HD DVD players hit $99 at Wal-Mart, Best Buy
(Credit:
Wal-Mart)
Earlier this week it was big news that HD DVD broke the $200 price barrier. Well, in the same week it looks like HD DVD has broken the $100 price barrier as well. As previously reported, Wal-Mart is running a "Secret In-Store Specials" sale this Friday and one of the heavily discounted items is the Toshiba HD-A2 selling for $98.87. Of course, this isn't a true price drop, as the sale is only good as long quantities last and the Toshiba HD-A2 won't be available at all Wal-Mart locations. On the other hand, it is representative of HD DVD's significant advantage in hardware pricing -- the least expensive Blu-ray player is the $400 PlayStation 3, which also hits stores tomorrow.
The $99 price tag is sweet, but the deal is even better than that. Toshiba continues to give away five free movies to anyone that buys an HD DVD player--all you need to do is fill out this form (PDF link) and mail it in. If you're not thrilled about Toshiba's selection of free movies (we're not either), Wal-Mart is also running on a sale on HD DVD movies tomorrow, priced at $14.96 each. That's a pretty significant discount, as most of the HD DVDs we saw at Amazon were priced from $20 to $30.
Not to be outdone, it also looks as if Best Buy is selling the Toshiba HD-A2 for $99 as well. You can't order from Best Buy online, but it seems like if you get to your local Best Buy before they run out of stock, you can nab an HD-A2 for $99.
It remains to be seen whether these rock-bottom prices are the result of retailers blowing out extra inventory or a sign of continually falling prices for HD DVD. Technically, the HD-A2 has already been replaced by the new Toshiba HD-A3 which still costs $250 at Best Buy (and isn't sold at Wal-Mart). Either way, this is a great deal for high-def movie fans who can get their hands on one of these $99 players.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8021767&st=hd-a2&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1158323325814
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/best-buy-offers-the-toshiba-hd-a2-for-100-too-and-other-hd-dv/
Anyway, no sour grapes here but this whole thing smacks of desperation to me. The Blu-Ray camp is doing just fine with their players all priced at $400 and above, so the HD side's last-ditch move is to slash prices enough to get the hardware in as many homes as possible.
Or, to put it in high school terms, the most popular guy in school is usually not the one paying girls to date him.
HD-DVD has hit the sweet spot pricing at just the right time to build enough buzz to send it well into 2008...people are soooo going to buy this $99 player for their living rooms, their loved ones, and the HD DVD movies as stock stuffers.
Bluray owners should be very uncomfortable right now.
-Ryan
http://rygo.net
Walk into a wal-mart OK?
People think because wal-mart might sell 50,000 HD-DVD payers like that will make a differnce. How many PS3s are going to be sold betwen now and x-mas at wal-marts? more than 50,000.
Its like this is the worst advertised sale ever - there is a small poster in the front of the store that says there will be great prices on these items at 8am tomorrow, then has pictures - no prices, so there might not be a mad rush to get the units and there might be, it just depends on local word of mouth I guess
http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/toshiba-hd-a2/4505-6463_7-32074340.html?tag=prod.txt.1
Remember, Best Buy and Circuit City are price matching as well.
All I have to say (be it Toshiba/Sony/etc.) is watch out on this first "mega shipment." I remember when the Apex DVD players swarmed the stores and I cannot emphasize how much they sucked. It was the same with the Aiwa 3 disc cd mini systems. I literally processes at least 300 Apex units by myself no B.S.
The $99 price tag will hook all of the "everyday customers" who dont even fricking know what HD DVD or Blu-ray is, then they'll be pissed either when 1) one of these formats gets ditched or has low content amts. or 2)they realize that the movies they want are on the other format. Some of these customers will just buy it on regular DVD and deal with it, but most will throw a fit and bring it back.
You have to trust the claims guy! I've seen this happen time & time again. Not only on electronics, but toys, etc. as well. Remember Tickle Me Elmo anyone???
-Cheers
BG
Oh
My
God
What
The
****
BBQ?
I dont get it...someone please esplain
No it doesn't do 1080p so is even more useless.
Yes Bluray pricing will be coming down, probably to $299 for the Holidays.
And why does everyone keep saying 1080i is worthless? The vast majority of HDTVs that are sold and that are already in people's homes are either 720p or 1080i! We don't all need 1080p.
- So what if it may break? Its only $100 bucks!!!
- by planblove November 2, 2007 1:12 PM PDT
- Seriously this is a great deal. Some regular upconversion dvd players go for more than this. I just got one about an hour ago, the store had about 7 left. Honestly, if something were to happen to mine I really won't care that much. and the whole 1080p thing is something else I don't care about. for $100 how much do expect this thing to do? its a great deal, take it or leave it.
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