Best Buy REALLY Drops 360 HD-DVD Drive Price - $149

[TheSlup]

As most of you know, the Xbox HD-DVD Add-on price dropped to $180 today. Big deal right? Well it seems Best Buy has dropped the price all the way to $149. Now that's good deal. Especially with the 5 free HD-DVD offer (http://thelookandsoundofperfect.com/_pdf/perfectoffer_advert.pdf).

Best Buy Product Link (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8132095&st=xbox+hd+dvd&type=product&id=1158321865239)

Via NewsPail (http://www.newspail.com)

UPDATE: It seems Best Buy has changed the price on their web site to $179.

[Serapth]

Price never dropped in Canada. :(

[kokyunage]

Best Buy has some ridiculous deals recently. I bought Guitar Hero Rocking the 80's for 40 bucks and got a free $15 gift card from them. Which I promptly used a week later to buy 300 on DVD.

[tiremfej]

That settles it, I'm getting HD-DVD.

[Vandenh]

Hmmm.. when stand alone players hit 150 I might get one.

[Wadmaasi]

That settles it, I'm getting HD-DVD.
If I hadn't spent $1000+ dollars on Saturday I'd be next in line.

[GunnyMo]

Wow, if that's not a short term price drop I might pick that up next month.

[NoName]

Wow, for that price with 5 free movies... I think that's broken down my resistance to things I don't really need.

[sflufan]

The only problem with this is that if your 360 goes belly-up, so does your HD-DVD player until you get your console back (unless you hook it up through your PC which you can!).

[absolut taco]

$150? God damn, that's cheap for HD!

[Scull]

Damnit! I had finally settled on not buying this, and now it is basically a free player with the purchase of 5 movies. So ...hard...to...resist...Screw it, where's my credit card?

[AspectVoid]

Hmm...I just noticed something on the 5 free movies form. It says that its only valid with specific Toshiba HD-DVD players. The X360's player isn't on the list, so the 5 free movies deal would not be valid with it. Just a heads up for those thinking about the deal.

[silv]

Tempting, but I still do not want to buy into the whole HD-DVD/Blu-Ray anti-piracy ring. I'm not a criminal, don't treat me like one.

Thanks.

[Blade]

I would buy this in a second if HD-DVD were the clear winner.

It isn't.

[roboninja]

Tempting, but I still do not want to buy into the whole HD-DVD/Blu-Ray anti-piracy ring. I'm not a criminal, don't treat me like one.

Thanks.

Ummm, do you own a DVD player? It's really not all that different. I am no HD-DVD or Blu-Ray fan (I think neither format will become the next "standard"), but that is asome strange reasoning.

[Itchyeyes]

I'm not so sure if it is that great of a deal given the state of HD-DVD right now. As much as I hate to admit it, every day it seems more and more like HD-DVD is on the way out. It's to the point where I'm hesitant to buy HD-DVD's that I really want, like Planet Earth and 300, and I'm wondering if I should just unload my HD-DVD drive while it's still worth something.

[Xerxes]

I don't want to be a pawn in the wars... But man if this swung and favor for HD-DVD through the other pawns, I might be tempted.

[cppcrusader]

Clearly the old rule of not being able to submit news until you've made 10 posts hasn't been reinstated yet after the move.

[MSUStud911]

I was pretty sure I was going to pass on the HD-DVD drive even with the 5 free HD-DVDs, but for $150 I can't pass it up. My Best Buy had six HD-DVD drives yesterday. I wonder if they'll have any left after work today.

[LilAbner]

Excellent deal. Too bad the actual HD-DVDs are still $10-$15 more than a standard DVD.

Also, as tempting as this is, it's hard to do because there's no clear winner in the standard war and I don't want to be the guy with 100 beta movies.

[DjinniMan]

I would buy this in a second if HD-DVD were the clear winner.

It isn't.
I agree 100%. It looks like Blu-Ray will be the winner, but this deal sure is tempting, nonetheless. If nothing else, just to watch 300 in high def. :)

[grognard66]

I wonder if this is the add-on that is bundled with King Kong? Either way, this is a great deal. Even if HD-DVD ends up losing the format war the free HD-DVD's included pretty much pay for the add-on anyway and there are several movies only available on this format.

I have both the add-on and a PS3 but have many more HD-DVD's because of the better feature set - combo discs (HD-DVD/DVD) on some releases and in-movie experience. They both look and sound great but when there's a choice I go with HD-DVD for that reason.

[MSUStud911]

Excellent deal. Too bad the actual HD-DVDs are still $10-$15 more than a standard DVD.

True, but I've seen more deals and sales on HD-DVDs than I have Blu-Ray. I have a PS3, so I'm not biased for HD-DVD in any way, but I've noticed there are a lot of titles I'd like to have that are HD-DVD only. Maybe I just have a weird affinity for Universal and WB movies.

[Trazzlo the Magnificant]

Hmm...I just noticed something on the 5 free movies form. It says that its only valid with specific Toshiba HD-DVD players. The X360's player isn't on the list, so the 5 free movies deal would not be valid with it. Just a heads up for those thinking about the deal.
As I recall Toshiba originally did not offer the movies for the 360 drive, but they recently decided to do so.

[phantomhitman]

Get it, its worth the free $150++++ worth of hd-dvds.

[Phades]

Clearly the old rule of not being able to submit news until you've made 10 posts hasn't been reinstated yet after the move.

And why does that matter in regards to this bit of news?

[sflufan]

...aaaaaaand it's now sold out!

[Phades]

I wonder if this is the add-on that is bundled with King Kong? Either way, this is a great deal. Even if HD-DVD ends up losing the format war the free HD-DVD's included pretty much pay for the add-on anyway and there are several movies only available on this format.

I have both the add-on and a PS3 but have many more HD-DVD's because of the better feature set - combo discs (HD-DVD/DVD) on some releases and in-movie experience. They both look and sound great but when there's a choice I go with HD-DVD for that reason.

My problem is that Blu-Rays are almost always cheaper. Personally, I stopped buying movies after realizing that I'd watch most once or twice and then sit them on my shelf. Now I just got a Netflix account and use that (although now that they carry Blu-Ray I'm considering changing to Blockbuster, that in store swap out is pretty sweet.)

[Yeti2005]

Where are all the Blu-Ray trolls? You know the ones who spout "The war is already over, Blu-Ray for teh winz!" :)

[Xerxes]

Where are all the Blu-Ray trolls? You know the ones who spout "The war is already over, Blu-Ray for teh winz!" :)

Random doesn't post until later on in the day normally. :D

[LilAbner]

...aaaaaaand it's now sold out!

...online. Check your local Best Buy(s).

[beefyjr]

Excellent deal. Too bad the actual HD-DVDs are still $10-$15 more than a standard DVD.

Also, as tempting as this is, it's hard to do because there's no clear winner in the standard war and I don't want to be the guy with 100 beta movies.
Most HD-DVDs are $20 at Amazon. For the most part it's the combo discs (which is a terrible idea at a higher price point) that cost more.

I already have the add-on (got it for Xmas last year), but as far as I'm concerned for $150 I could throw it away next year and still feel like I got my money's worth. If there was a $200 Blu-ray player, I'd probably buy that too for just so I can watch all of the exclusives on that format.

[MSUStud911]

...but as far as I'm concerned for $150 I could throw it away next year and still feel like I got my money's worth.
This is essentially what I'm thinking. I see the Universal and WB exclusives and wish I had access to them, especially the Matrix trilogy, Serenity, and the upcomin Heroes HD-DVD.

[cppcrusader]

And why does that matter in regards to this bit of news?

Well, in regards to the fact that according to the form the 5 free movies isn't for the 360, making it a poor news submission. Unless of course they are actually offering them.

Now that I think of it, that 10 posts thing might have been for starting threads, not news. Man my memory's bad lately.

[Micasa]

I think they extended it to the HD DVD drive as well, but never updated the form.

[Scull]

According to Microsoft, the HD-DVD add on qualifies for the Toshiba offer.

I just went down to Best Buy to pick up my HD-DVD drive and it rings up at $179.99. I told them that their website had it for $149.99 and they matched that price. It came with King Kong. So yeah, six free HD-DVD's with a $150 drive is a damn good price, even if HD-DVD goes the way of the dodo.

[Wolvie]

Hmmm.... the price is about right. But I still don't want to buy a next-gen beta-max.

[TheSlup]

They fixed the website to $179 it seems. Yeah Scull you hit it right on the head, $150 for the HD drive and ~$180 in HD-DVDs.

[CptTripps]

This drive upscales DVD's right? I am mighty tempted at this offer. At $150 I think it's a decent price period for an upscaling DVD player that works on my 360 or HTPC even if I don't buy many HDDVD movies.

[Mr. Lake]

Good lord what a bunch of pussies you guys are, bitching about format wars and betamax. You deserve to have a great deal pass you up, you stringy tech snobs.

(does the whiney voice) "I don't wanna own betamax! Boo hoo!"

Lemme break it down:

Average cost of HD-DVD movie: $25
Multiply by 5x: $125
Cost of the HD-DVD Player: $150
Cost of player after subtracting free movies: $25

Honestly, the betamax label belongs to Blu-Ray just as much as it does to HD-DVD. The difference is that HD-DVD is doing something about it (through promotions like these). The only promotion I've seen for Blu-ray since it's launch was the free movie "Click"... and you couldn't PAY me to watch that.

[grandepolloloco]

Good lord what a bunch of pussies you guys are, bitching about format wars and betamax. You deserve to have a great deal pass you up, you stringy tech snobs.

(does the whiney voice) "I don't wanna own betamax! Boo hoo!"

Lemme break it down:

Average cost of HD-DVD movie: $25
Multiply by 5x: $125
Cost of the HD-DVD Player: $150
Cost of player after subtracting free movies: $25

Honestly, the betamax label belongs to Blu-Ray just as much as it does to HD-DVD. The difference is that HD-DVD is doing something about it (through promotions like these). The only promotion I've seen for Blu-ray since it's launch was the free movie "Click"... and you couldn't PAY me to watch that.

Actually blu-ray players have almost the same exact promo running right now for certain players and if you buy a ps3. Nice try tho.

[Gorvi]

Honestly, the betamax label belongs to Blu-Ray just as much as it does to HD-DVD. The difference is that HD-DVD is doing something about it (through promotions like these). The only promotion I've seen for Blu-ray since it's launch was the free movie "Click"... and you couldn't PAY me to watch that.
Did you somehow miss this (http://www.bluraysavings.com/)?

[Scull]

They fixed the website to $179 it seems. Yeah Scull you hit it right on the head, $150 for the HD drive and ~$180 in HD-DVDs.

Holy shit! They fixed the price mere minutes after I got it for $150! Typos for the win! But yeah, with 6 movies at ~$25 and the drive at $150 you really can't go wrong even if it ends up as a loser in the format wars. And it still works as an upconverting DVD player, so even your older content will look pretty good.

[Maskatron]

Damnit, sorry I missed out on this.

[Pluvious]

At that incorrect price, I would have bought one today. Oh well.. back to not caring.

[beefyjr]

And it still works as an upconverting DVD player, so even your older content will look pretty good.
I think it only upscales over HDMI or VGA, but I could be wrong. I think that the DVD Forum doesn't allow for upscaling over component.

[wiredInsanity]

Thanks for the heads up. Picked up the last one they had in stock today in store. :)

[phantomhitman]

I think it only upscales over HDMI or VGA, but I could be wrong. I think that the DVD Forum doesn't allow for upscaling over component.
Correct, just the xbox 360 does that, no need for the hddvd addon.

At that incorrect price, I would have bought one today. Oh well.. back to not caring.
$25 difference matters that much? The free movies ($30 each) cancel out the cost of the player anyways.

[Maskatron]

Correct, just the xbox 360 does that, no need for the hddvd addon.

Just the Elite model though.


$25 difference matters that much? The free movies ($30 each) cancel out the cost of the player anyways.


That's if you really think each of the 5 movies is worth that much to you. You can take your chances with eBay, but I have a feeling you're not going to get that much for them (and that's after waiting for them to arrive in the mail).

[phantomhitman]

Just the Elite model though.
Um, no. Any xbox 360 can upconvert using hdmi or vga. Trust me.

That's if you really think each of the 5 movies is worth that much to you. You can take your chances with eBay, but I have a feeling you're not going to get that much for them (and that's after waiting for them to arrive in the mail).
Um....you watch the movies and keep them, not sell them off. What the fuck is the point of buying the hd-dvd player if you have no movies to watch?

[Phades]

Um, no. Any xbox 360 can upconvert using hdmi or vga. Trust me.

Um... how do you hook that regular Xbox360 up via HDMI?

[phantomhitman]

You dont, just use vga. I am sure it has vga, I mean it is a av cable that is sold in the stores.

yes, i get yoru point

[Commadore]

The problem is that a movie you don't want to watch has no value. Since the 5 free hd-dvds aren't for any 5 you run the risk of not having all five movies be something you'd want to watch. So you ebay the others and hope to get some return on them.

[Disgustipated]

Holy shit! They fixed the price mere minutes after I got it for $150! Typos for the win! But yeah, with 6 movies at ~$25 and the drive at $150 you really can't go wrong even if it ends up as a loser in the format wars. And it still works as an upconverting DVD player, so even your older content will look pretty good.

Xbox 360 by itself works as an upscaling DVD player via VGA or HDMI.

[Maskatron]

Um, no. Any xbox 360 can upconvert using hdmi or vga. Trust me.

Well, I guess it's great if you think so, but you're wrong. Standard 360s don't have HDMI.


Um....you watch the movies and keep them, not sell them off. What the fuck is the point of buying the hd-dvd player if you have no movies to watch?

News alert: You don't get to chose any 5 HD-DVD movies that exists. There's a rather small list to choose from, and there's not any movie on the list that I would pay $10 for, much less $30. The second part of your comment is so retarded it's making my head spin.

[LilAbner]

Alas, I still get it for $150 with my employee discount. But I'm not getting it because I don't want to get burned if Blu-Ray wins. I'll wait for a clear winner.

[rainbowblack]

Damn, I just bought a 32" HDTV this weekend too. If we're lucky the 5 HDVD deal is here to stay, (lord knows how badly they need to move those things)

[phantomhitman]

Well, I guess it's great if you think so, but you're wrong. Standard 360s don't have HDMI.


News alert, they have VG fucking A that does upconvert.