HD DVD Fire Sale Begins

[bapenguin]

After being trounced at CES this year with Warner jumping ship, and numbers heavily favoring Blu-Ray, Toshiba and the HD DVD group have started agressive pricing and discounts, or as I like to call it; A Fire Sale.

The MSRP of both discs and players have been reduced in a last ditch effort to hold the market. There's even a full press release (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-14-2008/0004735440&EDATE=) in regards to it.
"HD DVD is the best way to watch movies in high definition," said Jodi Sally, Vice President of Marketing, Toshiba's Digital A/V Group. "Our HD DVD players not only play back approximately 800 HD DVD titles availableworldwide and deliver an entirely new level of entertainment but also enhance the picture quality to near high definition on legacy DVD titles byall studios. In short, we added high def to DVD which already is the defacto standard format created and approved by the DVD Forum that consistsof more than two hundred companies."

Amazon already has a discount page setup (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Ffeatur e.html%3Fie%3DUTF8%26plgroup%3D1%26docId%3D1000186 961%26plpage%3D1&tag=theweeklyrel-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325) showing the HD DVD prices of $14.99 and up.

Finally, the MSRP of all 3 of Toshiba's players also received a hefty discount. Of course,the online prices are even cheaper. With the HD A3 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FToshiba-HD-A3-720p-1080i-Player%2Fdp%2FB000U62N1S%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectro nics%26qid%3D1200317532%26sr%3D1-1&tag=theweeklyrel-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325) lists for $130, the HD-A30 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FToshiba-HD-A30-1080p-DVD-Player%2Fdp%2FB000U6AHYS%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectro nics%26qid%3D1200317532%26sr%3D1-2&tag=theweeklyrel-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325) lists for $175, and finally the top of the line HD-A35 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FToshiba-HD-A35-1080p-DVD-Player%2Fdp%2FB000U6AHZW%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectro nics%26qid%3D1200317532%26sr%3D1-3&tag=theweeklyrel-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325) lists for $275.

It should be noted that there are over 220 Blu-Ray titles (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42593) discounted as well.

Last chance to solidify your HD DVD collection before the end?

[CoachCrazyMcScot]

Apparently Amazon is also offering select BluRay at the same 50% discount as select HD-DVD. It will be interesting to see where the public goes on this.

[protocol_image]

that is really tempting......but it's hard to justify buying a crap load of movies for a player that in a year's time, will probably never get used

i am at least happy that amazon price matches after purchase, so i can get $50 back on the A3 now :)

[Atorak]

I'm afraid to buy any more HD DVD disks knowing that the format will ultimately lose. Come May, everyone will be jumping ship.

Which makes me wonder when the disks I bought as exclusive HD DVD titles will be reformatted to Blu-Ray?

[TrackZero]

Booyah, time to get me some cheap HD movies.

[Roc Ingersol]

Ultimately, both formats are going to lose.
Hell, you could argue they've already lost -- digital downloads are embarrassing this little format war.

[Vandenh]

A pity actually... these are good prices for HD format players.

I just got myself a HDD HD player.... probably a better option for HD content ;)

[II ZoiD II]

Well, I have the player I might as well get some discs to go in the tray while I can!

[donkeydrop]

Hell, you could argue they've already lost -- digital downloads are embarrassing this little format war.

I don't think pirating movies counts as a business model. And no, iTunes movies are not hi-def, and XBL is rental only (and has sold less than blu-ray or HD DVD anyway).

[Yeti2005]

This is awesome although I'll guessing if HD-DVD loses the "war" then we'll see even cheaper prices in which case I'm buying up a ton of movies. Stupid people will ask "Why are you buying movies for a format that's not going to last?" Answer: just because the format goes aways doesn't mean my player or movies suddenly disappear.

In the end, I'm format neutral AND I download high-def movies from Live so I'll get my high-def fix anywhere I can :)

[Vandenh]

don't think pirating movies counts as a business model

This is how mp3 started. When enough people "pirate" movies that probably means there is a market and companies will jump on. Actually they are jumping on already since they have the knowhow from the whole digital music business. Of course bandwidth is probably not here yet and digital music downloads are also not quite mainstream yet. So I guess downloaded movies will be big bucks in 3-4 years for mainstream users? Once media clients/servers like HDD recorders offer build in shopping options.

[Sir Kodiak]

I don't think pirating movies counts as a business model. And no, iTunes movies are not hi-def, and XBL is rental only (and has sold less than blu-ray or HD DVD anyway).

Yes. This.

I'll have a lot more interest in digital downloads as a competitor to Blu-ray and HD-DVD when there's actually a competing product.

[Haemorrhage]

I don't think pirating movies counts as a business model. And no, iTunes movies are not hi-def, and XBL is rental only (and has sold less than blu-ray or HD DVD anyway).

Actually, I don't think he was referring to pirated downloads. He was actually referring to the fact that the revenue of purchased digitally distributed movies 2 year ago was double the revenue of both HD-DVD and Blu-ray this last year. I can't remember where the thread was. If I find it I will post it.

Ultimately, I am glad to see one universal HD format. Especially for movies with fantastic video quality like Ratatoullie. Videophiles simply can't get this video bitrate by digital distribution. Ratatoullie on Blu-ray has a 24 Mbps VC-1 bitrate, where as Xbox Live typical bitrate usually runs around 5000-6000 kbps. That is a huge difference.

[frederec]

Of course bandwidth is probably not here yet and digital music downloads are also not quite mainstream yet.

I think bandwidth is currently the main barrier to digital downloads taking off fully. I have a feeling it's okay for now while relatively few people do it, but if we were to switch to purely online means of distributing entertainment, this country will need much better internet service than it's currently got.

Then again, I hate that idea. I prefer physical copies. In fact, I recently bought an album digitally because that was the only way it was available. It was then released in a limited edition CD, which I then purchased just so I could have a hard copy. I would much rather have a hard copy which I can then chose how to rip, store, and use it digitally than have that choice made for me. And I loathe the way much digital entertainment uses DRM (see XBLA and Steam and the requirement to be online to use their products).

[Johan]

Perception creates reality (which in this case is also creating perception). Consumers aren't totally stupid (close, however), and don't usually like the stench of death in the items they purchase (excluding animal products, of course! :D).

Looking back, I know I had a point in there somewhere.

[Drayven]

I'm all for HD-DVD "losing" right now. I'll still have my player when this is all said and done and the movies I get now will still play. I'll also have a blu-ray player, and it too will work.

[Greeble]

I know people say digital distribution will kill Blu-Ray too. But I think this is at least 3-5 years away. The quality of most "HD" downloads aren't nearly as nice as their Disc counterparts. If someone spends thousands on their 1080p TV and 7.1 surround sound set up why would they settle for a crappy rip. Seems to me they would want the highest quality possible. I get my Blu-rays from netflix.

[drakkarim]

wasn't the a30 for $199 during the whole christmas thing? i'm failing to see the 'sale' if my worthless memory serves me correct.

either way, i'm not wasting a penny until one or the other dies.

as for digital distribution... my ass, as long as cable companies offer cheap 2mb 'high speed' cable (which is what i pay for), the market won't even be ready for digital distribution to replace anything.

i hear noise about cable companies starting to offer 100mb connections, but until they're at rates people are willing to pay for en masse, they might as well keep churning out the discs for many more years, which is i'm guessing exactly the way the bluray-hddvd people see it, as they privvy to more info (not to mention able to set their own time tables for milking technologies). so unless you plan on not owning any movies for the next half dozen years at least, don't hold your breath about digital distribution.

[Gorvi]

While I wouldn't invest in a player, if I had an HD DVD player, I'd snap up the movies in a heartbeat.

[thefunmachine]

Apparently Amazon is also offering select BluRay at the same 50% discount as select HD-DVD. It will be interesting to see where the public goes on this.

The first post should be edited to have this information also. And chance the title its not a fire sale at amazon.

[Schnoogs]

Ultimately, both formats are going to lose.
Hell, you could argue they've already lost -- digital downloads are embarrassing this little format war.


Exactly...there are so many sites where you can download 1080p movies.

Oh wait. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Beelzebud]

If only prices had been affordable from the beginning, we might be seeing a different outcome right now.

[DigitalFirefly]

The first post should be edited to have this information also. And chance the title its not a fire sale at amazon.

Not to mention there's over 200 BluRay moves on sale and only 80 HD DVDs.

[Limech]

How many people in Walmart you think knows of this impending HD-DVD doom? If they don't know and buy those players in large numbers because they are cheap, any way the tide could turn?

Most people here either:
a) Have a high-def player already
b) Are waiting for the format war to end to commit.

So basically all those that know (dare I say, think) that HD-DVD is dead aren't actually the ones that are going to buy those HD-DVD players for cheap.

If you really want the format war to be over, then every geek out there needs to buy a blu-ray player this month.

[GargantulaKon]

I'm afraid to buy any more HD DVD disks knowing that the format will ultimately lose. Come May, everyone will be jumping ship.

Which makes me wonder when the disks I bought as exclusive HD DVD titles will be reformatted to Blu-Ray?

I wonder the same thing. I want the Heroes Season 1 that is currently HD DVD exclusive.

Ultimately, both formats are going to lose.
Hell, you could argue they've already lost -- digital downloads are embarrassing this little format war.

I currently do not like digital downloads. I like having a physical collection in case my hard drives die. I had a hard drive die (corrupted) and lost many files I did not have enough space to back up. Since then, I do not trust anything digital. I only buy digital games and digital movies if it is the ONLY way to go. Examples: Live for Speed, Battlefield 2142 Northern Strike, Ultra Assault, Starscape, etc.

[Gorvi]

How many people in Walmart you think knows of this impending HD-DVD doom? If they don't know and buy those players in large numbers because they are cheap, any way the tide could turn?
It's funny you say that. Looking at the games section in the local Walmart this weekend (they actually have some decent unadvertised sales sometimes) I overheard the sales guy telling a customer not to buy an HD-DVD player since Warner Bros. deal just happened and the format would be dead soon.

[Johan]

How many people in Walmart you think knows of this impending HD-DVD doom? If they don't know and buy those players in large numbers because they are cheap, any way the tide could turn?

The tide can't turn if the studios sign exclusive contracts with the BR consortium (Sony and others). Customers will buy the device that plays the movies that are available and which they want. If you want a particular movie and it's only on BR, what do you do?

But it on BR.

[bapenguin]

The first post should be edited to have this information also. And chance the title its not a fire sale at amazon.

The post was really created because of the Press Release from Toshiba. They officially cut the MSRP on all players, and discounted the discs.

[Panthera]

Where's the Canadian deals? I really want some of these movies.

[agentgray]

Very nice. They should have done this last October or November.

Oh well. Thanks to Amazon, I got two movies today.

[Yeti2005]

I know people say digital distribution will kill Blu-Ray too. But I think this is at least 3-5 years away. The quality of most "HD" downloads aren't nearly as nice as their Disc counterparts. If someone spends thousands on their 1080p TV and 7.1 surround sound set up why would they settle for a crappy rip.

I agree audio and videophiles who spend thousands on their equipment would want the highest possible quality but honestly what percentage of people fit in that category compared to the mainstream consumer. I'm guessing 2-5%. The mainstream public wants the products cheap and easy (insert your mom or hooker joke here) so if it's easy download movies and it doesn't cost much then it will kill off the physical format.

To further prove quality doesn't count for crap take a look at iTune music sales. The quality of the music you can get from iTunes isn't nearly as good as a CD or SACD but people buy them by the tons because it's cheap and easy. The Ipod itself is by far the most popular mp3 player but it's probably one of the worst in playback quality among the top players (Creative or IRiver are probably the tops).

[Haemorrhage]

Exactly...there are so many sites where you can download 1080p movies.

Oh wait. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

What is the penetration of 1080p TV's in North America anyways? 720p or hell even SD 480p digital downloads would satisfy the majority of average consumers. I think 20+ gig 1080p digital downloads would be overkill for now. I view digital downloads as convenience over quality, which goes for a lot in todays society.

Blu-ray will continue to be a legitimate format for people who like physical media, extra features, and true, uncompressed high definition movies. Will it have as big of penetration as DVD or legal digital distribution, probably not, but it will have its niche market.

[H1PO]

Ultimately, both formats are going to lose.
Hell, you could argue they've already lost -- digital downloads are embarrassing this little format war.
This man knows where its at.

[dimsumx]

I'm all for beefing up my collection regardless of studio support.

I plan to own a dual format player in the future. :)

[PathMaster]

While I wouldn't invest in a player, if I had an HD DVD player, I'd snap up the movies in a heartbeat.

I agree with you 100% on this. For me, the price of admission into HD content (TV & player) is just too steep at the moment.

[Schnoogs]

What is the penetration of 1080p TV's in North America anyways? 720p or hell even SD 480p digital downloads would satisfy the majority of average consumers. I think 20+ gig 1080p digital downloads would be overkill for now. I view digital downloads as convenience over quality, which goes for a lot in todays society.

Blu-ray will continue to be a legitimate format for people who like physical media, extra features, and true, uncompressed high definition movies. Will it have as big of penetration as DVD or legal digital distribution, probably not, but it will have its niche market.

Who cares if 1 person owns one....that has nothing to do with the point of my post and nothing to do with the post I was quoting. If I happen to be that 1 person I'm glad we have BluRay and HDDVD. It has better quality than any download service currently available.

[Johan]

I believe both will coexist for a while (digital downloads and physical HD media). I remember reading elsewhere here on the boards that digital downloads were actually double the value of HD disk sales last year, and growing more year to year than HD disks. I don't have a link, however.

I for one, when I do get an HD television, will want a physical medium for my purchases.

[Mudvayne_Nothin]

This sale is not because of toshiba's annoucements. This amazon sale for HD DVD's and Blu-ray's has been there for weeks....in accurate headline.

[Harv]

I hedged a bit and bought the PS3. If the format loses at least I have a decent game playing machine with some other cool stuff built in.

I've got a 50" 1080p tv and Blu-Ray looks awesome on it. Digital download cannot compare. Plus for a full HD movie I'm looking at a long download on my piddly 2mb connection. And while I often don't watch the same movie many times, sometimes I do, and for those it obviously works out better to purchase the physical media.

The sooner one format or another dies the better in my eyes and if it works out to be Blu-Ray that wins I'm all for that.

[morose]

Ultimately, both formats are going to lose.
Hell, you could argue they've already lost -- digital downloads are embarrassing this little format war.
Really? Show me some numbers. As far as I know, digital downloads aren't doing shit. Or did Wal-mart cancel their digital download store because they just couldn't keep up with demand? Might as well claim standard DVD is crushing both HD formats... at least there are sales numbers to back that up. ;)

[hainrs]

Hell, you could argue they've already lost -- digital downloads are embarrassing this little format war.

Bullshit. DDs are a decade off from mainstream if that. You have to have 20-30 grand worth of hardware, at current standards, to accommodate a collection the size of a lot of the movie collectors.

[Micasa]

220 Blu Ray titles on sale, so it must be over for Blu Ray too.

[Vanthar]

220 Blu Ray titles on sale, so it must be over for Blu Ray too.

Toshiba released an actual press release about player price drops and movie price drops. Amazon is probably not the best place to show the movies on sale, but all stores will have HD-DVD on 'clearance' soon enough.

[Sir Kodiak]

To further prove quality doesn't count for crap take a look at iTune music sales.

There's at least four reasons why the iTunes Store for music isn't a good comparison to digitally downloaded movies for TVs:
1) Music downloads have a killer feature in only downloading one track of an album. There's nothing comparable in movie downloads. There is however in TV downloads.
2) There's a unifying highly-popular device for music downloads: the iPod. There's no equivalent device for movie downloads. Most people don't watch movies on their Windows PC or hook up their PC to their TV, and nothing else is common enough.
3) iTunes music can be low quality by virtue of being played on a device with mediocre ability to reproduce music: the iPod audio chipset isn't the greatest and the headphones are small. There's no equivalently powerful need to give up quality for portability in the movie space.
4) MP3 players already require you to put all your music on your computer to use them, acting as a gateway to being comfortable with managing music on your computer. There's no product for the TV with movies that behaves similarly.

Of course digital downloads are the future, and Blu-ray will eventually wane in importance, but there's plenty of time where Blu-ray will dominate the high-def market. All the reasons above speak to why the transition away from a physical format will be slower for video than it was for audio, and physical sales still dominate in audio. And those are just the consumer demand reasons, ignoring the technical reasons.

[Tennistoad]

This is great news.. I got my a2 for $98 bucks and now I'll get some cheap movies. Hd-dvd is awesome. And this format will take a while to totally die out. remember This Technology is region free. And we all know you can order imports. Thanks Ebay!

Plus when hd-dvd is totally dead blue-ray players should be at the magic $98 price point also. If your on the fence to buy a player buying Hd-dvd right now is not that bad of a deal. for only $130 dollars you get one of the best upconverting dvd players plus Hd-dvd support. by the time hd dies you'll be able to get a dirt cheap blue ray player. Win Win for everyone.

wow I'm all over the place..

[biosc1]

Where's the Canadian deals? I really want some of these movies.

Honestly, just buy through Amazon.com. I ordered the Bourne Trilogy for $48 versus $35 for just one of the Bourne movies up here. The dollar is so strong, that it's worth it.

They ship up here and they ship quickly.

[Virtuoso]

Ultimately, both formats are going to lose.
Hell, you could argue they've already lost -- digital downloads are embarrassing this little format war.

Im about 100% sure this is just blatantly untrue.

And too many people prefer a hard copy format for movies, which are much larger purchases than a single song. While the digital download service is a viable purchase for what are small files and purchases, with HD movies I somehow don't think this is the case. Hell, cable internet service maxes out at 12Mb/s, and probably less than 15% of people subscribing to high speed cable service even have it.

[sticky]

This isn't a bad thing. I get to buy a bunch of cheap HD-DVDs. Since I will have to switch to blu ray eventually, I will get a player that plays both. Problem solved.

[31 Flavas]

After being trounced at CES this year with Warner jumping ship, and numbers heavily favoring Blu-Ray, Toshiba and the HD DVD group have started agressive pricing and discounts, or as I like to call it; A Fire Sale.

[...]

Last chance to solidify your HD DVD collection before the end?If there is any solubility to ANY hi-def format, this is where we'll find out.

Hi-def either catches on now or it languishes until it is replaced by another format or digital distribution completely.

[DarkDaY]

Im thinking of picking up an hd dvd player if it hits 100 dollars up here in Canada,
There a shit ton of movies I would love to own, I like everything I hear and at that price and if the movies themselves drop then there are still more movies I could ever afford.

Ill have my ps3 soon, so this way I win.