Toshiba offering $100 instant rebates on HD DVD players

Adam Gregorich · 05-16-2007, 03:58 PM

HD DVD Promotional Group Launches National Marketing and Retail Campaigns For Spring Promotion of HD DVD Format

In-cinema trailers expected reach of 30 million consumers on 12,000 screens nationwide; $100 rebate on select Toshiba players bring price to an industry-first $299.99*

LOS ANGELES (May 16, 2007) – The companies supporting HD DVD began spring marketing and retail campaigns in May, running in-cinema trailers to promote the HD DVD format. Playing to record-breaking crowds of consumers in front of some of the summer’s biggest blockbusters, including Spiderman 3, the trailers are designed to educate consumers about the quality and value of HD DVD, and will play for four weeks. The trailers showcase the amazing audio and video quality, the stunning interactive features available only on HD DVD, and the incredible line-up of films already on the market.

According to National CineMedia, the number of impressions is expected to reach approximately 30 million viewers. The trailer will run across a network of 932 theaters and on 12,000 screens nationwide, including the top three movie theater chains Regal, AMC and Cinemark.

To augment the trailer campaign, Toshiba is offering a one month promotion for an instant, in-store rebate on select HD DVD players, bringing the price of some models down to an industry-first $299.99*. Beginning May 20^th, 2007, consumers buying a Toshiba HD-A2 model player will receive an immediate $100 instant rebate in store, for an attractive price of $299.99*.

During the final week of the rebate period, from June 10^th through June 16^th, 2007, Toshiba will increase the incentive for consumers to enjoy high definition. Consumers can apply the $100 rebate to any Toshiba HD DVD player, resulting in prices of $299.99* for the HD-A2 or $399.99* for the HD-A20 models. Or consumers can buy any Toshiba HDTV 42” and over (measured diagonally) along with any Toshiba HD DVD player and receive an instant $200 rebate in store on the collective purchase.

Consumers who purchase any Toshiba HD DVD player can also get five HD DVD titles for free, choosing from a selection of 15 movies. This offer is available through July 31, 2007 and in conjunction with the previously listed promotion and rebate – full offer details are available at www.toshibahddvd.com.

“HD DVD is an evolution of the DVD format into high definition, but the format offers much more, so educating consumers on the quality and new features is an important step as more households purchase high definition televisions,” said Jodi Sally, vice president of marketing at Toshiba America Consumer Products. “We know that price is a powerful driver for consumers to adopt new technology, which is why our rebate promotion is a great incentive to bring cinema-quality, high definition movies into your home today.”

The rebate will be available across a wide range of retailers, including Best Buy, City, HHGregg, Amazon.com and many others. The marketing and retail campaigns will also coincide with the Warner Home Video release of The Complete Matrix Trilogy and Letters from Iwo Jima, and the Paramount Home Entertainment release of Flags of Our Fathers on May 22nd, and will be supported by a multi-million dollar advertising campaign incorporating TV, online, newspaper, and radio.

*MSRP on Toshiba HD DVD Player models: (HD-A2) $399.99, (HD-A20) $499.99 and (HD-XA2) $799.99.

Instant rebate offer available only at participating retailers.

Jason Seaver · 05-16-2007, 04:06 PM

The HD-A2 is $320 at Amazon right now. So for $220, next week someone will be able to get it and five movies. That puts it about in line with a good upconverting player.

I just sent this to my brother who just bought a new HDTV. Man, I felt so clever getting my HD-A1 for $450 last August...

shockemags · 05-16-2007, 04:46 PM

Very cool. Thanks.

Any way to get $100 off if I buy the HD-DVD Player here...

vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/accessories/487678362

Adam Gregorich · 05-16-2007, 05:19 PM

$220 +five free at Amazon is a killer deal!

Joe-
You will have to ask Vanns.

ppltd · 05-16-2007, 05:54 PM

Toshiba certainly looks like they are not taking any prisoners. This is agressive pricing from Tosh...

**HTF Ads**

DaveF · 05-16-2007, 08:04 PM

It's listed as $277 at Amazon right now: $100 rebate makes it $177. Is it known for sure that the rebate will be available via Amazon, who is actually providing sell-through for Electronics Expo?

Kevin C Brown · 05-16-2007, 08:23 PM

I am not pro HD DVD or Blu-ray. I am waiting for either one to "win" (don't care which), or for more combo players.

But with that said ...

This brings a smile to my face, because if Toshiba had any issues with the supply of these players not meeting demand, they most certainly would not be offering a deal like this. Almost seems to me, that they have units they can't sell, so they're dropping the price.

TonyD · 05-16-2007, 08:32 PM

yeah well that is one direction you can spin it towards.
but why bother who cares really.
it is just on sale for a great price buy it if you want it.

Chris S · 05-16-2007, 09:51 PM

Quote:

During the final week of the rebate period, from June 10^th through June 16^th, 2007, Toshiba will increase the incentive for consumers to enjoy high definition. Consumers can apply the $100 rebate to any Toshiba HD DVD player...

Might actually have to upgrade to the HD-XA2 earlier than I had planned.