Toshiba Deploys New HD DVD Marketing Initiatives Based on Strong Fourth Quarter Unit Sales

Post by **Shane** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:30 am

Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. ("Toshiba") today announced that it is stepping up its successful marketing campaign for HD DVD as it experienced record-breaking unit sales in the fourth quarter of 2007. Major initiatives, including joint advertising campaigns with studios and extended pricing strategies will begin in mid- January and are designed to spotlight the superior benefits of HD DVD as well as the benefits HD DVD brings to a consumer's current DVD library by upconverting standard DVDs via the HDMI(TM) output to near high definition picture quality.

As Toshiba achieved the #1 sales volume in the next generation DVD category with...

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2008/01/toshiba_deploys_new_hd_dvd_marketing_initiatives_based_on_strong_fourth_quarter_unit_sales.php]Read the Full Article[/url]

regman · Post by **regman** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:20 am

Sounds like the last gasp to me! I have to admit though I don't remember Sony practically giving away their Betamax players in the end. They practically pay YOU to buy standard DVD players these days. I'm one of the lucky ones - I have 5 HDMI ports - 3 on the receiver and 2 on the monitor so if HD DVD does survive I'll probably get one.

Am I the only one out there who thinks that there are probably only a couple dozen movies that are worth purchasing anyway? I used to collect VHS tapes and amassed a huge library (which I hardly ever watch) - like who has time.? I barely have time to watch the shows I record on my DVR(s).

I heard that Apple is going to put Blu-ray in their Macbooks. Here we go...

aaronstout · Post by **aaronstout** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:26 pm

I agree. Despite their last ditch effort to sell their existing products, it just doesn't make sense to buy into a format with such little studio support now. Unless they can change that dynamic and soon, it looks like the end of the line for HD DVD. I couldn't in all clear conscious recommend HD DVD to any of my friends or family at this point in time. It was close up until the Warner announcement, but let's get real...

AaronS

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:14 pm

You can if content is their desire. Both camps retain exclusives on titles for the short haul at least and who knows when and if any of the other HD DVDs will be released again in blu-ray...

regman · Post by **regman** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:23 pm

If I was a betting man I would place my money on Blu-ray just because, in the world of technology, bigger is ALWAYS better. Until a new technology comes along to replace it (like VLSI large memory flashroms or something) they (the DVD manufaturers) will just upgrade their manufacturing equipment and pass the cost on to the consumers, much like they did with the first CD's. Remember when they transistioned from vinyl and record (CD) costs doubled?!?

This Apple TV thing is looking pretty interesting. I still maintain that inevitable elimination of the (removable) media is a foregone conclusion - it's not a matter of "if" but "when". Once they have fiber optic (FIOS drops into the home) the sky will be the limit. Frankly I am tired of storing all of this media crap anyway. I hate the idea of buying the same content over and over in different formats. These are awfully expensive razor blades.

Sony "bought it" with the MD too you know. I have a major investment in minidisk recorders/players (Denon, etc.) and now they are boat anchors. You have to win sometimes.

And just what happened to SACD and DTS cd's anyway? Are they even still available?

I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if Toshiba hasn't already bought a license to manufacturer Blu-ray equipment...

I spent a ton of money, as an early adopter, but have enjoyed every minute of HD content - how can you put a price on that?

I had a Comcast rep tell me that they are about to launch 1,000 HD channels! (I'll believe that when I see it - Technologically speaking I don't know how they can do that many channels on an RG6 cable unless they have some sort of exotic multiplexing scheme)

Post by **Shane** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:32 pm

regman wrote:This Apple TV thing is looking pretty interesting.

Interesting, yes ... but it won't cut it if it's only 720p. There are too many other better looking competitors on the market, or coming to market soon.

regman wrote:I still maintain that inevitable elimination of the (removable) media is a foregone conclusion - it's not a matter of "if" but "when".

A concept I am agreeing with more and more every day.

regman wrote:I had a Comcast rep tell me that they are about to launch 1,000 HD channels! (I'll believe that when I see it.

Read that ad again ... it's actually 1,000 HD "Choices" ... they are counting individual VOD and PPV movies each as a "choice".

- Shane

griffinw2 · Post by **griffinw2** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:27 pm

Shane wrote: Interesting, yes ... but it won't cut it if it's only 720p. There are too many other better looking competitors on the market, or coming to market soon.

- Shane

I have an AppleTV. It has an output selection for 1080i and will sync up at 1080i on my Mitsubishi 65809 DTV input. I think the software only supports up to 720P content.

Post by **Shane** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:05 pm

There's actually a setting there for 1920x1080p - 60Hz, and I've verified that my TV is receiving the same.

But the AppleTV spec page still lists 720p as the max resolution under "video formats supported":
http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html

I suppose we'll have to wait and see

- Shane

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:54 pm

The fact that you can get a 1080i output does not mean the content isn't native 720p... If Apple wants to be fully compatible with all HDTVs they would need to support the 1080i scan rate for legacy products.

Post by **Shane** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:18 pm

My point was that the device is clearly capable of 1080p output ... now, will they give us the content?

- Shane