First ever thread: will HD DVD player price drops in 2 months? (1 Viewer)

[Steve Tannehill]

First, welcome to HTF!

I doubt the prices will drop soon, since the HD-A1 is already half the price of the competition. I'd expect to see new players and lower prices after CES in January.

- Steve

 

[KeithMoechnig]

The earliest I see a price drop is December/January. Keep in mind they're already losing $200-300 dollars on each unit.

 

[Joseph Bolus]

I sort of doubt that the price of HD-DVD players will be dropping anytime soon. In actual point of fact the prices could be going up over the course of the next six months or so!

Check-out this little blurb announcing Lite-On's entry into HD-DVD at a "sub-one-thousand" price point:

http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20060710PB203.html

The fact of the matter is, the Toshiba HD-A1 is probably the current bargain of the decade. The only reason it was introduced initially at a $500 price point was due to the large advantages that Blu-ray had over the HD-DVD format at launch (including multiple hardware vendor support; more studios supporting Blu-ray exclusively; and the threat of the heavily-subsidized Sony PS3).

Toshiba had to gain some traction in the marketplace, and they had to do it fast. Introducing a $1200 player for $500, while simultaneously delivering on promises of outstanding video quality, was one way to do it.

The upshot is that first generation adopters are getting a rare bargain with this player as opposed to the more traditional "arrows in the back"!

 

[Rakesh.S]

Toshiba's head honchos have already come out and said that they're not taking a loss and they're in business to make a profit...

 

[Ron-P]

http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/4817/53/

 

[Ronald Epstein]

In any event, it seems the build quality of the Toshiba HD-A1
goes beyond its $500 asking price.

I would (and have) invest in this player without hesitation.

Welcome to our forum and please let us know if and when you
purchase a player and what you think of HD-DVD. It's important
for all of us to learn off the experiences of others.

 

[Ed St. Clair]

The price dropped in the FIRST two months!
People are finding the A1 for under $400US, now.

 

[RobertDW]

Even lower about $364 see here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=693291

 

[Pete T C]

I wouldn't expect a pricedrop on standalone players until Q2 2007.

If $499 is too much for you, you might consider the $199 HD DVD addon drive for the XBOX 360 coming this fall - of course you need an XBOX 360 for that and the quality probably won't be as good as the HD-A1 since consoles generally don't look as good as standalone players.

 

[Harminder]

Although I have no proof and this is strictly my opinion, I highly doubt that there will be a dramatic price reduction. It might come down $50 or something during the Christmas rush or boxing week, but I don't think there will be a significant drop in price for the Toshiba HD-A1 anytime soon.

The HD-XA1 however I think there might be a $100 price drop at least, before the end of the year.