are PORN... and PORN is going HD-DVD.... so that means that HD-DVD will stay VERY ALIVE and STAY HERE FOR GOOD... Yes, High def porn can be great or bad... you get more details that will get you harder and more excited faster lol.... but also show the bad stuff better too... like razor burns ect... but hey.... i can already see that in VHS pron lol so i dont think that will make a huge difference... lol. But too let you guys know... Blu-ray and HD-DVD is here too STAY lol so get used too it... reason Microsoft is bringing down the prices of HD-DVD players is same reason Sony is bringing down there too.... Blu ray players are going from 1200$ too 800$.... thats a huge drop.... and a ps3 500$ now.... like common....

Nice try troll.

[dvda-sacd]

Why not "Microsoft liquidation"?

Cheers!

[oneaaron]

Originally Posted by theknub

so i don't see where i spread misinformation.

as far as replication facilities, we have even had our own isiders say this wasn't the issue. please search regarding this. most studios simply aren't sharing facilities or importing because they are trying to get their own work done. it has nothing to do with the fact it is pron, but that they are busy with their own materials.

Vivid CEO has said many times “Sony is not giving any assistance in the authoring or replication of adult content on Blu-ray,” said Hirsch. “Sony is somehow trying to keep away such material from the format, which I think is a mistake.”

Without Sony’s help, Vivid had to find authoring and replication facilities on its own. Hirsch added that Sony puts restrictions on all Blu-ray manufacturing facilities that produce Disney titles disallowing them from making adult content. By comparison, the manufacturing process for Vivid’s HD DVD adult titles is much easier as it is able to make use of existing facilities.

Adult content on Blu-ray Disc format may appear in greater numbers once there are more production facilities available. “Part of the problem [with Blu-ray] is that it’s a new format,” Hirsch said. “There are very few replicators right now.”

And when you say "BR has some, and some dual release companies" that is misinformation.. they have one....

[theknub]

this gets old, fast

here's paidgeek in response to pron and replication https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...6&postcount=30

so sony isn't helping, but they don't ban pornography. they just don't replicate as company policy

topic closed.

they have one company as we have agreed upon. now, what about those companies that have been mentioned producing in japan? isn't that having more than one, or some? maybe i am a liar in stating dual release companies. thanks for catching me on a technicality

[Blackraven]

I see this topic getting locked (by mods/admins) if more porn discussion continues.

--------------------------
Anyhow, going back on-topic...

I don't see any price drop except for Japan (USD$50 price drop).

That's all there is.

[PS3plus52XBR2]

I thought the Porn industry would be more cautious about jumping to the next gen formats because high def will show more imperfections. LOL Wouldn't it?