According to an article recently posted on Daily Tech, Wal-Mart is advertising that it will sell the Toshiba HD-A2 this Friday for $98.87.
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Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Player drops below $100
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Best Buy also is selling them for $99.99, which includes 7 free HD discs! I think I may now officially be "off-the-fence."
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8323325814
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8323325814
It would seem on the surface that Toshiba 2nd gen sales were not as expected and there is plenty of product that needs to get moved out of inventory for the 3rd gen players hitting the stores now. At this price you gotta be talking fire sale!
If you are thinking cheap you can get a Sony PS3 for $400, one of these fire sale players for $100 and be at a total of $500 for both HD disc formats. While that isn't the best performance package few of us are performance enthusiasts and nearly all casual viewers will be more than satisfied.
This is not going to bode well either for the LG or Samsung HD disc combos still at $800 plus and the Samsung has yet to arrive...
If you are thinking cheap you can get a Sony PS3 for $400, one of these fire sale players for $100 and be at a total of $500 for both HD disc formats. While that isn't the best performance package few of us are performance enthusiasts and nearly all casual viewers will be more than satisfied.
This is not going to bode well either for the LG or Samsung HD disc combos still at $800 plus and the Samsung has yet to arrive...
It would seem on the surface that Toshiba 2nd gen sales were not as expected and there is plenty of product that needs to get moved out of inventory for the 3rd gen players hitting the stores now. At this price you gotta be talking fire sale!
Not really, as this has been the goal for some time.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/carroll/?p=1683
Not really, as this has been the goal for some time.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/carroll/?p=1683
Not sure what to make of that... Has either camp sold 2 mil of anything?
2 mil units of a 2nd gen product that is being replaced NOW? How many did Best Buy make a deal on? Is Toshiba still producing 2nd gen players? That does not make sense as they are tooled and inventoried for 3rd gen now. Per the other article these would be sold in limited quantities until gone.
2 mil units of a 2nd gen product that is being replaced NOW? How many did Best Buy make a deal on? Is Toshiba still producing 2nd gen players? That does not make sense as they are tooled and inventoried for 3rd gen now. Per the other article these would be sold in limited quantities until gone.
I'll swing by my local Wal-mart tomorrow morning and report quantity on hand.
- Shane
- Shane
This Best Buy link doesn't work. Anyone got the correct link?
This Best Buy link doesn't work. Anyone got the correct link?
It was removed as they seem to be sold out nationwide. Below is a linkfor the BBforB site. Although it states the A2 is no longer available, some have reported that phone orders have been taken. Whether they have any to actually ship out is another story.
http://www.bestbuybusiness.com/bbfb/en/ ... BB10724640
It was removed as they seem to be sold out nationwide. Below is a linkfor the BBforB site. Although it states the A2 is no longer available, some have reported that phone orders have been taken. Whether they have any to actually ship out is another story.
http://www.bestbuybusiness.com/bbfb/en/ ... BB10724640
I swung by two Wal-Marts. I missed the last one by 5 minutes. Had i gone to the second Wal-Mart I would've scored one for the bedroom. I did score one online. (That deal is now gone, too.)
Best Buy has a sale on the A3. I'm not sure what the rules are as far as publishing that.
Shane, I'm sure you're hoping to go neutral and are hoping one of the Blu-ray players will drop to $200 soon.
Best Buy has a sale on the A3. I'm not sure what the rules are as far as publishing that.
Shane, I'm sure you're hoping to go neutral and are hoping one of the Blu-ray players will drop to $200 soon.
Do any of these do 1080i over component? What about the PS3 Blu-Ray player?
Do any of these do 1080i over component? What about the PS3 Blu-Ray player?
Yes, they will play HD-DVD movies at 1080i over componenent. However, they will not upconvert standard definition DVD's to 1080i over component. Playback of SD DVD's is limited to 480p.
Yes, they will play HD-DVD movies at 1080i over componenent. However, they will not upconvert standard definition DVD's to 1080i over component. Playback of SD DVD's is limited to 480p.
I swung by my local Wal-mart this morning to check it out. I got there about 7:45 and there were about 25 people in line. I hung around until they started wheeling out the skids and asked one of the blue-shirts there how many they had. They had a whole pallet, which from what I can tell is 30-50 players. I didn't stick around to buy one, or to see how many in the line were buying one.
Shane, I'm sure you're hoping to go neutral and are hoping one of the Blu-ray players will drop to $200 soon.
Since you asked, I am pro HD DVD. I've had the Xbox 360 add-on drive since it came out. I'm not planning on buying a Blu-ray player until they have a unit that is up to par with what the HD DVD players can do in terms of features, functions and upgradability. Right now, the PS3 is the closest to that ... but there's nothing too compelling out there on the content side (movies or games) to make me want to spend $400-$500 dollars on one.
Why do I like HD DVD? Stay tuned to find out ;-)
- Shane
Shane, I'm sure you're hoping to go neutral and are hoping one of the Blu-ray players will drop to $200 soon.
Since you asked, I am pro HD DVD. I've had the Xbox 360 add-on drive since it came out. I'm not planning on buying a Blu-ray player until they have a unit that is up to par with what the HD DVD players can do in terms of features, functions and upgradability. Right now, the PS3 is the closest to that ... but there's nothing too compelling out there on the content side (movies or games) to make me want to spend $400-$500 dollars on one.
Why do I like HD DVD? Stay tuned to find out ;-)
- Shane
Saw the ad on the Wal-Mart homepage about 7am this morning, got there by 7:50. There were a dozen people in a quiet line back in electronics - half waiting for an Acer laptop for about $340, and the rest wanting a Toshiba HD DVD player for a bit less than $99. No limit on quantity - a couple people bought two units. HD DVD discs were also on sale (a small selection of titles) for less than $15. They also had 50" Plasma HDTVs for $999.
Had my Toshiba home and hooked up within 30 minutes to my Sony 55" LCD 1080i hdtv. Absolutely fabulous picture and great sound!
I would never have bought one of these except for the low price. The selection of movies available that can really show off the player is quite limited. But...for less that $99 - WOW!
Had my Toshiba home and hooked up within 30 minutes to my Sony 55" LCD 1080i hdtv. Absolutely fabulous picture and great sound!
I would never have bought one of these except for the low price. The selection of movies available that can really show off the player is quite limited. But...for less that $99 - WOW!
The selection of movies available that can really show off the player is quite limited. But...for less that $99 - WOW!
Limited? Maybe at Wal-Mart, but here are some of the available titles:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=692850
Limited? Maybe at Wal-Mart, but here are some of the available titles:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=692850
Our local walmart is selling brand new toshiba hd a2 dvd players for 99.95. they are limiting one per customer.
FYI We just released a new HD DVD title, "Discoveries...
America Music, Sunrise/Sunset"...52 minutes of spectacular sunrises & sunsets around the USA accompanied by the musical wizardry of composer & Steinway artist Gary Jess.
We included a printed list of music titles, plus there's a complete list of the locations so you can have a little quiz with friends on where a specific sunrise or sunset was filmed.
We'll also have the entire 51 hour collection of "Discoveries...America" out on HD DVD in another few weeks as soon as Create Space gets them encoded. We encoded the Sunrise/Sunset title ourselves. Also available in HD DVD is "Discoveries...Argentina, Patagonia".
We don't have them on our website yet, but drop me an email, [email protected]. They're $29.95 each plus shipping & handling.
America Music, Sunrise/Sunset"...52 minutes of spectacular sunrises & sunsets around the USA accompanied by the musical wizardry of composer & Steinway artist Gary Jess.
We included a printed list of music titles, plus there's a complete list of the locations so you can have a little quiz with friends on where a specific sunrise or sunset was filmed.
We'll also have the entire 51 hour collection of "Discoveries...America" out on HD DVD in another few weeks as soon as Create Space gets them encoded. We encoded the Sunrise/Sunset title ourselves. Also available in HD DVD is "Discoveries...Argentina, Patagonia".
We don't have them on our website yet, but drop me an email, [email protected]. They're $29.95 each plus shipping & handling.
The HDTV magazine announcement that Wal-Mart would 'have Toshiba HD A2
HD DVD players for less than $100"....(I think $98 was the quoted price) "Friday" was a myth. I was in the store both Friday and Saturday. No Toshiba HD players of any model or any price. What did I miss in this announcement?
HD DVD players for less than $100"....(I think $98 was the quoted price) "Friday" was a myth. I was in the store both Friday and Saturday. No Toshiba HD players of any model or any price. What did I miss in this announcement?
It was not a myth. Aside from being posted on Wal-mart's own website, I went to my local Wal-mart the morning of and saw them myself, along with a line of 25 or so waiting to get one.
This was a Friday-only special, and went from 8am to 8pm, or until sold out. Chances are that if you weren't there by 8am standing in line, there were probably none left.
- Shane
This was a Friday-only special, and went from 8am to 8pm, or until sold out. Chances are that if you weren't there by 8am standing in line, there were probably none left.
- Shane
The HDTV magazine announcement that Wal-Mart would 'have Toshiba HD A2
HD DVD players for less than $100"....(I think $98 was the quoted price) "Friday" was a myth. I was in the store both Friday and Saturday. No Toshiba HD players of any model or any price. What did I miss in this announcement?
Definitely not a myth--I picked one of 'em up Friday. My local store only had about a dozen. Although they don't do 1080P, still a great deal.
HD DVD players for less than $100"....(I think $98 was the quoted price) "Friday" was a myth. I was in the store both Friday and Saturday. No Toshiba HD players of any model or any price. What did I miss in this announcement?
Definitely not a myth--I picked one of 'em up Friday. My local store only had about a dozen. Although they don't do 1080P, still a great deal.
I went to our local wal-mart at 7am on friday to wait, but the clerk let me buy it for the price the scanner recorded $98.87. Our wal-mart had none of the 3 hd disks on sale. They were not delivered to the store I was told.
Black Friday web site has the Toshiba Form to send in for 5 free hd disks.
Bob
Black Friday web site has the Toshiba Form to send in for 5 free hd disks.
Bob
I was able to snag a Toshiba HD A3 for $199.99 at Best Buy. Took box to checkout and it rung up as $299.99. Cashier said that was the price since computer is set to price. I told cashier display price tag was $199.00. He called manager...manager and I walked over to shelf where only one remained...I had the other at the cash register. Manager took $199.99 sign down...after reading it very carefully...I walked out with the A3 for $199.99. I am now a happy camper.
The real question is.. how many of these WalMarts that sold the HD-DVD A2's will have movies like Shreik 3 on HD-DVD for sale this coming week?
--David
--David
I order one from BB Business last week and it was back ordered. They have decided to upgrade my order to the A3 for the same price. A3 for just over $100 = happier camper, no matter what format wins.
Our walmart sold out of them in less than a day. They had 10 of them left when I saw then in the am and that night, they were all gone.
You get what you pay for. It's 1080i and won't upconvert standard DVD's. But a good price if you want to get a few more miles out of an older 1080i system.
You get what you pay for. It's 1080i and won't upconvert standard DVD's. But a good price if you want to get a few more miles out of an older 1080i system.
Most HDTV's sold and in the wild are not 1080p capable. The bulk of flat panels are 768p. BTW, 1080i60 is the same as 1080p on any *GOOD* 1080p60 set. 1080p is only necessary for the like two percent of displays that can actually do 1080p24 at a 3:3, 4:4: or 5:5 candence. (e.g., 72Hz, 96Hz or 120Hz.) Moreover, the A2 and A3 *WILL* upconvert SD DVD's to 1080i.
Most HDTV's sold and in the wild are not 1080p capable. The bulk of flat panels are 768p. BTW, 1080i60 is the same as 1080p on any *GOOD* 1080p60 set. 1080p is only necessary for the like two percent of displays that can actually do 1080p24 at a 3:3, 4:4: or 5:5 candence. (e.g., 72Hz, 96Hz or 120Hz.) Moreover, the A2 and A3 *WILL* upconvert SD DVD's to 1080i.
I edited that post to correct the information about the upconversion. WalMart and Toshiba specs are in conflict. Somehow it never got in there. I think that they are having server problems (or updating their software) as 1/2 the links are dead tonight.
I am not so sure that I agree with your assessment of 1080p.
See: http://movies.consumerelectronicsnet.co ... ?id=205040
I am not so sure that I agree with your assessment of 1080p.
See: http://movies.consumerelectronicsnet.co ... ?id=205040
I am not so sure that I agree with your assessment of 1080p.
See: http://movies.consumerelectronicsnet.co ... ?id=205040
We can agree to disagree. My interpretation of your link is that 1080p displays are taking over current sales. However, I am talking about the installed base of 768p displays. Moreover, I am saying is that for any 1080p60 TV that deinterlaces properly, there should be no difference between 1080i and 1080p.
http://www.hometheatermag.com/gearworks/1106gear/
The reason why I'm staunchly replying is because I've seen way too many people on the 'net pickin on this $99 player as not being 1080p, etc., etc. I'm saying it makes no difference except for the small percentage of displays that can display a natural multiple of 1080p24. If ever you're in Austin, drop me a line. We can debate this over a beer (my treat).
Moving slightly off topic..
I have to agree with "allargon" as many manufactures even miss-advertised sets as being "1080p" displays.
Yet these sets 'Native' resolution is only 720p.. so are you sure that set you have really a 1080p set or just a set that will display a 1080p signal?
If it was not worth it I would be suing a major manufacture and retailer for mis-advertising my 42" Plasma as it was advertised as a 1080p set, and no where did it say that it was 'Native 720p' but could display a 1080p signal.... Till I wrote the manufacture about proper setting to match my A20's new 24f setting... when they informed me that none of their plasma line sold before 9/1/07 had a native resolution of 1080i/p.
--David
I have to agree with "allargon" as many manufactures even miss-advertised sets as being "1080p" displays.
Yet these sets 'Native' resolution is only 720p.. so are you sure that set you have really a 1080p set or just a set that will display a 1080p signal?
If it was not worth it I would be suing a major manufacture and retailer for mis-advertising my 42" Plasma as it was advertised as a 1080p set, and no where did it say that it was 'Native 720p' but could display a 1080p signal.... Till I wrote the manufacture about proper setting to match my A20's new 24f setting... when they informed me that none of their plasma line sold before 9/1/07 had a native resolution of 1080i/p.
--David
The market determines the direction for the manufacturers - not the other way around, so whatever is selling is what will become the standard. As I recur, that is what happened to Beta VHS, even though it was superior to VHS.
As far as misadvertising goes, it's always been a murky world between fact and fiction. The audio people started this years ago with RMS vs. Peak power specs for amplifiers (with many other creative ways of displaying specs to be incomprehensible to all but those with EE's -and even some of them were confused).
Back to Video: To lesson my own confusion I always refer back to the original manufacturers specs (not that it's any guarantee).
As long as I have been a member here there had always been concern about stepping backwards. EDTV was one issue, when Fox decided to broadcast in 720p many were concerned that this would become a broadcasting standard. For a while there it seemed to make sense due to motion artifacts, etc.
The Big Box and mass retailers are always on the lookout for last years and slow moving models so they can offer "perceived" bargains for their purchasers, which is perfectly fine as long as you know what you are getting into, hence my original post on "you get what you pay for". Ir was not my intention to "dis" Toshiba or the model, just to alert those few who have spent the money on the top end gear that there are limitations with this piece of equipment and they should carefully consider this. The old saying that "if it seems to be too good to be true, then it probably isn't" still holds some water here. For others it's a non-issue. I am not agreeing or disagreeing, nor am I trying to start a debate (or flame war as they used to call it back in the old days).
As far as my own experience, I own a Panasonic native 1080i set (crt, direct view - purchased in 2001) and a Panasonic native 1080p plasma (which I am sure of) and I can see a noticeable difference in picture quality.
Picture quality has always been my personal benchmark for purchasing decisions. Cost is secondary. I know that for many it is the reverse and that's ok too.
I don't take ownership of any of the data on that link That was based on a Google search of statistics for 1080p sales. Shane or Dale will probably have a better idea of the reality of it.
I'll have to pass on that beer (I gave up drinking many years ago and tonsil cancer sealed the deal) but I'll take you up on a Pelligrino.
As far as misadvertising goes, it's always been a murky world between fact and fiction. The audio people started this years ago with RMS vs. Peak power specs for amplifiers (with many other creative ways of displaying specs to be incomprehensible to all but those with EE's -and even some of them were confused).
Back to Video: To lesson my own confusion I always refer back to the original manufacturers specs (not that it's any guarantee).
As long as I have been a member here there had always been concern about stepping backwards. EDTV was one issue, when Fox decided to broadcast in 720p many were concerned that this would become a broadcasting standard. For a while there it seemed to make sense due to motion artifacts, etc.
The Big Box and mass retailers are always on the lookout for last years and slow moving models so they can offer "perceived" bargains for their purchasers, which is perfectly fine as long as you know what you are getting into, hence my original post on "you get what you pay for". Ir was not my intention to "dis" Toshiba or the model, just to alert those few who have spent the money on the top end gear that there are limitations with this piece of equipment and they should carefully consider this. The old saying that "if it seems to be too good to be true, then it probably isn't" still holds some water here. For others it's a non-issue. I am not agreeing or disagreeing, nor am I trying to start a debate (or flame war as they used to call it back in the old days).
As far as my own experience, I own a Panasonic native 1080i set (crt, direct view - purchased in 2001) and a Panasonic native 1080p plasma (which I am sure of) and I can see a noticeable difference in picture quality.
Picture quality has always been my personal benchmark for purchasing decisions. Cost is secondary. I know that for many it is the reverse and that's ok too.
I don't take ownership of any of the data on that link That was based on a Google search of statistics for 1080p sales. Shane or Dale will probably have a better idea of the reality of it.
I'll have to pass on that beer (I gave up drinking many years ago and tonsil cancer sealed the deal) but I'll take you up on a Pelligrino.