I think these price drops are one last drop of desperation for Toshiba. They have to be loss-leading these players, and Microsoft is probably heavily subsidizing them. Part of the reason the manufacturers and studios wanted a high def format was to make back some margin on hardware and software(there's almost none in standard DVD anymore). This is why no one but Toshiba is putting out stand-alone HD DVD players right now. Why would they go with HD DVD when they have to compete with Toshiba selling players at a loss? There's a little bit more margin in Blu-ray at least (for now). And why would studios go to HD DVD when the BD discs still outsell HD 2:1? Granted, if the install base gets big enough that could encourage a studio or two to switch side, but I don't see Disney or Fox wavering at this point. And I think we all know that Sony would be the last studio to publish in HD DVD (if ever). I see Universal publishing on Blu-ray before I ever see any of those studios on HD DVD.
I can't see even spending $100 on an HD DVD player unless you a) Don't have an upconvert player already or b) more studios start switching over to the HD side. I think when Sony's Blu-ray Player hits $299 this Christmas, you'll really see the end of HD DVD. Yes, it's more expensive than Toshiba's Player, but I'd rather spend a little extra for 1080p and a larger catalog (and potential catalog) of titles.
One benefit of this high def war: It's driving the hardware prices of both formats down ridiculously fast. For everyone but early adopters, this is only a good thing for consumers, once there's one true high def format crowned.
You're forgetting that replication costs for HD DVD are much lower. HD DVD doesn't require AACS protection with BD it's mandatory. HD DVD is region free (which is nice for the customer, buy one in Japan, play one in Scotland). HDi is much simpeler then BD-J and less time expensive.
Blu-ray has also many advantages over HD DVD like more disc space and exclusive support from several large movie studios.
Personally I like both formats since they basically do the same thing and quallity is almost the same. Just hope more and cheaper players come out soon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TJ @ Jun 11th 2007 10:28AM
I think these price drops are one last drop of desperation for Toshiba. They have to be loss-leading these players, and Microsoft is probably heavily subsidizing them. Part of the reason the manufacturers and studios wanted a high def format was to make back some margin on hardware and software(there's almost none in standard DVD anymore). This is why no one but Toshiba is putting out stand-alone HD DVD players right now. Why would they go with HD DVD when they have to compete with Toshiba selling players at a loss? There's a little bit more margin in Blu-ray at least (for now). And why would studios go to HD DVD when the BD discs still outsell HD 2:1? Granted, if the install base gets big enough that could encourage a studio or two to switch side, but I don't see Disney or Fox wavering at this point. And I think we all know that Sony would be the last studio to publish in HD DVD (if ever). I see Universal publishing on Blu-ray before I ever see any of those studios on HD DVD.
I can't see even spending $100 on an HD DVD player unless you a) Don't have an upconvert player already or b) more studios start switching over to the HD side. I think when Sony's Blu-ray Player hits $299 this Christmas, you'll really see the end of HD DVD. Yes, it's more expensive than Toshiba's Player, but I'd rather spend a little extra for 1080p and a larger catalog (and potential catalog) of titles.
One benefit of this high def war: It's driving the hardware prices of both formats down ridiculously fast. For everyone but early adopters, this is only a good thing for consumers, once there's one true high def format crowned.
Jacco @ Jun 11th 2007 10:56AM
You're forgetting that replication costs for HD DVD are much lower. HD DVD doesn't require AACS protection with BD it's mandatory. HD DVD is region free (which is nice for the customer, buy one in Japan, play one in Scotland). HDi is much simpeler then BD-J and less time expensive.
Blu-ray has also many advantages over HD DVD like more disc space and exclusive support from several large movie studios.
Personally I like both formats since they basically do the same thing and quallity is almost the same. Just hope more and cheaper players come out soon.