Picture this: an HD DVD fan's ultimate nightmare.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Today's Wall Street Journal has an interview with Atsutoshi Nishida, Toshiba's chief executive, that's kind of interesting for what it doesn't say. The article's headline is "Toshiba's Plan for Life After HD DVD" and the Q&A appears in the "Boss Talk" column, which seems to put executives in a warm seat rather than a hot seat. By that I mean there are a couple of hard-hitting questions ("Isn't the loss of the format war a blow to Toshiba's strategy?), but after you're through with the piece, you get the feeling that the interviewer, Yukari Iwatani Kane, really let Mr. Nishida off the hook.
Personally, I don't really care how Mr. Nishida spends his free time, but I am kind of curious what his thought process was when he decided to go to war with Sony. If you remember, over a year ago there was actually a moment when Toshiba and Sony were in negotiations to settle, but in the end they just couldn't come to an agreement on a unified format. I would have asked Mr. Nishida whether he regrets not making a deal earlier--and why he thought he could win in the first place. I also would have inquired what his plans were for a standalone Toshiba Blu-ray player. I mean, if you're going to ask him what Toshiba's plans are for life after HD DVD, you've got to ask if a Blu-ray player is in the works--especially a BD-Rom drive for Toshiba's laptops. Make him answer the question, right?
Well, without having the question asked, Mr. Nishida did answer in so many words that no Blu-ray player was imminent. He basically said that Toshiba would combat Blu-ray by selling upconverting DVD players that would cost less than Blu-ray players and be just as good. The exact quote: "And we're going to improve this [upconverting feature] even more, so that consumers won't be able to tell the difference from HD DVD images." That so? Well, what was the point of the war in the first place then? Jeez, Louise.
Anyway, I don't expect to see a Toshiba Blu-ray player in 2008, but Toshiba may change its tune in 2009. What do you guys think? Can Sony and Blu-ray be beat by cheaper upconverting players? Is DVD still the future?
Toshiba AC adapter model number ADPV16
(Credit: CPSC)Toshiba's U.S. subsidiary is recalling 142,000 AC adapters sold with the company's portable DVD players, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Tuesday. The adapters can fail, causing the portable DVD player to overheat and posing a burn hazard to consumers.
The voluntary recall involves the ADPV16 AC adapter sold with Toshiba's SD-P1600 portable players. The gadgets were sold in consumer electronics stores nationwide from January 2005 through April 2006 for between $200 and $230.
Toshiba has received two reports of minor damage to the bottom of the DVD player, according to the CPSC, which also says that no injuries have been reported.
Consumers are being urged to stop using the AC adapters immediately and to contact Toshiba Customer Solutions for a replacement adapter.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
Update at 2:09 pm, August 24, 2007--Sorry, folks, but almost as soon as we posted this Deal, the seller ran out of stock. If you still have a hankering, try CNET Reviews' price comparison feature here.
We've seen the Xbox 360 HD-DVD player listed at close to $200, so we're happy to find it offered for quite a bit less.
The Xbox 360 HD-DVD player is an inexpensive way for 360 owners to get high-def movies. For you gamers who already love your Xbox, just plug in the HD-DVD player and boost your at-home viewing with ultra-sharp images and surround sound.
What: Xbox 360 HD-DVD Player plus six HD-DVD movies
How much: $159.99
Shipping: $9
Where: GoGamer (via LogicBuy )
When: Through unknown date
Click here for CNET product review.
Well that was quick.
Back in February, Sony said the Blu-ray player to be released this summer would sell for $599. On Monday, Sony said the BDP-S300, which is now shipping, will actually sell for $499 instead. The latest version is slimmer than the original, but with many of the same features.
Considering that the original Sony Blu-ray player, the BDP-S1, was released just six months ago for $1,000, that's a pretty swift price drop. Though Sony attributed the price cut to lower production costs and higher demand for the Blu-ray technology, it's also an indication that the HD DVD-versus-Blu-ray battle is just getting started.
Toshiba's HD DVD player is already retailing for less than $300, after its debut at $500.
Down from its debut price of $500, this mid-high-end HD DVD player is offered at a $200 discount at several sellers right now. We did the research for you: read on for a great deal with free shipping. We like this one because Circuit City also posts a rebate for 5 free DVDs to go with your new equipment. Check CNET Reviews (link below) for plenty of details & consumer feedback.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
What: Toshiba HD DVD Player (HDA2)
How much: $299
Shipping: Free
Where: Circuit City (via Dealhack)
When: Through unknown date
Click here for product review.
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