Toshiba HD-DVD player is $100 this Friday at Walmarts nationwide.

[JackBurton]

Guys, understand that this is Toshiba's older model, and their new replacement model, the HD-A3, has been released. It makes sense that they don't have a huge pile of HD-DVD players (HD-A2) in massive quantities. Toshiba looks like they are trying to move into the spot light by pricing their older HD-DVD player at an eye catching price so more people will notice HD-DVD. They'll then go on to sell their newer and more expensive entry level HD-DVD player (HD-A3) when their older player is out of stock, but it will still be considerably cheaper than a comparable Blu-Ray player.

I think that it is a great strategy. Instead of just letting their older model just fade out, they're let it go out with a bang and putting the spot light on HD-DVD. Great move.

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: michaels
I agree wyvrn, also the PS3 399 model will probably sell more next month than this and the addon combined.

I hope Sony got some airtight contract agreements with the sale of their PS3 manufacturing unit. Toshiba now makes the PS3 for Sony........ I wonder how tempting it would be to have "production delays".

I dropped by the local Walmart here, and picked up a $99 player. At that price, I don't care who eventually wins the format war, it's just not that much cash at risk.
They had 19 in the store I went to, and none left at 0805.

 

[Skunkwourk]

well did anyone get one? yet?

 

[yllus]

My nefarious plan to bring AnandTech into the HD-DVD fold is working! WORKING! MUWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Comedy aside, I don't really care who wins, but Battlestar Galactica season one being released on HD-DVD in December is likely going to sway me to that side. There's no way I'm not buying that.

Originally posted by: Eghck
well did anyone get one? yet?

Are you serious? 😛

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
Just got back from the University City Wal-Mart in Charlotte, NC. Literally walked out with the last player. It'll make a good gift for my parents this Christmas.

Originally posted by: techs
I just got the toshiba at walmart.

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
My friend said they had 20 in stock this morning. ... He picked one up.

Originally posted by: NFS4
Got to my local walmart at 8:45AM. Got the last one they had.

Originally posted by: Nyati13
I dropped by the local Walmart here, and picked up a $99 player. At that price, I don't care who eventually wins the format war, it's just not that much cash at risk.

Originally posted by: Atrail
I got three. Two at one walmart around 7:15am.

Originally posted by: RossMAN
They rang up my Toshiba HD DVD I whipped out my cc and they said "OMG it's Office Guy 6!!!!" I signed autographs and walked out. Ok maybe it didn't quite go down like that 😉

 

[pontifex]

i'm gonna try after work. the wal-mart near work is like out in the middle of nowhere and the people in the area aren't most likely tech savy or check into deals online. plus, that wal-mart is awlays dead when i go there.

i think i have a good chance, but we'll see. i won't be too disappointed if I don't get one though.

 

[Atrail]

I got three. Two at one walmart around 7:15am. They guy said two per customer. There were two other people there. That was 6 gone between the three of us out of about 10 or so. Drove down the hwy on my way to work and stopped at the next walmart and stood in line with about 12 people in front of me. They would not sell them till 8am and one per customer. My lucky coworkers get the other two....

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: pontifex
i'm gonna try after work. the wal-mart near work is like out in the middle of nowhere and the people in the area aren't most likely tech savy or check into deals online. plus, that wal-mart is awlays dead when i go there.

i think i have a good chance, but we'll see. i won't be too disappointed if I don't get one though.

Don't need to. Bestbuy Business has it for $89 (using coupon code) online

 

[jlfirehawk]

The walmart here has a whole stack of them at 10am, and it is the new super walmart.

 

[Tifababy]

I showed up at my local walmart around 7:50am after dropping my wife off at work. I walked around the electronics dept looking for the A2 and finally found a walmart employee who told me they were handing them out at the "site to store" desk. There was a line of about 30 people by the time I got in line at 7:55am. The store probably had 50 HD-DVD players. They were only allowing one per customer though. They still had over 20 left on the shelf when I left.

 

[waggy]

just got back from Walmart this morning. They had maybe 12 in stock. i grabbed one.

though they had NO HD-DVD movies in stock. wich sucked.

just wish my TV had 3 HDMI outputs heh. the two are already taken with my PS3 and satalite box.

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: michaels
I agree wyvrn, also the PS3 399 model will probably sell more next month than this and the addon combined.

If it is really a one time sale, then it will have zero effect on the market. A drop in the bucket. It would have to be a more consistent approach to underselling BluRay to have any effect. But the potential drawback is in perception of quality. If they go full into the cheap route, people may not buy them. In retail, I was taught that people often based their opinion of quality on the price of an item and saw that in my own sales experience. They have to be careful and make sure they are perceived as a quality format and medium capable of challenging the other guys.

The VHS shoudl have lost based on your theroy. Beta was better quality and cost more but lost as VHS is cheaper.
That and there is not that big a difference between Blu and HD-DVD like VHS vs Beta.

Price will win this war not perception.

There was more to that battle than price. Sony is much smarter this time around, using the PS3 to market their version. And they have major studios in their corner. The quality is the same on either unit. Price will have a big effect, but you also have to have supply to back that up. If this is a one time deal, it will not sway the market to HD DVD. The newer version of the Toshiba player sells for $298 at Walmart. That's too expensive for most people, including myself, who can wait until they come down. And I am not limited by income.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: pontifex
i'm gonna try after work. the wal-mart near work is like out in the middle of nowhere and the people in the area aren't most likely tech savy or check into deals online. plus, that wal-mart is awlays dead when i go there.

i think i have a good chance, but we'll see. i won't be too disappointed if I don't get one though.

Don't need to. Bestbuy Business has it for $89 (using coupon code) online

closest BB is about 45 minutes away in a big city. unless they have tons of these, my chances of getting one are even lower. not to mention that i can't get to one at least until tomorrow.

the online deal is dead btw.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: techs
I just got the toshiba at walmart. Hooked it up with a hdmi to dvi cable and regular dvd's DO play.
I will be renting an HD-DVD within the hour.
Note: regular dvd DOES look slightly better than on my progressive scan Sony dvd player so the upconverting does have some effect. Not startling difference. About a just noticeable difference. Though the sound seems better thru the optical cable than from my Sony. Appreciably better.
btw seems to "boot up" and load discs at the same speed as my older Sony, so I am not seeing the "up to a minute" boot and 30 second load times other people of have commented on. Perhaps it will be different with a HD-DVD.

Ok, I have now tried Serenity HD-DVD with no problems hdmi to dvi.
And the player DID NOT COME WITH ANY FREE DVD'S.
SO THANKS Shadowknight FOR YOUR LINK IN YOUR POST TO THE DOWNLOADABLE FORM TO GET 5 FREE HD-DVD'S.
HERE'S THE LINK FROM HIS POST:

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/00/00/00/71/79/28/71792861._V25941811_.pdf

ahh so hdmi-DVi works? great i have 2 of them in a desk.

though running out of room on my stand. have Satalite box, cd player,reciever, wii, center speaker, ps3. no more room for anythign else.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: michaels
I agree wyvrn, also the PS3 399 model will probably sell more next month than this and the addon combined.

If it is really a one time sale, then it will have zero effect on the market. A drop in the bucket. It would have to be a more consistent approach to underselling BluRay to have any effect. But the potential drawback is in perception of quality. If they go full into the cheap route, people may not buy them. In retail, I was taught that people often based their opinion of quality on the price of an item and saw that in my own sales experience. They have to be careful and make sure they are perceived as a quality format and medium capable of challenging the other guys.

The VHS shoudl have lost based on your theroy. Beta was better quality and cost more but lost as VHS is cheaper.
That and there is not that big a difference between Blu and HD-DVD like VHS vs Beta.

Price will win this war not perception.

There was more to that battle than price. Sony is much smarter this time around, using the PS3 to market their version. And they have major studios in their corner. The quality is the same on either unit. Price will have a big effect, but you also have to have supply to back that up. If this is a one time deal, it will not sway the market to HD DVD. The newer version of the Toshiba player sells for $298 at Walmart. That's too expensive for most people, including myself, who can wait until they come down. And I am not limited by income.

How much is the cheapest blu ray stand alone? That this can even be sold for $99 indicates that it won't be long before HD DVD players at <=$100 are commonplace.

 

[RossMAN]

The RossMAN report:

I'm glad I called Walmart last night and was told their doors open at 7AM. I asked about the 8AM secret sale and if items were available at 7AM? Of course they had no clue.

Just in case I arrived at Walmart around 7:08 AM only to find a line about 20 people deep in the electronics area. The coveted "secret sale" items were held behind the counter which I think is a good idea. Otherwise it would have been a free for all. Everyone in line was civil and quiet for the most part.

At 7:19 AM they sold their last 50" Plasma HDTV and said they only received two. There were two pallets of HD DVD Players and around 30 Acer laptops. They rang up my Toshiba HD DVD I whipped out my cc and they said "OMG it's Office Guy 6!!!!" I signed autographs and walked out. Ok maybe it didn't quite go down like that 😉

Is anyone else surprised that the Toshiba HD DVD player was more popular than the $349 Acer laptop? I could have purchased the Toshiba HD DVD online this morning (Best Buy Business deal) but I wanted it TODAY.

 

[waggy]

i didn't even know about the acer deal until i got in. then looked at it. if i had my CC i would have got one for my SIL x-mas gift.

man my wife is going to put the damn DVD player in the closet until X-mas. FUCK heh

 

[BillyBatson]

oye rossman I wish I had thought about it. I assumed (since I never go to walmart) that their normal hours were 10am till whenever and that for today they would be opening at 8am. I arrive at 7:20 to find the store open!? I go up to electronics and alas a line of about 15 people. Turns out a line formed at 4am for those wanting the hd-dvd player so those people received numbered tickets and purchased their entire allotment at 7am when the doors opened. The remaining people in line were after the Acer laptops which they seemed to have enough of and no one was touching the 2 remaining plasmas. Clerk was quite kind (especially for a walmart employee) and had a list he made himself of the surrounding locations, units received, and units available as of certain times. They too were all sold out so I came back home.
🙁
another day

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: waggy
man my wife is going to put the damn DVD player in the closet next to my balls until X-mas. FUCK heh

Fixed :Q

FWIW the laptop sucks but it is dirt cheap with no rebate hassles. I think most of the $499 laptop deals offer more bang for your buck in terms of CPU, RAM and HD.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: waggy
man my wife is going to put the damn DVD player in the closet next to my balls until X-mas. FUCK heh

Fixed :Q

FWIW the laptop sucks but it is dirt cheap with no rebate hassles. I think most of the $499 laptop deals offer more bang for your buck in terms of CPU, RAM and HD.

sigh. yeah. she has them in a glass jar so i can see them when i want to feel like a man again.

sigh.

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: waggy
man my wife is going to put the damn DVD player in the closet next to my balls until X-mas. FUCK heh

Fixed :Q

FWIW the laptop sucks but it is dirt cheap with no rebate hassles. I think most of the $499 laptop deals offer more bang for your buck in terms of CPU, RAM and HD.

I have an acer laptop, bought about 6 months ago. Already had it reimaged once, motherboard completely replaced, and now it is blue screening constantly. I wouldn't every by that brand again. Just my experience, but next time I go with a better manufacturer.

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: michaels
I agree wyvrn, also the PS3 399 model will probably sell more next month than this and the addon combined.

If it is really a one time sale, then it will have zero effect on the market. A drop in the bucket. It would have to be a more consistent approach to underselling BluRay to have any effect. But the potential drawback is in perception of quality. If they go full into the cheap route, people may not buy them. In retail, I was taught that people often based their opinion of quality on the price of an item and saw that in my own sales experience. They have to be careful and make sure they are perceived as a quality format and medium capable of challenging the other guys.

The VHS shoudl have lost based on your theroy. Beta was better quality and cost more but lost as VHS is cheaper.
That and there is not that big a difference between Blu and HD-DVD like VHS vs Beta.

Price will win this war not perception.

There was more to that battle than price. Sony is much smarter this time around, using the PS3 to market their version. And they have major studios in their corner. The quality is the same on either unit. Price will have a big effect, but you also have to have supply to back that up. If this is a one time deal, it will not sway the market to HD DVD. The newer version of the Toshiba player sells for $298 at Walmart. That's too expensive for most people, including myself, who can wait until they come down. And I am not limited by income.

How much is the cheapest blu ray stand alone? That this can even be sold for $99 indicates that it won't be long before HD DVD players at <=$100 are commonplace.

Read what has already been written in the thread. This is a closeout clearance on a specific Toshiba model. It is a one time sale. The replacement model is $298. Still not bad, but we are far from widespread $100 high definition DVD units.

 

[wyvrn]

bestbuybusiness site is out also 🙁 Oh well, will wait for the next deal to come along.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: wyvrn

Originally posted by: michaels
I agree wyvrn, also the PS3 399 model will probably sell more next month than this and the addon combined.

If it is really a one time sale, then it will have zero effect on the market. A drop in the bucket. It would have to be a more consistent approach to underselling BluRay to have any effect. But the potential drawback is in perception of quality. If they go full into the cheap route, people may not buy them. In retail, I was taught that people often based their opinion of quality on the price of an item and saw that in my own sales experience. They have to be careful and make sure they are perceived as a quality format and medium capable of challenging the other guys.

The VHS shoudl have lost based on your theroy. Beta was better quality and cost more but lost as VHS is cheaper.
That and there is not that big a difference between Blu and HD-DVD like VHS vs Beta.

Price will win this war not perception.

There was more to that battle than price. Sony is much smarter this time around, using the PS3 to market their version. And they have major studios in their corner. The quality is the same on either unit. Price will have a big effect, but you also have to have supply to back that up. If this is a one time deal, it will not sway the market to HD DVD. The newer version of the Toshiba player sells for $298 at Walmart. That's too expensive for most people, including myself, who can wait until they come down. And I am not limited by income.

How much is the cheapest blu ray stand alone? That this can even be sold for $99 indicates that it won't be long before HD DVD players at <=$100 are commonplace.

Read what has already been written in the thread. This is a closeout clearance on a specific Toshiba model. It is a one time sale. The replacement model is $298. Still not bad, but we are far from widespread $100 high definition DVD units.

The A2 is still listed as a current model and sells for $200 now. It was that price at amazon, BB, wal-mart, etc... before this. Even then the a3 has the same hardware as the A2 so cost should be the same if not lower after the A2 stops production/runs out.

 

[dudeman007]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
The RossMAN report:

I'm glad I called Walmart last night and was told their doors open at 7AM. I asked about the 8AM secret sale and if items were available at 7AM? Of course they had no clue.

This is so typical I should have called to check myself. A friend and I showed up around 8 and by the time we were there everything was sold out. Granted, I'm not sure if I would have been able to get up early enough to be there at 7, but it's lame when they advertise one thing and do another.

Anyone had any luck with price matches at other stores?

 

[Yreka]

Damn, missed out 🙁 Everyone around here is OOS..

I was on the fence about the $198 player too.. I can tell you one thing, after seeing them for $99 there is no way I am going to pay $200 now. Clearance sale or not.

$100 just became my new price point 😉