Best Buy offers the Toshiba HD-A2 for $100, too, and other HD DVD deals
by Donald Melanson 
posted Nov 1st 2007 at 3:38PM
Wal-Mart may have been the first to tempt HD-fence-sitters with a $100 HD-A2 player (however limited), but it looks like it's not the only one, with Best Buy now also listing the very same player for the impulse buy-inducing price of $99.99. Of course, it's sold out online, so you may be better off trying your luck at your local store. Not surprisingly, the HD DVD PR folk are keen to talk up this recent spat of price reductions, including the still decent $197 price for the A2 at Circuit City and Amazon, and Sears's Black Friday price of $169 for the newer HD-A3 model, which also comes with two movies bundled in the box (not to mention the five free mail-in movies available with the purchase of any of the players).
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ryan P @ Nov 1st 2007 3:54PM
Anyone have an idea of how many units are getting pushed out? Looks like they sold out pretty quick. I saw these selling for 300 bucks last Friday and people were happy to get them compared to the other options.
Evan @ Nov 2nd 2007 8:30AM
I can't say for certain about Best Buy, but my Wal Mart experience just wrapped up so I can tell you about that.
From the looks of it they had 20 in stock for the 8 AM sale and all 20 were gone by 8:30. I would be shocked if Wal Mart did not sell almost its entire HD-A2 stock today. Also walmart is running some HD DVD's for 15 bucks.
This could be a big day for HD DVD, I will be interested to see the stats.
sycks @ Nov 2nd 2007 9:48AM
I got my HD-DVD player today to sit aside my PS3 from walmart for $98. There were 20 per store that stocked HD-DVD, The selection was still the same 5 rows Blu-ray 3 rows HD-DVD.
However this is more interesting:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Kmart/Kmart:_Were_Purple/1137
domerdel @ Nov 1st 2007 3:58PM
hard to tell though. Best Buy's quantities were slim-pickin's even before this promotion came about. Nobody in Northern California (at least) will be able to capitalize on this.
TeddyN @ Nov 1st 2007 4:15PM
I get the feeling this holiday season will be decisive for the format war and I honestly think it could easily go either way.
HD Tom @ Nov 1st 2007 4:17PM
There was one left in the Saratoga Springs, NY store about two hours ago when I bought mine. I think I was the first to take them up on this today, so it doesn't appear they had that many in stock before they lowered the price. But I got mine, and at this price, at worst I have a good upconverting DVD player should BluRay ultimately win.
Ryan P @ Nov 1st 2007 4:20PM
I heard someone say in a podcast that they had both formats and were looking forward to when one side losses. Then the movies will go for dirt cheap. At that point you have the player so why not stock up on those pirates of the caribbean movies?
Heffer @ Nov 1st 2007 4:30PM
HD DVDs Gone Wild?
I've taken to watching this format war like a sport.
I love how HD DVD is not going down without a fight First, they get Paramount to flip to their side. Rumors of an HD DVD integrated Xbox 360 next year. Now players are being sold for $99?! On top of that you still get 5 free DVDs from Toshiba. Black Friday is coming early this year.
They're smelling blood in the water when the PS3 sales lagged, thus taking advantage of Blu-Rays missed chance at a knock-out blow.
Go! HD DVD! Go!
TexasLawyer @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:53AM
Heffer,
I think you are correct. Sony lost a lot of money in Q2, and they really can't afford any big moves right now if they want to stop the bleeding. I really think Sony has to throw something under a bus or toss some ballast off to the side to pick up speed. I don't know what that is or how it is going down, but I would expect to hear something within the next couple of weeks or they're going to remembered kinda like Sega.
Sony do SOMETHING NOW!!
Joe @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:15AM
actually Sony made quite a bit of cash. It suprised teh heck out of the market considering they lost like 2 billion on the ps3 that they have made 500+ million overall. I'm pretty sure the electronics division and the movies division made the cash.
I'll have to see the shareholder statement to see the details but I was pretty happy as a stockholder.
Jody @ Nov 1st 2007 9:54PM
Looks like CNBC has just about pronounced Blu-Ray dead: http://www.cnbc.com/id/21581845
Jyncus @ Nov 1st 2007 5:18PM
Sad..I had hoped one of the formats would've ultimately won based purely on the format's abilities. Instead, the average consumer who doesn't know any better is going to pick the cheaper and inferior format - only because of toshiba's desperate rock-bottom prices.
Vasisht @ Nov 1st 2007 5:40PM
Can you say VHS vs Betamax? ;-)
800lb Gorilla @ Nov 1st 2007 11:09PM
@Jyncus
Fool, one of this formats abilities is to produce a quality A/V product at a mass market adoption price.
Would you have made that same lame comment if it was a blu ray player?
Michael @ Nov 1st 2007 11:28PM
Yeah, that's exactly the same reason the roads are so clogged up with more Mercedes, BMWs and Bentleys and hardly ANY of those cheap Chevys and Fords on the road at all because "the average consumer who doesn't know any better is going to pick the cheaper and inferior format" I mean, car.
Get with the program buddy! In real world economics, a buck is a buck and it's worth even more when its MY buck. To the average consumer, seeing a new HD-DVD player on the shelf for nearly the same price as last year's DVD player would be a lot more tempting than seeing that Blu-Sony on sale for $500 two shelves down. Besides, your logic is flawed from the beginning here. HD-DVD is NOT an inferior format! Every single review I've read says that there is little to no difference between the two and unfortunately for the BD camp, HD-DVD is far easier to operate and maneuver thru the accompanying features and menus. How does that make it "inferior" in any way shape or form???
Can you say "sore loser"??? I can.
Scott @ Nov 2nd 2007 9:26AM
why does there always have to be one jerk who makes some stupid, uninformed comment like this. Picture and Audio quality on both formats is (or at least can be) identical. The only difference is storage capacity, which has no bearing on movies...unless you like to sit for hours and watch all the junk that got cut out of the movie.
domerdel @ Nov 1st 2007 6:01PM
Can you say? Night vs. Day in your comparison?
Matthew @ Nov 1st 2007 5:43PM
"Sad..I had hoped one of the formats would've ultimately won based purely on the format's abilities. Instead, the average consumer who doesn't know any better is going to pick the cheaper and inferior format - only because of toshiba's desperate rock-bottom prices."
REALLY? HD DVD inferior?
You mean because they have dual video and audio decoders STANDARD on all HD DVD players or because unlike blurry, HD DVD is REQUIRED to have LAN connectivity on all of its players?
Sure seems like an inferior format to me!
Lord...Must me crazy.
cckrobinson @ Nov 1st 2007 5:56PM
HD-DVD format is inferior in capacity and max video bitrate (40Mbits vs 29.4Mbits). The players on the other hand are not. Anyone that says they can tell the difference in video quality between the formats is probably lying. I was planning to wait until January for Blu-ray prices to drop, but this deal has made me reconsider. I'll be heading to Best Buy right after work in hopes of landing one.
domerdel @ Nov 1st 2007 6:00PM
What's with you guys and the STANDARD? just because someone set the standard, doesn't mean it's perfect. And a small note, i'm not trying to deter the lack of standard for blu-ray.
Watch the movie Tommy Boy, fast-forward to the scene where Tommy makes his first sale and gives his analogy on what a "guarantee" is... is somewhat applies to this... No, I'm not saying HD-DVD is a guaranteed piece of sh*t.
One scope could say, perhaps your "standard" is premature. While others are happy. Stop using that in comparison, it's not hindering anyone to jump sides. Boast your other advantages, there's positives in both sides.
Ed @ Nov 1st 2007 5:46PM
fagettaboutit!, folks, Best Buy has pulled their online link for the A2 model so good luck finding it in the stores. My local Best Buy is sold out, then claimed they could order from their distribution center which would take more than a week. We can all agree that's BS since this model is being phased out.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Nov 1st 2007 5:55PM
Sweet deal. And kudos to Donald for the clean write up.. Just the facts, no fluff or slant.
Dave @ Nov 1st 2007 8:05PM
I agree. Great post. I don't see any slant to it.
AZ_Tech @ Nov 1st 2007 5:59PM
what happen to all that good information that was posted last night/early this morning? So I printed the add and Circuit City said they would honor it over the phone. :) Also, 1080i vs 1080p There was a link last night that stated that there wasn't a difference if you TV set was well equip to handle de-interlacing. thoughts on that anyone?
Smee @ Nov 1st 2007 9:16PM
Blu ray is the only product in the modern market place , where the manufacturer and it's fanboys are proud of the fact they have a non standard unspecified betta product, and are happy to dump it on the unknowing general public.
All manufactures upgrade products through their life cycle, but no one, other then a company with the arrogance of sony would dare try to push their product onto the market in this fashion.
It's is a disgraceful attitude and you blu fanboys defend it as gospel.
It defies belief and all logic.
jackson @ Nov 1st 2007 6:24PM
It is ridiculous that there are 2 formats. The Manufacturers and the Studios are acting foolishly in this process and the consumers are having to pay. The HD DVD format is only supported by Universal and Paramount and Warners who supports both formats. Given Paramount's dormancy over the last decade, this is probably only 30 percent of the titles out there. Even at 100 bucks, I don't think it's a bargain. I will stick to my HD DVR.
800lb Gorilla @ Nov 1st 2007 9:22PM
@jackson
"Consumers are having to pay" ? !.....yeah, only $98 if you hurry. This is the bargain of the millennium.
Alex @ Nov 1st 2007 6:26PM
for viewing movies the only inferior thing about HD DVD is not having the anti-scratch coating. I get at least one skip/glitch per movie from Netflix, almost never get them on DVD. HD DVD has proven many times that the disc size/bandwidth is just fine for hidef movies, bluray fanboys need to drop that because continually bringing it up shows how ignorant they are (in addition to dropping HD DUD - grow up).
Ryan P @ Nov 1st 2007 7:28PM
There is no (additional) coating because the information isn't dangerously close to the surface like blu-rays are. I assume you can take scratches off a HD-DVD just as you could a DVD. I can't ignore physics though.... The holes are smaller to make room for more data.
Heffer @ Nov 1st 2007 11:47PM
The real problem is not the format, but the players.
Aren't there players that can already play both formats? Why aren't thees being pushed to mainstream. That'll solve everyone's problems.
Kind of like when DVD R+/-, RW+/- came out and ended in a draw. Its the players that need to adapt and let the formats be.
rg23 @ Nov 4th 2007 7:38PM
@Heffer
Current blu-ray players are not on par with current HD DVD players in terms of functionality. This is the reason why the second generation dual-players are delayed. Dual format makers have to wait for blu-ray to finalize profile 1.1.
Jay @ Nov 1st 2007 9:53PM
And your telling me that they cant still outsell blu ray movies? theirs are cheaper, came with the free movies first, and came out first and still? now they give you hi definition players that only do 720 for 98 dollars and cant still outsell blu ray? god damn it!! man!
Galley @ Nov 1st 2007 10:53PM
Sheesh! At this rate, Toshiba will be bankrupt by the end of the year. $150 million to Paramount. $200 loss on each HD DVD player sold. $125 loss in potential sales to each customer from free HD DVDs.
ceilingfanboy @ Nov 1st 2007 10:59PM
@Galley-How much of the loss is being taken by the retailers, though?
@Jody-I would take that article with a grain of salt considering the author doesn't seem to recognize Sony as a studio and seems to think that WB doesn't release Blu-Ray movies.
HDpurist @ Nov 1st 2007 11:10PM
BDA should encourage retailers to pull this same cowardly stunt by the HD-DVD farm. For example, price ANY BD player on sale for $49.99 and pull all stock from the shelves/links. This will definitely get the attention of all poor-ass home theater enthusiasts and HD-DVD fanbois to convert.
BYE BYE HD-DUD
DeadPlasmaCell @ Nov 1st 2007 11:30PM
@ HDpurist
lol the grapes.. they are sour no?
zargon @ Nov 1st 2007 11:48PM
If you want to talk about coward moves, you do not have to look any further than BDA. The BOGO during the release of Transforms to buy support and they were only able to squeak by. If not for all the money they blew buying the win that week, they would have gotten their asses handed to them.
Not matter though, HD-DVD is heading into Q4 with a full head of steam while Blu-ray is limping along. BD will have to pull out all the stop if they have any hope in maintaining any kind of lead into next year.
James @ Nov 1st 2007 11:47PM
It's fun watching the BD fanboys run in circles.
DeadPlasmaCell @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:35AM
Amen.. It's basically nothing but "..but, but 1080p!?!" or "Just proves how desperate HD-DUD is"
HDpurist @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:24AM
Difference between the BDA's BOGO and Toshie's $98 dip is that BDA made huge profits even if the prices were 1/2, while Toshiba is losing huge money on every player sold meaning they're out-of-control spiraling way past into the red.
So HD-DVD is heading into Q4 with a full head of steam while Blu-ray is limping along? Wow. Check the exclusives for each format coming out till whenever, say 08 March. BD has a huge number of awesome titles, while HD-DVD has only Shrek and that butt-hole Bourne WOW...then again, all you A2 owners can use your new hi-def player to just upconvert DVD.
Funny thing is, all those Walmart shoppers who are lucky enough to purchase a $98 A2 will bring it home and then realize that it can't play their favorite Disney titles on Blu-ray like Cars, Ratatouille, and Pixar Shorts. LOL.
zargon @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:09AM
"Difference between the BDA's BOGO and Toshie's $98 dip is that BDA made huge profits even if the prices were 1/2, while Toshiba is losing huge money on every player sold meaning they're out-of-control spiraling way past into the red."
It must be great to just make up figures and pull them out of your ass. You think that BDA actually made a huge profit selling their movies for half the price? You zealots are even more delusional that I thought.
BDA bought their win with the BOGO and I am sure they spent a lot of money to do it. It has been pretty much common knowledge that the profit margins for HD-DVD are greater than BD. It is one of the reasons that Paramount and Dreamworks made the switch and please don't use the tired excuse that Paramount and Dreamworks were paid off. It has been proven false, not sure why the BD camp just can't let it go and move on. I however, have no doubts that Toshiba is losing money clearing out their stock of A2, but from all reports. Toshiba is losing less money on software and hardware, BDA is the one spending money to buy support for their format.
Like I said, HD-DVD has a full head of steam going into Q4. BD may have some big releases coming up, but HD-DVD's are nothing to scoff at. If you can't admit that Sherk 3 or Bourne will be huge sellers and get past your blinders, then you are hopeless. The BDA is going to be fighting a uphill battle this holiday season and will be lucky to keep their current lead.
If the rumors are true, that Warner is looking to go HD-DVD exclusive, BD will be hurting. You also have to factor in if BDA will be able keep their exclusive studios in bed with them if HD-DVD finishes strong this holiday season. I believe a lot hinges on this holiday season and from what we have seen for the past few weeks, Toshiba is not going to disappoint. The ball is now is BDA's court and the question is now if they actually plan on stepping up to the plate with out spending large amounts of money to do it.
I don't foresee either format going any where in the near feature, but I defiantly think we are going to see a shift and possibly some studios either jumping ship to HD-DVD or at least going neutral to HD-DVD (Disney?). Sure, it sucks not to be able to get some of the BD exclusive movies right now, but I can wait for them to come to HD-DVD or for BD to get more desperate and/or try to complete with HD-DVD's prices and putting BD players into a price range ($200) that I, and many more, would be willing to spend money on.
Bobby Hull @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:32AM
Anyone know if some of my favorite films in Hi-def can be playable on this Toshiba A2:
28 Weeks Later
Fantastic Four 2
Spiderman 1-3
Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3
Resident Evil 1-3
Die Hard 1-4
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Simpsons Movie
Lost
Prison Break
Ronin
Cast Away
Independence Day
Badder Santa
Superbad
keithgregoire @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:51AM
Bobby Hull wrote
Anyone know if some of my favorite films in Hi-def can be playable on this Toshiba A2:
Fantastic Four 2 and the Resident Evil films are available on HD DVD and the Toshiba A2 will play them. I own the HD DVD of Resident Evil - great quality. I'll be ordering FF2 and the other Resident Evil HD DVDs soon.
LiqwidZero @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:56AM
I have Resident Evil right now. Resident Evil: Apocalypse will be here tomorrow. Resident Evil: Extinction is coming out next year, I believe in February.
Dave @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:28AM
Not really unless you import, Bobby--but your taste in titles kinda sucks. See if you can play these on BD:
Heroes Season 1
Battlestar Galactic Season 1
Transformers
Serenity
Unforgiven
The Matrix Trilogy
V for Vendetta
Children of Men
Lost in Translation
The Big Lebowski
Bourne Trilogy
Hot Fuzz
Shaun of the Dead
40 Year Old Virgin
Half Baked
The Matrix Trilogy
Batman Begins
etc.
Guess what? You can't.
Bobby Hull @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:55PM
Import? LOL. Only you and about 10 other HD-DUD enthusiast stoop that low. The rest of the HD-DVD owners haven't a clue...meaning HD-DUD is tha DOOMED.
Ryan P @ Nov 2nd 2007 8:37AM
Wow these are all movies that I can go out and buy today instead of: "This will be great if Fox ever gets around to it."
Bobby Hull @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:35PM
Wow, Dave are you that desparate to list Matrix Trilogy twice? If I'm not mistaken, Batman is also coming out on BD right?
Plus 40 Year Old Virgin sucks ass - only those that can relate like it (meaning you). Otherwise, I find it FUBAR.
Battlestar Galactic S1? From the 1970's? Horrible cheese.
As for the other titles, you're getting desparate. Face it, your taste sucks.
Bobby Hull @ Nov 2nd 2007 11:53PM
Btw Dave, if you want to list all Blu-ray current exclusive just as you did for your HD-DVD list, bring it on. My list includes mostly future releases till early Jan 08, and considering the horrible basically nonexisting exclusives coming out on HD-DVD till mid next year, I hope all HD-DVD supporters are aware and happily accept the troubles of overseas importing...NOT. LOL.
Decon @ Nov 2nd 2007 3:10AM
I called one of my local Best Buys today here in Portland, Oregon and they no HD-A2 and didn't seem to know what it was.. seems to be missing from the Best Buy web page does anyone have a Best Buy's SKU/Item Number for the HD-A2 so I can just have them run that through their inventory?