Will Onkyo be one and done with HD DVD? Home Cinema Choice article

Chris Gerhard · 02-04-2008, 04:35 AM

I don't know if this player was ever available in the US market, a clone of the HD-XA2, but the small quantity made available to the European market was all that will ever be according to this article.

http://blog.homecinemachoice.com/pag...ing_to_abandon

Chris

Nikopol · 02-04-2008, 05:25 AM

That´s a blog, referring to "a spokesperson close to the company" and "a representative of the company" as sources for the information.

Add phrases like "Toshiba’s desperate attempts", "only real silver lining for HD DVD" or "This isn’t particularly good news for a format struggling to demonstrate industry support" and one comes to the conclusion we are being presented with:

f.u.d. as in fear.uncertainty.doubt, a popular sport for both sides. According to other f.u.d. sources, "HD DVD is dead" and "Blu-ray is evil"....

The Onkyo player has been said to be "discontinued" based on some italien site before, which wasn´t true as well. Until i see something official, i dispute the accurancy of the information in the blog.

hatt · 02-04-2008, 05:28 AM

$696

Seems several places have it on Amazon. Onkyo couldn't have been very happy with Toshiba's deep price cuts.

Chris Gerhard · 02-04-2008, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikopol

That´s a blog, referring to "a spokesperson close to the company" and "a representative of the company" as sources for the information.

Add phrases like "Toshiba’s desperate attempts", "only real silver lining for HD DVD" or "This isn’t particularly good news for a format struggling to demonstrate industry support" and one comes to the conclusion we are being presented with:

f.u.d. as in fear.uncertainty.doubt, a popular sport for both sides. According to other f.u.d. sources, "HD DVD is dead" and "Blu-ray is evil"....

The Onkyo player has been said to be "discontinued" based on some italien site before, which wasn´t true as well. Until i see something official, i dispute the accurancy of the information in the blog.

I see nothing written in the article that is FUD. It is all very reasonable based on the current situation and I believe will be exactly correct, there will never be another Onkyo HD DVD player. Despite your statements, what I have never seen is something from Onkyo indicating any plans for a second player and their one player is certainly no longer being manufactured. It is an HD-XA2 clone which is a great player and one I will look for if any quantity remains when the HD DVD exit strategy is known. It appears it will never approach any price I would pay in any event.

Chris

brenner · 02-04-2008, 06:30 AM

I saw one for sale at Fry's recently. It's a shame this player will see few sales. It has a few things added the XA-2 is missing. I will wait and see if anyone dumps this cheap and try to score one.

Loves2Watch · 02-04-2008, 07:28 AM

I own one of these superlative players. The supply was/is not limited in the US as it is in Europe. Onkyo continues to make this fine player for the US market.

MikeRox · 02-04-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

I don't know if this player was ever available in the US market, a clone of the HD-XA2, but the small quantity made available to the European market was all that will ever be according to this article.

http://blog.homecinemachoice.com/pag...ing_to_abandon

Chris

The article isn't loading at my work, but an Italian distributor reportedly dropped the player last year, and that was translated by the Blu-brigade as Onkyo dropping HD DVD, however it was then confirmed that not only is the player still in production, but that the original Italian distributor was going to continue shipping the product.

Turned out to be more Blu FUD that seems to fly around in greater amounts than passengers on a jumbo jet.

Chris Gerhard · 02-04-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeRox

The article isn't loading at my work, but an Italian distributor reportedly dropped the player last year, and that was translated by the Blu-brigade as Onkyo dropping HD DVD, however it was then confirmed that not only is the player still in production, but that the original Italian distributor was going to continue shipping the product.

Turned out to be more Blu FUD that seems to fly around in greater amounts than passengers on a jumbo jet.

Do you have any evidence that Toshiba is still making the HD-XA2 or Onkyo clone? I sure don't think that is the case. I don't doubt there is new inventory available, but I seriously doubt it is have been manufactured in months.

Chris

Loves2Watch · 02-04-2008, 06:36 PM

All non-believers should go to the Onkyo website and check it out for themselves or better yet, call Onkyo.

Nikopol · 02-05-2008, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeRox

The article isn't loading at my work, [...]

For anyone having trouble accessing the site, here is the full citation:

Quote:

Wednesday January 30, 2008
Is Onkyo planning to abandon HD DVD?

As if the recent Warner Home Video decision wasn’t enough of a blow for the format, the HD DVD camp now appears to be losing the support of one of its few hardware supporters outside of Toshiba. Regularly listed as a major supporter of the format on literature produced by the HD DVD Promotion Group, specialist Japanese hi-fi/AV manufacturer Onkyo finally debuted a standalone HD DVD player towards the end of 2007.

Based around Toshiba’s HD-XE1, Onkyo’s DV-HD805 almost went unnoticed by many in the UK due to the limited numbers of machines brought to the UK market and the fact that, according to the company, the vast majority of these were sold through pre-orders. And it looks like that will be the lot. A spokesperson close to the company has revealed that no further stock will follow, stating, ‘given the current, multiple uncertainties surrounding the Blu-ray vs HD DVD issue Onkyo has decided against bringing any further DV-HD805s to the UK’. This isn’t particularly good news for a format struggling to demonstrate industry support in the wake of recent desertions to the competing Blu-ray format.

But the bad news for the HD DVD camp doesn’t stop there. Toshiba’s strategy throughout the winter of slashing player prices has had a series knock-on effect for other manufacturers. It appears that it is this, more than any other situation that is causing Onkyo to re-evaluate its position in the hi-def format war. Speaking exclusively to HCC, a representative of the company claimed that ‘Onkyo brings its talents to bear where it thinks it can add value to a given product category. If a category becomes commoditised – as this sector shows signs of becoming – there’s less reason to commit huge resources to it when they may be better employed elsewhere’. So it seems that Toshiba’s desperate attempts to drive sales of its HD DVD players to customers by reducing retail prices are also driving hardware manufacturers away from the format, as they see less opportunity to make money in the sector.

The only real silver lining for HD DVD is that, while it might seem unlikely, the company refuses to completely rule out the possibility of another Onkyo player hitting shelves during 2008. All the company will do is tease that it will ‘unveil a new HD source later this year, but cannot confirm at this stage whether it will be a HD DVD, Blu-ray or combi device’.

Please remember, that this is a blog.

Nikopol · 02-05-2008, 03:32 AM

and the rumor makes waves at engadgethd.com:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/05...d-dvd-support/

Quote:

Onkyo giving pause to continued HD DVD support?

Posted Feb 5th 2008 3:26AM by Darren Murph

Sure, we're filing this squarely in the rumor folder for now, but we still felt it prudent to bring to light a number of interesting comments made recently by an Onkyo representative. Reportedly, said rep was quoted by Home Cinema Choice as saying that "given the current, multiple uncertainties surrounding the Blu-ray versus HD DVD issue, Onkyo has decided against bringing any further DV-HD805s to the UK." Additionally, he / she continued on by saying that "if a category becomes commoditized -- as this sector shows signs of becoming -- there's less reason to commit huge resources to it when they may be better employed elsewhere." Granted, we've no idea if a decision made on the other side of the pond will have anything to do with the US, but regardless, another HD DVD supporter falling by the wayside isn't good for the red camp no matter how you slice it.

Super XP · 02-05-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

All non-believers should go to the Onkyo website and check it out for themselves or better yet, call Onkyo.

Done, not happening. They are in support for HD DVD unless the guy on the other line does not know what he is talking about.

They are a of a higher class due to the expenisve player prices. Toshiba's prices should not change that.

oblioman · 02-06-2008, 02:26 AM

The post does bring up an interesting point for both sides. How many CE's are willing to continue to mfg. players at a loss? Are any CE's making a profit on their players at this juncture? Anybody have knowledable info?

Chris Gerhard · 02-06-2008, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oblioman

The post does bring up an interesting point for both sides. How many CE's are willing to continue to mfg. players at a loss? Are any CE's making a profit on their players at this juncture? Anybody have knowledable info?

I have seen reports that Pioneer has managed to make a profit with small manufactured quantity and high prices although not much, but some profit. I am certain that Toshiba has lost a lot and Sony has lost a lot more than Toshiba and other than that I believe all have lost some amount, with LG probably closest to breakeven. Panasonic has built some great players, expensive design, and then been forced to compete with loss leaders from Sony and Toshiba and the result was Panasonic lost money as well.

Chris

BobY · 02-07-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

what I have never seen is something from Onkyo indicating any plans for a second player and their one player is certainly no longer being manufactured.

Chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

Do you have any evidence that Toshiba is still making the HD-XA2 or Onkyo clone? I sure don't think that is the case. I don't doubt there is new inventory available, but I seriously doubt it is have been manufactured in months.

Chris

Chris-

If you ever wonder why people accuse you of spreading FUD, just re-read your last two quotes.

I don't know whether you're opinions on this topic are accurate or not, but are we to believe that because Onkyo has not reported to you that they plan on making any new model HD DVD players and that because you've found no "evidence" that the player is still being manufactured that this proves something?

I didn't realize you were that important that Onkyo updated you on their plans.

One might equally argue that absent a statement from Onkyo that they have no plans to produce any new players and that absent any evidence they have discontinued production of the player, your comments are strictly your interpretation of events and presented as FUD for readers.

02-04-2008, 04:35 AM	#1
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,982	Will Onkyo be one and done with HD DVD? Home Cinema Choice article I don't know if this player was ever available in the US market, a clone of the HD-XA2, but the small quantity made available to the European market was all that will ever be according to this article. http://blog.homecinemachoice.com/pag...ing_to_abandon Chris

02-04-2008, 06:30 AM	#5
brenner HD Rules Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vancouver, USA Age: 58 Posts: 2,006	I saw one for sale at Fry's recently. It's a shame this player will see few sales. It has a few things added the XA-2 is missing. I will wait and see if anyone dumps this cheap and try to score one. __________________ Pioneer Elite Pro FHD-1 LG LSS-3200A Satellite Box Pioneer CLD-97 LD Player w/AC-3 mod Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD player Monitor S series speakers Velodyne Mini-Vee Yamaha RX-V1800 receiver MX-850 Aeros Remote

02-04-2008, 07:28 AM	#6
Loves2Watch Did I Do That? Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Omicron Persei 8 Posts: 16,604	I own one of these superlative players. The supply was/is not limited in the US as it is in Europe. Onkyo continues to make this fine player for the US market. __________________ Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's or Blu-ray players. Main HT Room - Panasonic PT-AE4000U, Draper Premier 119" 16:9 Projector Screen, Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

02-04-2008, 06:36 PM	#9
Loves2Watch Did I Do That? Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Omicron Persei 8 Posts: 16,604	All non-believers should go to the Onkyo website and check it out for themselves or better yet, call Onkyo. __________________ Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's or Blu-ray players. Main HT Room - Panasonic PT-AE4000U, Draper Premier 119" 16:9 Projector Screen, Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

Similar Threads to Will Onkyo be one and done with HD DVD? Home Cinema Choice article
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
AVCHD editing software ?	nounours18200	High Definition Cameras & High Definition Camcorders	78	12-30-2009 09:23 PM
"3 Reasons to Avoid Blu-ray (For Now)"	Lee Stewart	High Definition Media	39	06-11-2008 06:41 PM
HDMI 1.3 - Is It Necessary?	Lee Stewart	High Definition Media	35	01-24-2008 09:40 PM
Why haven't more manufacturers joined HD DVD?	El Despairado	High Definition Media	34	12-28-2007 04:53 PM
How is the format war hurting things for consumers?	mshulman	High Definition Media	127	08-18-2007 08:22 PM
HD DVD off to running start	Cass	HD DVD Players	96	05-15-2006 03:10 PM

02-04-2008, 05:25 AM	#2
Nikopol Uwe Boll's my hero Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maelstrom Blu-rays: 14 Age: 5 Posts: 6,374	That´s a blog, referring to "a spokesperson close to the company" and "a representative of the company" as sources for the information. Add phrases like "Toshiba’s desperate attempts", "only real silver lining for HD DVD" or "This isn’t particularly good news for a format struggling to demonstrate industry support" and one comes to the conclusion we are being presented with: f.u.d. as in fear.uncertainty.doubt, a popular sport for both sides. According to other f.u.d. sources, "HD DVD is dead" and "Blu-ray is evil".... The Onkyo player has been said to be "discontinued" based on some italien site before, which wasn´t true as well. Until i see something official, i dispute the accurancy of the information in the blog.

02-04-2008, 05:28 AM	#3
hatt HD Elitist Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: FL Age: 34 Posts: 5,394	$696 Seems several places have it on Amazon. Onkyo couldn't have been very happy with Toshiba's deep price cuts.

02-06-2008, 02:26 AM	#13
oblioman Possum Tipper at large. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Someville TN Posts: 5,620	The post does bring up an interesting point for both sides. How many CE's are willing to continue to mfg. players at a loss? Are any CE's making a profit on their players at this juncture? Anybody have knowledable info?