Toshiba Deploys New HD DVD Marketing Initiatives ...

cbcdesign · 01-14-2008, 10:32 AM

Well since DVD created by Toshiba is by far the biggest of the three formats and the DVD forum decided to support HD DVD to succeed DVD I very much doubt if Toshiba will stop supporting HD DVD in their players for many years. In that regard the format will live a long long time.

With the prices they are charging people looking for a dvd player that upscales will seriously look at an HD DVD player.

If Toshiba can persuade Universal & Paramount to realease in combo only formats with all their latest releases, this will put millions of high definition disks (HD DVD) in peoples homes in much the same way that Sony put millions of blu-ray players in peoples homes with the PS3.

You can pretend that HD DVD is dead because it suits your support of the blu-ray format (Red Baron indeed, why not Blu Baron?) but Toshiba are not about to let the format dies simply because the BDA wishes it. Furthermore since the BDA made a rather foolish error last week by admitting at CES that their format is not yet ready as far as SA are concerned, Toshiba could and should use this to their advantage.

I find it interesting that some Blu ray supporters are visibly distressed by Toshiba's show of defiance. This tells a story in itself in my opinion.

Lastly, before you have the gall to suggest that HD DVD supporters are lacking morals for continuing to support the format when the BDA have put obsolete players onto the open market and have now publically stated that they are not ready for mass adoption where interactivity and PIP are concerned, (I exclude the PS3 from this statement) you may like to take a long hard look at the state that stand alone blu ray players are in at the moment and therefore the format as a whole before you judge other people.

mswoods1 · 01-14-2008, 10:39 AM

Oh yeah, anyway - like many people have said (and I agree), the only way for HD DVD to succeed at this point is to market their players as very good upscalers. Unfortunately, they haven't put in Toshiba's new "super upconversion" technology though. I wonder if that'll be in the Gen-4's...

I wish their players would have better boot-up times too. Anytime I think about recommending an HD DVD player as a future-proof upscaler player [even before they have an HDTV], I worry about how they'll feel about the boot-up times.

TheRedBaron · 01-14-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super XP

Why would they? Warner will continue to support HD DVD for another 4 months where at that time they will deside whether they are going to stick with HD DVD or BD.

One can only wonder which planet you must be from???

TheRedBaron · 01-14-2008, 10:43 AM

Incredibly, reading the last few posts, this does seem to be the hang out for the last few die-hard red zealots who cling on to a distant memory of when HD-DVD had a chance at winning the format war.

Doesn't that fact that even most HD-DVD supporters are now conceiding defeat and have largely moved on. Or why not try google news and type in BLU-RAY or HD-DVD and try and find one media outlet that thinks HD-DVD will win now.... It's absolutely staggering the sort of people you can find on the web....

tomes · 01-14-2008, 10:46 AM

I think whether you are red, blue or purple, you can all agree it is good that Toshiba is lowering pricing:
-red boys think that it means HDDVD has a chance
-blue boys will see increased pressure on BD to lower prices as well
-purple will get lower prices (easy to get into HDDVD), plus puts pressure on BD to lower prices (good competition)

tomes · 01-14-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRedBaron

Incredibly, reading the last few posts, this does seem to be the hang out for the last few die-hard red zealots who cling on to a distant memory of when HD-DVD had a chance at winning the format war.

Doesn't that fact that even most HD-DVD supporters are now conceiding defeat and have largely moved on. Or why not try google news and type in BLU-RAY or HD-DVD and try and find one media outlet that thinks HD-DVD will win now.... It's absolutely staggering the sort of people you can find on the web....

I think two things will kill HDDVD:
-lack of studio support (prices can only do so much)
-public perception that Blu-Ray is the format that won/is winning (self fulfilling prophecy).

Agreed that some of the HDDVD zealots are incredible.

cbcdesign · 01-14-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRedBaron

Incredibly, reading the last few posts, this does seem to be the hang out for the last few die-hard red zealots who cling on to a distant memory of when HD-DVD had a chance at winning the format war.

Doesn't that fact that even most HD-DVD supporters are now conceiding defeat and have largely moved on. Or why not try google news and type in BLU-RAY or HD-DVD and try and find one media outlet that thinks HD-DVD will win now.... It's absolutely staggering the sort of people you can find on the web....

Where is your evidence that "Most" HD DVD supporters have moved on? On this forum a recent poll showed that over a three quarters were keeping their players and "still" buying movies. If we represent the "true" HD DVD supporters point of view then most have not moved on at all. This is pure blu-ray speculation as per usual.

Qbfinest83 · 01-14-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRedBaron

Whilst you continue to support a dead format with your blind xbot fanboy attitude, some poor person may read your posts and be mislead into thinking that investing into HD-DVD at this point is anything other than dead-end investment.

Now you may have enough disposable income to write-off the investment and humor your fanboyish whims, but others may not, and to you let you go on in this vain unchecked is IMO a dereliction of duty for anybody with any sort of moral compass.

So SPAM away.............

I think Toshiba just wants to stay in the game long enough to try to draw another studio away from BD. If someone walks into a store and doesnt know any better and is looking for a DVD upconverter they can get the A3 for 149 or lower and get a player that can play HD DVD. If the rumors were true warner wanted to go to HDDVD but wanted to end the war so when Fox didnt go red they went blue. If they can hold out long enough maybe fox might reconsider or even Warner if not Disney could go neutral.

I will admit that this is a long shot however I will be recommending HDDVD from now on to anyone that ask for a upconverter.

Cygnus · 01-14-2008, 10:52 AM

I still don't understand why toshiba did not plan a "what if" scenario of WB going blu from the beginning. You have to at least prepare for the worst.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

It takes time to come up with a new plan after having the rug pulled out.

Qbfinest83 · 01-14-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomes

I think whether you are red, blue or purple, you can all agree it is good that Toshiba is lowering pricing:
-red boys think that it means HDDVD has a chance
-blue boys will see increased pressure on BD to lower prices as well
-purple will get lower prices (easy to get into HDDVD), plus puts pressure on BD to lower prices (good competition)

Agreed

cbcdesign · 01-14-2008, 10:57 AM

I just don't buy this theory that HD DVD is dead in it's entirety. I agree that the momentum favours Blu-ray as the "Standard" HD format but HD DVD could survive as a format in terms of our ability to play the movies if Toshiba can get enough hardware into peoples homes. I grant you that it may mean releases eventualy stop from the major studios but that doesn't concern me necessarily. At the moment though, Toshiba, Universal, Paramount, Dreamworks and presumably Microsoft are fighting on. They will retain my support for as long as they chose to do so.

unotis · 01-14-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRedBaron

Incredibly, reading the last few posts, this does seem to be the hang out for the last few die-hard red zealots who cling on to a distant memory of when HD-DVD had a chance at winning the format war.

Doesn't that fact that even most HD-DVD supporters are now conceiding defeat and have largely moved on. Or why not try google news and type in BLU-RAY or HD-DVD and try and find one media outlet that thinks HD-DVD will win now.... It's absolutely staggering the sort of people you can find on the web....

Very few of the HD DVD supporters on this forum have conceded defeat, we did show concern and a little disgust in the way Warner handled the switch (they lied to everyone up until the day they announced).

Most of us are open minded enough to have stated we would buy a Blu-Ray player if and when they actually at least partially finalized the format (1.1?) and got the prices down to reasonable levels with all the neccessary equipment and features installed (something they still have not done).

It is staggering to me anyone can actually think that Blu-Ray has any chance in hell to replace DVD and even really think it is a better format then HD DVD (in maybe a year or two it will as good maybe).

Face it, Blu-Ray is still over priced, lacking features to play things they advertise as being important selling features (lossless audio, extra features on new discs, the soon to come BDlive), it just recently equalled HD DVD in picture quality. Blu-Ray cannot ease the transition from SD to Blu-Ray using the twin or combo disc feature, I know you'll probably say you don't like it and it is a waste of money, but that is probably because Blu-Ray couldn't do it if they wanted to(and believe me if they could you would scream what a great idea it was.

jwebb1970 · 01-14-2008, 11:04 AM

The price cuts + some agressive marketing could actually work in HD DVDs favor.

Market them to HDTV newbies as a solid upconverter that is now priced within range of many upscaling DVD players....and oh yeah....it'll play HD DVDs in 720p/1080i/1080p, too! Toss in 7 free movies (2 in box, 5 via rebate)....it's a rather good deal.

If the HD DVD PG can get a retailer or 2 to pony up a couple of "off thier shelves" HD DVDs for free as well....evn better deal!

Qbfinest83 · 01-14-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwebb1970

The price cuts + some agressive marketing could actually work in HD DVDs favor.

Market them to HDTV newbies as a solid upconverter that is now priced within range of many upscaling DVD players....and oh yeah....it'll play HD DVDs in 720p/1080i/1080p, too! Toss in 7 free movies (2 in box, 5 via rebate)....it's a rather good deal.

If the HD DVD PG can get a retailer or 2 to pony up a couple of "off thier shelves" HD DVDs for free as well....evn better deal!

They should of down this price cut the whole moth of December not now.

drock912001 · 01-14-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Red

They said this last year but I never saw one damn ad on TV. This is a little bit too late, if they would had brought a huge marketing campaign during the holidays, the probably would have sold enough players to keep WB neutral or go HD DVD exlusive.

WB based their decision on other markets.Toshiba has a higher market share in the US for SAL players.If WB based it off US player sales they would have went with HD DVD.

01-14-2008, 10:39 AM	#62
mswoods1 Say whaaaaaat? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 1,370	Oh yeah, anyway - like many people have said (and I agree), the only way for HD DVD to succeed at this point is to market their players as very good upscalers. Unfortunately, they haven't put in Toshiba's new "super upconversion" technology though. I wonder if that'll be in the Gen-4's... I wish their players would have better boot-up times too. Anytime I think about recommending an HD DVD player as a future-proof upscaler player [even before they have an HDTV], I worry about how they'll feel about the boot-up times. __________________ Panasonic PT-AX200U Projector 118" 1.78:1 Carada Projector Screen Toshiba A35 HD DVD Player Pioneer BDP-51FD Blu-ray Player Sony PS3 Xbox 360 TiVoHD (w/750 GB hard drive) Denon AVR-2309CI Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 Center Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 Mains Polk FXi A6's (surrounds) BIC Acoustech H-100 subwoofer Tri-Traps and Acoustic Panels by GIK Acoustics HD DVD: 104 Blu-ray: 126 DVD: ∞

01-14-2008, 10:46 AM	#65
tomes High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,416	I think whether you are red, blue or purple, you can all agree it is good that Toshiba is lowering pricing: -red boys think that it means HDDVD has a chance -blue boys will see increased pressure on BD to lower prices as well -purple will get lower prices (easy to get into HDDVD), plus puts pressure on BD to lower prices (good competition) __________________ The War is OVER!!!!!

01-14-2008, 11:04 AM	#73
jwebb1970 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 368	The price cuts + some agressive marketing could actually work in HD DVDs favor. Market them to HDTV newbies as a solid upconverter that is now priced within range of many upscaling DVD players....and oh yeah....it'll play HD DVDs in 720p/1080i/1080p, too! Toss in 7 free movies (2 in box, 5 via rebate)....it's a rather good deal. If the HD DVD PG can get a retailer or 2 to pony up a couple of "off thier shelves" HD DVDs for free as well....evn better deal! __________________ The Internet is a vast communications tool used the world over where people come together to bitch about movies & share pornography with one another.

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01-14-2008, 10:32 AM	#61
cbcdesign High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Somerset, UK Posts: 1,314	Well since DVD created by Toshiba is by far the biggest of the three formats and the DVD forum decided to support HD DVD to succeed DVD I very much doubt if Toshiba will stop supporting HD DVD in their players for many years. In that regard the format will live a long long time. With the prices they are charging people looking for a dvd player that upscales will seriously look at an HD DVD player. If Toshiba can persuade Universal & Paramount to realease in combo only formats with all their latest releases, this will put millions of high definition disks (HD DVD) in peoples homes in much the same way that Sony put millions of blu-ray players in peoples homes with the PS3. You can pretend that HD DVD is dead because it suits your support of the blu-ray format (Red Baron indeed, why not Blu Baron?) but Toshiba are not about to let the format dies simply because the BDA wishes it. Furthermore since the BDA made a rather foolish error last week by admitting at CES that their format is not yet ready as far as SA are concerned, Toshiba could and should use this to their advantage. I find it interesting that some Blu ray supporters are visibly distressed by Toshiba's show of defiance. This tells a story in itself in my opinion. Lastly, before you have the gall to suggest that HD DVD supporters are lacking morals for continuing to support the format when the BDA have put obsolete players onto the open market and have now publically stated that they are not ready for mass adoption where interactivity and PIP are concerned, (I exclude the PS3 from this statement) you may like to take a long hard look at the state that stand alone blu ray players are in at the moment and therefore the format as a whole before you judge other people.

01-14-2008, 10:43 AM	#64
TheRedBaron 1/4/08 HD IndependenceDay Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 75	Incredibly, reading the last few posts, this does seem to be the hang out for the last few die-hard red zealots who cling on to a distant memory of when HD-DVD had a chance at winning the format war. Doesn't that fact that even most HD-DVD supporters are now conceiding defeat and have largely moved on. Or why not try google news and type in BLU-RAY or HD-DVD and try and find one media outlet that thinks HD-DVD will win now.... It's absolutely staggering the sort of people you can find on the web....

01-14-2008, 10:57 AM	#71
cbcdesign High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Somerset, UK Posts: 1,314	I just don't buy this theory that HD DVD is dead in it's entirety. I agree that the momentum favours Blu-ray as the "Standard" HD format but HD DVD could survive as a format in terms of our ability to play the movies if Toshiba can get enough hardware into peoples homes. I grant you that it may mean releases eventualy stop from the major studios but that doesn't concern me necessarily. At the moment though, Toshiba, Universal, Paramount, Dreamworks and presumably Microsoft are fighting on. They will retain my support for as long as they chose to do so.