Couldn't believe it, but Walmart's sale tomorrow has a Toshiba HD-DVD Player for $99. Supposedly they will have a regularly priced one at $169 coming out before the holidays, and that means Black Friday will have them even cheaper.

Meanwhile, Blu Ray is what, $300 at the cheapest?

I'm not saying that HD-DVD is the better format by any means. And chances are these players are crap. And I don't like to support Walmart (you guys know why). But the big-box store shoppers make up the majority of the market, and when there's a price difference like this, you know which one they'll by.

If this trend continues I think we'll see the emergence of HD-DVD over Blu-Ray.

Actually the Toshiba A-2 is a decent entry level player. Wal-Mart link:
[Link: tinyurl.com]
Best But will match Wal-Marts price tomorrow.
More news:
Warner Brothers let their contract expire with Blu-Ray.
Blu-Ray has extended the date for Profile 1.1 specs in all players.
Sony is bleeding money. But for how much longer is the question.

Question is: Will you get 5 free HD-DVDs with the purchase? If so, the player is essentially free.

As for BluRay, somewhere this week (sorry, don't remember where) I saw a PS3 for sale at $399. Good price for BluRay, great price for BluRay AND a game box. Even better price if a few movies were thrown in. Might pick one up myself if I could remember where I saw the ad.

This article discusses that point [Link: news.filefront.com]

I see Amazon have them at $399.99

I like this quote from the article you just linked:
"I just wish it had the games to back it up right now (MGS4 & GT5 look pimp)."

DBrown,
Yes, you get the five free movies. Which does make the player essentially free.
Hard deal to pass up.

WOW! don't see any such sale happening up here in Canada, but it just so happens i'm off to Vegas for the weekend, so will be on the lookout for that! funny, i'm actually on the market for a BD player, but i'm sure this would be preferable over my current 360 add-on.

Be careful in Vegas or you won't have the dough for any player!
LOL.

Went to my local Walwart and they told me they sold out their supply of A2s within a half hour from when the doors opened. That's what I get for having to work. ;-(

OTAHD: it is the A2, it was introduced earlier this year at 500$. It is a clearance item because the third generation is coming out. My guess is that Toshiba is dumping for two reasons
1) to get rid of excess volume on an old model (which is normal)
2) because Warner did some talking a few days ago (A VP said that Warner was going to stop their neutral stance and also said they will continue to support BD)

I guess they are also worried because they are losing the stand alone player sales. The market was 60:40 at the beginning of the year and is now 54:46. That is a relatively big loss in SI sales, which means that there is a good chance that BD standalone players are outselling HD DVD.

Since the player has been dropping since it came out, my opinion is just wait for the next larger firesale.

PS. The 169 is the black Friday sale.

I've seen some attractive pricing on the 2nd gen Toshibas, but personally if I'm going to get an HD-DVD player I'll spring for the A35.

As would I, but there's a large market that will get whatever's cheaper.

Put me in that category. I was going to wait for the war to end, or buy a dual format player. For $98 though, I figure that even if BR wins, I still have a decent upconverting dvd player.

Link supporting that claim?

Not a chance. More FUD.

From TV Predictions on the Wal-Mart sale:
[Link: tvpredictions.com]

At the end of the article is this:
"With the holidays rapidly approaching, Blu-ray is leaving itself open to a potential knockout punch. If Toshiba can sell a bunch of low-priced HD-A2s, Warner Home Video might reconsider its tilt toward Blu-ray and endorse HD DVD instead.

And if that occurs, you might see another studio follow suit.

Blu-ray now has four major studios supporting it exclusively with only two backing HD DVD exclusively. It's the reason why Blu-ray is winning.

But unless Blu-ray supporters lower player prices -- and soon -- the studios could be the reason that the format ultimately loses."

OTAHD's statement in the first post:
"If this trend continues I think we'll see the emergence of HD-DVD over Blu-Ray."
is right on the money.

which one, the one that A2 is being replaced by A3? oor the Warner VP? Here is just one of many [Link: cdrinfo.com]

[quote]Not a chance. More FUD.[/quote]
how is that FUD? look at Toshiba's numbhers. Look at what they have said over the year.

[quote]From TV Predictions on the Wal-Mart sale:[/quote]

why should I take seriously the pridiction made by an author that can't even get the studios straight

Sony, Fox, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate sure makes the studios 5 BD exclusive and not 4 and they have been that way since day 1 so it is not just missing the latest change.

Standalone HD DVD players have always been outselling SAL Blu-Ray players since day one. And as far as I know that hasn't changed. With the big sale the other day it has probably increased.

As for the CDRINFO link The VP did say he was looking at everything. But the only thing I found directly was not a quote from the VP:

"Warner's possible decision to support Blu-ray over HD DVD could have a major impact on the high-def disc format war. Without Warner, HD DVD's catalogue would only include titles from two studios."

Whichever way Warner goes could very well decide the format war. It would severly cripple the format that loses their catalog titles. Warner is doing better than the other studios right now and making money off both sides. Until they commit to one side it is all just speculation.

This quote from Silverberg tells me the format that sells the most players will get their support:
"But now that hardware pricing is affordable for both Blu-ray and HD DVD, it appears consumers no longer want to decide ? so the notion of staying in two formats for the duration is something we are re-evaluating now that we are in the fourth quarter," Silverberg added, according to Home Media Magazine."

It will be interesting to see what happens between now and Christmas.