HD DVD Breaks the $100 Barrier (With a Little Help from Wal-Mart)

Blu-Ray is using the PS3 as its HW attack. There are over 5.5 million PS3's sold as of last month, so there are plenty of Blu-ray players out there. Bundling Blu-ray movies with PS3's is a smart way that Sony used to get gamers to start thinking about their PS3's as video players.

I personally prefer HDDVD to Blu-ray, but truth in journalism trumps that.

Average consumer wants a videoplayer, SPECIFICALLY TO PLAY VIDEOS. Statistics already proved that only A VERY SMALL percentage of PS3 owners, use their system to play movies. Consumers are MORE PRICE-CONSCIOUS than TECH-UPDATED; given current economy, it's MUCH MORE RELEVANT NOW than ever. A HUNDRED DOLLAR VIDEO PLAYER IS THE SWEETSPOT for consumers. Given current MEGA DEAL w/ Walmart & a major manufacturing plant in China, we will see more $99 (or less) HD-DVD this 2007-2008. THAT'S A FACT.
Even if the standalone blu-ray players reduce in price, it will NEVER MATCH the HD-DVD's retail price. Reason: Manufacturing cost. So I think this is the beginning, of the END OF THE FORMAT WARS.
Average consumers does not see the ASTRONOMICAL difference in the two format's video quality. Definitely NOT WORTH THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE. Heck, average consumer in the United States is BARELY SHOPPING for an HDTV set!
My money's on HD-DVD. Just because I'm realistic. Not TECH-OBSESSIVE.

I got a hd dvd for my xbox 360 a long time ago (I have 10 HD DVDs so far). When I read the news about Warner Bors. possible going all Blu, I was thinking: Its all over!!! But now with all this good Wal-Mart news of the $98 and $198 Toshiba player, I am VERY HAPPY!!!

So happy that I made it easier for all HD DVD fans world wide to visit TheLookAndSoundOfPerfect site. Now they can use this domain instead: http://www.tlasop.com

I find it strange that Toshiba didn't buy and forward this domain already, Well..I did it for all of us!

xplaytendo:
why are you shouting? you're hurting my eardrums.

Some of these comments contradict another. Customers aren't really shopping for HDTV sets. Okay, so why would they plunk down even a paltry $100 for a hi-def DVD player? There are people out there still buying FULL-SCREEN DVDs. Do you think they know anything about what the differences are in a hi-def DVD?

Also being in the bargain bin doesn't exactly speak well for the future. That's normally the first sign that things aren't going too well so dropping the price is the only way to get some attention.

Lastly, I think everyone is forgetting about movie studio support. Big deal Paramount went to HD-DVD. It doesn't include Spielberg films so the next Indy will be available in both formats. And the deal is only good for another 16 or so months. Doesn't help that Michael Bay even said that Blu-Ray is where his money is on as the winner (this is recent, not from his drunken tirade).

Then there's the Disney factor. 'Nuff said.

Also for xplaytendo: I am unsure from your post which format you think a higher video quality: BR or HD...well?

Both! HD-DVD is now capable of showing RAW 1080p format. Check out the new line of standalone players on the net.
Again, the average consumer does not care about these numbers. Nor do they care which studio backs which format. Show uncle Ted or Aunt Peg two hdtv screens running the formats on each side, and both will look the same.
Now, show the same people the same movie in 1080p & 1080i on the same hdtv sets side by side... I can guarantee you they will hardly discern a surmountable difference between the two. If they do see the difference, it would be scant. Should they select to buy the better-looking format (again, using their naked eyes standing 4-5 feet away from a 32-46 inch hdtv), their enthusiasm for such WILL NOT (and I stress this strongly), WILL NOT justify their means to spend $400 (on a blu ray) when they know that next to it is a $200 hd-dvd.
The studios are not the driving force on the next format. It's the one with a cheaper price tag.
Best example: The Wii.

In my opinion, this could shift the game in favor of HD-DVD.

I know there are over 5 million PS3's out there that can play Blu-Ray, but the Digital Entertainment Group estimates that there are 73 million households with at least one DVD player (2005 figures). When 68 million households look to upgrade to HD, do you think they will spend $400 on a Blu-Ray player, or $100 on HD-DVD? Especially when it is to replace their $50 DVD player? Or, when they are replacing multiple units? Blu-Ray needs to drop in price if it is to remain a viable option.

Just my 2 cents, but I'm not gonna jump on the HD-DVD or Blu-Ray wagon yet. There are still a lot of unanswered questions before this battle is decided.

This will just create more unhappy customers, considering that HD DVD is nearing it's death. Warner is already talking about going Blu-Ray exclusive... that leaves only two studios releasing on HD DVD. Who wants a player (even for $98) that doesn't have any movies? I do agree that Blu-Ray needs to drop their prices, but HD DVD's sales tactics are only delaying it's death, not preventing it.

HD-DVD is nowhere "'nearing it's death." That's just your assumption. HD-DVD is now more attractive to the average consumer at HALF the price of Blu Ray - with more HD-DVD players supporting 1080p. Your assumption that the lesser technology will die immature. Average consumer care about price over superior technology. They don't care for the 'slightly better' visual, nor the larger studio backing... if it will cost them DOUBLE the price of the other competitor.
We both agree on one thing: Blue Ray needs to drop their prices. If not, IT IS BLU RAY that will die on the store shelves. Not HD-DVD.
Regardless of how you explain to the regular citizen the technical differences between the two formats, show them the same videos playing on both formats on two HDTV's, side by side. they will see A VERY MINOR DIFFERENCE (in normal watching distance). Then show them the price between the 2 players, guaranteed they will NOT pay double for the blu ray player.

HD-DVD is nowhere "'nearing it's death." That's just your assumption. HD-DVD is now more attractive to the average consumer at HALF the price of Blu Ray - with more HD-DVD players supporting 1080p. Your assumption that the lesser technology will die immature. Average consumer care about price over superior technology. They don't care for the 'slightly better' visual, nor the larger studio backing... if it will cost them DOUBLE the price of the other competitor.
We both agree on one thing: Blue Ray needs to drop their prices. If not, IT IS BLU RAY that will die on the store shelves. Not HD-DVD.
Regardless of how you explain to the regular citizen the technical differences between the two formats, show them the same videos playing on both formats on two HDTV's, side by side. they will see A VERY MINOR DIFFERENCE (in normal watching distance). Then show them the price between the 2 players, guaranteed they will NOT pay double for the blu ray player.

HD-DVD is nowhere "'nearing it's death." That's just your assumption. HD-DVD is now more attractive to the average consumer at HALF the price of Blu Ray - with more HD-DVD players supporting 1080p. Your assumption that the lesser technology will die immature. Average consumer care about price over superior technology. They don't care for the 'slightly better' visual, nor the larger studio backing... if it will cost them DOUBLE the price of the other competitor.
We both agree on one thing: Blue Ray needs to drop their prices. If not, IT IS BLU RAY that will die on the store shelves. Not HD-DVD.
Regardless of how you explain to the regular citizen the technical differences between the two formats, show them the same videos playing on both formats on two HDTV's, side by side. they will see A VERY MINOR DIFFERENCE (in normal watching distance). Then show them the price between the 2 players, guaranteed they will NOT pay double for the blu ray player.

The Toshiba HD-A2 isn't selling for $98.87 because HD DVD is dying. The HD-A2 (1080i) is being replaced by the HD-A3 (1080P). Walmart made a killer deal and the consumer benefits. No one knows for sure which format will win. HD DVD and Blu-Ray have roughly the same number of movies. There are roughly the same number of players for both formats too. HD DVD is almost always less expensive than Blu-Ray. I have seen the HD-A2 sell for as high as $299 which is the current price of the new HD-A3. I read many consumer reviews of the HD-A2 it is a best seller, and wins high praise from almost everyone for its high quality video and sound. Today I decided to vote with my wallet. I was one on the lucky people at Walmart this morning buying an HD-A2 for $98.87. Walmart had 12 of them at 8:00AM, and by 9:00AM there were 5 left. I give this simple player high marks for sound and video. For $98.87 and 5 free HD DVD's I can take a chance. If I don't win in the long run I haven't spent a lot of money.

Hey is the sale only in the USA???

I got mine!!!!!! And to answer the question - are the titles selling also - the answer is yes!!! In a little town east of Pensacola there were 6 titles sold out on HD-DVD (to include Top Gun, TMNT, and several others - they have extra stock on Transformers). The Walmart has more Blu-Ray media but it's not selling - its just sitting there like it was when it surrounded the PS3. This Walmart really kept it a secret (not letting them hit the floor - you had to ask for them) but sure enough - enough people heard about it for them to sell! Face it blu-ray - you guys have got to do something, the average consumer doesn't have 400-600 dollars to spend on a HD device and 1080p doesn't mean that much. My wife can barely tell the difference between HD and DVD (i can tell it though). If you don't lower your hardware cost - you must lower your software cost to that of DVD - other than that, you're doomed if you think PS3 is going to get you out of the hole.