Why Has Toshiba Not Released A Blu Ray Player Yet?

PrinceLH · 11-03-2008, 11:55 PM

I wonder why Toshiba has not bitten the bullit and joined the Blu Ray family, as of yet. Toshiba has an ace, if they could get their act together, by making their players dual format. Since they already own the rights to HD DVD, a dual player would be an advantage to them. They could make a splash at CES09, if they could come up with a profile 2.0 Blu Ray player that plays HD DVD's.

PFC5 · 11-04-2008, 12:11 AM

I agree, but I think Toshiba is thinking my help reduce their golden goose of royalties from SD DVD buy showing that even THEY think BD will overtake it, which is what I think many would/could say if they did that. Besides, Sherwood stated they may not make BD players after all because there is too much competition for the current market size so margins are already slim.

I would like Toshiba to make a dual format player myself, but I do not see it happening IF/until BD overtakes SD DVD. Who knows if/when that might happen.

Dare · 11-04-2008, 12:41 AM

The time for a Toshiba dual format player is long gone. The perfect time to strike with that one would have been right after Warner dropped HD-DVD, and before Universal and Paramount followed them. Doing it now is just a waste of time and resources.

iDarren · 11-04-2008, 12:43 AM

Toshiba is still in a war against Blu ray.

11-04-2008, 01:59 AM

It sure doesn't look like Toshiba has plans to release a BD player in the near future. Since they effectively stopped the production of HD DVD players, i doubt they'll pick up production at a later point. Imo if they wanted to provide some "legacy support", they would have continued to offer HD DVD playback in one of their DVD players. So even if the BD market grows so big they have to build a BD player, they might not even include HD DVD playback then.

Chris Gerhard · 11-04-2008, 06:01 AM

The dual format players were a market bust. I picked up both the Samsung BD-UP5000 and LG BH200 for less than half of MSRP and the prices have dropped even further to clear out the remaining inventory since then. Toshiba lost a lot of money, surely over half a billion dollars selling HD DVD players at a loss and I have no reason to believe there is any market for HD DVD/Blu-ray players at cost plus a profit. Toshiba has done some stupid things but I don't expect trying to sell an HD DVD/Blu-ray player will be another. Samsung and LG didn't abandon their upcoming players because there was any viable market, there is none and never will be.

Chris

ack_bak · 11-04-2008, 08:09 AM

Who cares? With Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Denon, Sharp, Samsung, Phillips, LG, Funai, etc all releasing players there is plenty of choice and selection. I don't mind Toshiba products, but I also am not married to Toshiba. I have never considered any Toshiba product to be a top tiered product. They are usually middle of the pack (laptops, HDTV's, DVD players, etc).

ack_bak · 11-04-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

The dual format players were a market bust. I picked up both the Samsung BD-UP5000 and LG BH200 for less than half of MSRP and the prices have dropped even further to clear out the remaining inventory since then. Toshiba lost a lot of money, surely over half a billion dollars selling HD DVD players at a loss and I have no reason to believe there is any market for HD DVD/Blu-ray players at cost plus a profit. Toshiba has done some stupid things but I don't expect trying to sell an HD DVD/Blu-ray player will be another. Samsung and LG didn't abandon their upcoming players because there was any viable market, there is none and never will be.

Chris

I doubt LG or Samsung would have invested the time and money in dual format players had they known the format war would end as quick as it did. After Paramount went HD DVD exclusive last year, I think both companies thought the format war would continue on for much longer.

Chris Gerhard · 11-04-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack_bak

I doubt LG or Samsung would have invested the time and money in dual format players had they known the format war would end as quick as it did. After Paramount went HD DVD exclusive last year, I think both companies thought the format war would continue on for much longer.

The sales of LG's first player were so poor, I am surprised they tried a second time. It was technological success and financial failure and I recall the discussion that making a dual format player that performed well for both formats would be difficult and expensive. LG overcame the technical challenges but not the financial challenge, there was no market for the product. The player is first rate and if it is updated to Profile 2.0, I think will have good value going forward unlike all other HD DVD players. The HD DVD exclusive supporter will become rarer as time passes and some that decide to add Blu-ray are likely to find that player really good. An HD DVD/Blu-ray player is one of those tiniest of tiny niche products but the tiny group that wants one might be willing to pay a fair price at some point in the future. It is obvious by the fact Best Buy has had to clear out their inventory at $240 each that time isn't now.

Chris

**bruceames** · 11-04-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

The sales of LG's first player were so poor, I am surprised they tried a second time. It was technological success and financial failure and I recall the discussion that making a dual format player that performed well for both formats would be difficult and expensive. LG overcame the technical challenges but not the financial challenge, there was no market for the product. The player is first rate and if it is updated to Profile 2.0, I think will have good value going forward unlike all other HD DVD players. The HD DVD exclusive supporter will become rarer as time passes and some that decide to add Blu-ray are likely to find that player really good. An HD DVD/Blu-ray player is one of those tiniest of tiny niche products but the tiny group that wants one might be willing to pay a fair price at some point in the future. It is obvious by the fact Best Buy has had to clear out their inventory at $240 each that time isn't now.

Chris

There's a lot of purple owners out there, so your comment is not accurate. Unless the supply of HD DVD players outlast the discs, there will be future demand for a combo player. Whether that demand is great enough to get a future player to market remains to be seen. Also to consider is that HD player may have better playback in PQ/AQ/performance/features in future models and that HD DVD could look better too and that in itself would create demand even though there's plenty of HD DVD players out there. You never know.

Bravestime · 11-04-2008, 10:49 AM

Toshiba is not going to commit suicide and build a BD player. SD DVDs is their cash cow and they are going to continue to push that. Just like when they released the XDE-500.

I'm sure they will be the last major CEM to build a BD player.

And also, who really cares?

Lee Stewart · 11-04-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravestime

Toshiba is not going to commit suicide and build a BD player. SD DVDs is their cash cow and they are going to continue to push that. Just like when they released the XDE-500.

I'm sure they will be the last major CEM to build a BD player.

And also, who really cares?

The BD Zealots?

Bravestime · 11-04-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

The BD Zealots?

Forgot that.

**bruceames** · 11-04-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

The BD Zealots?

Bingo!

kamspy · 11-04-2008, 11:03 AM

Violet laser phobia? Lack of 1080i spec?(HD-A4 anyone?) Bullish Japanese pride?

Seriously though, I doubt the average consumer even notice's their absence.

11-03-2008, 11:55 PM	#1
PrinceLH It's About The Movies! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belleville, Ontario Posts: 650	Why Has Toshiba Not Released A Blu Ray Player Yet? I wonder why Toshiba has not bitten the bullit and joined the Blu Ray family, as of yet. Toshiba has an ace, if they could get their act together, by making their players dual format. Since they already own the rights to HD DVD, a dual player would be an advantage to them. They could make a splash at CES09, if they could come up with a profile 2.0 Blu Ray player that plays HD DVD's. __________________ Samsung BD UP5000 217 Blu Ray's Toshiba HD A30 & HD D3 175 HD DVD's Latest HD Purchase: 2012

11-04-2008, 12:11 AM	#2
PFC5 Former Super Moderator - RIP Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 38,295	I agree, but I think Toshiba is thinking my help reduce their golden goose of royalties from SD DVD buy showing that even THEY think BD will overtake it, which is what I think many would/could say if they did that. Besides, Sherwood stated they may not make BD players after all because there is too much competition for the current market size so margins are already slim. I would like Toshiba to make a dual format player myself, but I do not see it happening IF/until BD overtakes SD DVD. Who knows if/when that might happen. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

11-04-2008, 12:41 AM	#3
Dare I moon you. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,523	The time for a Toshiba dual format player is long gone. The perfect time to strike with that one would have been right after Warner dropped HD-DVD, and before Universal and Paramount followed them. Doing it now is just a waste of time and resources. __________________ LG GGC-H20L Super Multi Blue Blu-ray & HD DVD ROM Drive 58 Lost count

11-04-2008, 10:49 AM	#11
Bravestime Supporter of HiDef Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Aiken, SC Age: 56 Posts: 4,510	Toshiba is not going to commit suicide and build a BD player. SD DVDs is their cash cow and they are going to continue to push that. Just like when they released the XDE-500. I'm sure they will be the last major CEM to build a BD player. And also, who really cares? __________________ Life is Short, Watch a Movie

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11-04-2008, 12:43 AM	#4
iDarren Hi-Def Junkie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,227	Toshiba is still in a war against Blu ray.

11-04-2008, 01:59 AM	#5
Nikopol Guest Posts: n/a	It sure doesn't look like Toshiba has plans to release a BD player in the near future. Since they effectively stopped the production of HD DVD players, i doubt they'll pick up production at a later point. Imo if they wanted to provide some "legacy support", they would have continued to offer HD DVD playback in one of their DVD players. So even if the BD market grows so big they have to build a BD player, they might not even include HD DVD playback then.

11-04-2008, 06:01 AM	#6
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,789	The dual format players were a market bust. I picked up both the Samsung BD-UP5000 and LG BH200 for less than half of MSRP and the prices have dropped even further to clear out the remaining inventory since then. Toshiba lost a lot of money, surely over half a billion dollars selling HD DVD players at a loss and I have no reason to believe there is any market for HD DVD/Blu-ray players at cost plus a profit. Toshiba has done some stupid things but I don't expect trying to sell an HD DVD/Blu-ray player will be another. Samsung and LG didn't abandon their upcoming players because there was any viable market, there is none and never will be. Chris

11-04-2008, 08:09 AM	#7
ack_bak Hidef Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,560	Who cares? With Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Denon, Sharp, Samsung, Phillips, LG, Funai, etc all releasing players there is plenty of choice and selection. I don't mind Toshiba products, but I also am not married to Toshiba. I have never considered any Toshiba product to be a top tiered product. They are usually middle of the pack (laptops, HDTV's, DVD players, etc).

11-04-2008, 11:03 AM	#15
kamspy Brewers lol Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21,943	Violet laser phobia? Lack of 1080i spec?(HD-A4 anyone?) Bullish Japanese pride? Seriously though, I doubt the average consumer even notice's their absence.