The HD DVD Fire Sale Thread

[blublublu]

Apparently you can now purchase a Toshiba HD-A2 via Amazon for $237.88.

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=8453

- Plus the 5 free HD DVD Toshiba deal
- Plus buy one of the Matrix sets and get two additional HD DVDs from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...d_i=B000IJV4BC

It's clear the Tosbiba is virtually giving the hardware away at this point with this price and these bonues, and they clearly see this as the only way to claw back market share and force studios to move neutral.

This is going to be an offer that is going to be hard to refuse for many people.

Will Blu Ray standalone price drops be too little too late?

[JTK]

Firesale.

Why not go for the round numbers and make it 10 HD-DVDs with your $200 junk players?

It's just a matter of time. MS must really be subsidizing the hell out of this stuff, because I just can't imagine Toshiba keeping this up much longer.

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by JTK

Firesale.

Why not go for the round numbers and make it 10 HD-DVDs with your $200 junk players?

It's just a matter of time. MS must really be subsidizing the hell out of this stuff, because I just can't imagine Toshiba keeping this up much longer.

I really think microsoft doesn't care that much. just look at how much they could have helped out hd dvd, but havn't.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

I really think microsoft doesn't care that much. just look at how much they could have helped out hd dvd, but havn't.

Even MS can only do so much, I suppose.

Short term, these price slashes have done well for them.

I think the A2 is the best selling piece of electronics on all of Amazon as of today, or close to it, thanks to this and some other $237 shipped with 5 HD-DVD promo they had today as well. I think I saw those figures...

Nice sales indeed, but gee whiz. It's got to come back from somewhere.

[Greenmatiz2]

As much as people get angry at me for saying this, this format war will be decided by price (in the USA). Sony and their clan are just too greedy to realize this, and if they lose, this will be the reason why. Blu-ray's "we are better -- we're not lowering prices" hubris will cost them this battle if something isn't done soon.

Sony is riding on this "we've got higher sales" line, which will soon disappear at the rate HD-DVD's inexpensive players are selling. What we'll see is HD-DVD sales figures slowly, but surely, overtaking BR figures because more HD-DVD players will be out there due to low prices.

I'll be interested to see the videoscan numbers come out, but it doesn't appear that the massive sales expectations of Pirates, etc., May 22 releases has been all that massive.

DVD upscaling looks good enough to a lot of people, therefore price will be what drives people to a format. They won't buy into it until it's priced right.

I prefer to rent DVDs, myself. I'm not biting into this format buying frenzy anymore. Whatever the rental stores offer is what I will find useful -- be it HD-DVD or Blu-ray. If more people have HD-DVD players, then the rental stores will stock that more.

And the content argument... meh.... if a lot more inexpensive HD-DVD players are out there, the studios will cave and cater to them. Everyone but Sony. I don't have to own Sony's movies, and the general public will feel the same. Is this starting to sound like previously lost format wars Sony has engaged in? Heck, people will just rent the Sony movies on regular DVDs and watch them upscaled.

Sony pricing hubris. Costing this war.

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by Greenmatiz2

And the content argument... meh.... if a lot more inexpensive HD-DVD players are out there, the studios will cave and cater to them.

Sony pricing hubris. Costing this war.

Costing them a battle maybe, but definitely not the war. First point, remember that this isn't just Sony; Blu-Ray disc is a BDA product supported by all its many members.

More importantly, there are millions of blu-ray players, but only about 100,000 HD-DVD players; Disney and Fox are not going to change their minds.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by JTK

Firesale.

Why not go for the round numbers and make it 10 HD-DVDs with your $200 junk players?

It's just a matter of time. MS must really be subsidizing the hell out of this stuff, because I just can't imagine Toshiba keeping this up much longer.

MS certainly has the money. For example they allegedly paid $200 million for BB to push MSN - and have now been charged under the RICO act.

Btw, isn't there anti-dumping laws to prevent predatory practices? $230 for a brand new technology and 5 free movies seems like dumping to me - but it would need an expert or those being effected to determine if that's what's going on.

[iceman]

Originally Posted by Greenmatiz2

As much as people get angry at me for saying this, this format war will be decided by price (in the USA). Sony and their clan are just too greedy to realize this, and if they lose, this will be the reason why. Blu-ray's "we are better -- we're not lowering prices" hubris will cost them this battle if something isn't done soon.

Sony is riding on this "we've got higher sales" line, which will soon disappear at the rate HD-DVD's inexpensive players are selling. What we'll see is HD-DVD sales figures slowly, but surely, overtaking BR figures because more HD-DVD players will be out there due to low prices.

I'll be interested to see the videoscan numbers come out, but it doesn't appear that the massive sales expectations of Pirates, etc., May 22 releases has been all that massive.

DVD upscaling looks good enough to a lot of people, therefore price will be what drives people to a format. They won't buy into it until it's priced right.

I prefer to rent DVDs, myself. I'm not biting into this format buying frenzy anymore. Whatever the rental stores offer is what I will find useful -- be it HD-DVD or Blu-ray. If more people have HD-DVD players, then the rental stores will stock that more.

And the content argument... meh.... if a lot more inexpensive HD-DVD players are out there, the studios will cave and cater to them. Everyone but Sony. I don't have to own Sony's movies, and the general public will feel the same. Is this starting to sound like previously lost format wars Sony has engaged in? Heck, people will just rent the Sony movies on regular DVDs and watch them upscaled.

Sony pricing hubris. Costing this war.

You are forgetting a couple of things:

1. Fox and Disney want BD+ BADLY and will not release on HD-DVD, despite how many HD-DVD players Toshiba has sold. Sony won't release on HD-DVD either.
2. People buying HD-DVD players will be upset when they can't play movies that are BD exclusive, which also happens to be the latest blockbusters. If Fox, Disney, Lionsgate and Sony just keep calm and stick to BD, people will eventually be forced to buy a BD player.
3. Giving away HD-DVD players/movies won't result in any profits.
4. Think long term.
5. PS3.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Greenmatiz2

As much as people get angry at me for saying this, this format war will be decided by price (in the USA). Sony and their clan are just too greedy to realize this, and if they lose, this will be the reason why. Blu-ray's "we are better -- we're not lowering prices" hubris will cost them this battle if something isn't done soon.

Then perhaps HD DVD has won. Because it seems that unless Blu-ray is masacring HD DVD, some Blu-ray fans see it as threatening, while the HD DVD fans see it as a massive victory.

BD is winning big. And BD fans seem to be running scared.

Gary

[GaS]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Then perhaps HD DVD has won. Because it seems that unless Blu-ray is masacring HD DVD, some Blu-ray fans see it as threatening, while the HD DVD fans see it as a massive victory.

BD is winning big. And BD fans seem to be running scared.

Gary

Tell me about it. Some BD people here get all bent out of shape over small things. First it was the funai story getting everyone's panties in a knot, now its this weekend sale with the A2. Honestly I don't care what the amazon ranking is, how many of these things do you think amazon is really moving? In the grand scheme of things, not many.

BD prices will come down as the market demands. BD has the overwhelming content advantage. It's one damn weekend for goodness sake. Chill out, its all good.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Iceman

You are forgetting a couple of things:

1. Fox and Disney want BD+ BADLY and will not release on HD-DVD, despite how many HD-DVD players Toshiba has sold. Sony won't release on HD-DVD either.

Here's my vote for one of the most significant statements uttered by an insider:

Originally Posted by paidgeek

Frankly I was surprised that both formats brought the pricing in as low as it is. There is virtually no chance of selling these films again on the basis of improving picture or sound and I think having such a close copy of the master elements should command a better price.

There will always be new releases in new formats, of course. But, I must admit I've been wondering myself whether I would ever be able to justify replacing any of my BD purchases again. They are SPECTACULAR.

Why in the world would any studio risk their key catalog content if they think this could be the very last opportunity to sell us that catalog title?

Gary

[GaS]

Does anyone here think this is a sign of strength? 200 dollar players with umpteen free discs?

Looks like a textbook definition of desperation to me. This deal might be tempting to someone looking to get into highdef, but it won't make any difference to people who aren't sure or don't care. And they still haven't given PS3 owners a reason to purchase. Thats several million people off the table for Toshiba.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by GaS

Tell me about it. Some BD people here get all bent out of shape over small things. First it was the funai story getting everyone's panties in a knot, now its this weekend sale with the A2. Honestly I don't care what the amazon ranking is, how many of these things do you think amazon is really moving? In the grand scheme of things, not many.

Seems something happened at 1:00pm today

[bluflu]

HD DVD sounds like a good deal until you learn the only thing unique to HD DVD is old catalog titles from Universal.

[blublublu]

Originally Posted by GaS

Does anyone here think this is a sign of strength? 200 dollar players with umpteen free discs?

Looks like a textbook definition of desperation to me. This deal might be tempting to someone looking to get into highdef, but it won't make any difference to people who aren't sure or don't care. And they still haven't given PS3 owners a reason to purchase. Thats several million people off the table for Toshiba.

$200 plus all these free discs is getting to a point where it becomes a very minor purchase for a lot of people. It's not a lot to lose if the format fails.

Toshiba is going all out to fight for the format.

[NARMAK]

As impressive as that 1.00 graph looks, how long do you think they can sustain that momentum, not very long in my opinion and this should trigger a small price drop in blu-ray at the very most.

Or maybe there just clearing out stocks of HD-DVD junk b4 goin neutral Q1 2008.

[GaS]

It will be back to normal tomorrow.

[blublublu]

You can also get the Toshiba for $243 at Sam's Club...


http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=8466

[bluflu]

Originally Posted by blublublu

You can also get the Toshiba for $243 at Sam's Club...


http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=8466

You can get a laser disc player on Ebay for $15.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by blublublu

You can also get the Toshiba for $243 at Sam's Club...

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?t=8466

So, as you alluded to, how cheap does a no-name Chinese player have to sell for now?

Toshiba has now set the new MAXIMUM price for a base HD DVD player.

Gary