Universal cuts HD DVD prices, announces two combo HD DVD/DVDs
by Richard Lawler 
posted Jun 13th 2006 at 5:52PM
Call it the Blu-ray effect. With the other high definition DVD format set to release in a few days, Universal is dropping prices on all their HD DVD releases from $34.95 to $29.95. Since retailers rarely sell the movies for the actual MSRP, we'll see what this translates to on store shelves and if when Blu-ray launches, it is actually cheaper than HD DVD.In the second bit of Universal HD DVD news, also from High Def DVD Digest, they are following Warner Bros. lead and releasing hybrid HD DVD/DVD discs. Their first releases on the format will be National Lampoon's Animal House and Unleashed. They will continue to be listed at $34.95. Looks like competition is benefiting the consumer already. We'll be a little happier when we see price drops on the hardware and more content available however. Also, will Warner drop the prices on their movies, and what about Paramount's indefinitely delayed titles?
Read - Universal cuts prices on HD DVD
Read - Universal schedules two combo HD DVD/DVD movies
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Perrey Z. @ Jun 13th 2006 6:56PM
Nothing new here. I saw the Blu-Ray catalog and 6 out of the first 10-titles are price at $24.95 each., which is below the new lower price for NBC/Universal's HDDVDs.
Dave @ Jun 13th 2006 7:47PM
Interesting. Is that the final price, Perrey? Any chance they'll raise them once the actual hardware is released or is the price listed final? I suspect that, even if they do release them at that price, HD-DVD will follow. I suspect they're only able to charge a higher price for HD-DVD is because, at the moment, they're the only game in town.
Efrain @ Jun 13th 2006 9:51PM
I believe that Universal won't be dropping the price of their May-July titles until August 8th, a month and a half after release of Blu-Ray.
Dave @ Jun 14th 2006 12:31AM
Wasn't it just announced that the BD-P1000 isn’t going to be released until September and the BDP-S1 won't be released until August? Is there another player slated for release before that?
Richard Lawler @ Jun 14th 2006 12:58AM
Dave - No it wasn't. The samsung player was only delayed in Europe, and the Sony delay to August we posted about back in April. Some misinformation has been spreading around a few sites, but Samsung confirmed to Engadget yesterday that the BD-P1000 is on track to ship on the 25th.
Dave @ Jun 14th 2006 2:08AM
Great news! I can't wait until this format war is over. Anyone taking bets on how long it will take for that to happen?
Neal Saferstein @ Jun 14th 2006 2:10AM
Interesting. Is that the final pric?
Neal Saferstein