Ladies and Gentlemen we have lift-off. Sub $200 HD-DVD players are here.

[Hulk]

Circuit City

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=9426

Walmart

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=9404

And just in time for the holiday season. I think this will open the flood gates.
If Blu-Ray doesn't respond quickly it will lose this battle.

[Dr Mordrid]

Agreed. The first one to the checkout counter at a low price before the holiday shopping season usually wins.

BluRay could be destined to the same fate as BETA; a lucrative niche market but nowhere near the dollar value that VHS had.

[Jerry Jones]

I would caution anybody thinking about buying a new high definition optical disc player to MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN *before* buying the unit that it will play consumer-recordable high definition optical media.

In other words, if you plan to buy the Toshiba "HD DVD" player, then be sure it will play "HD DVD-R" consumer recordable media.

While the Toshiba units -- I have verified -- will play normal "DVD-R" discs containing high definition "HD DVD" images, I have not had the opportunity to find out if the Toshiba units will play "HD DVD-R" media.

Many of the "Blu-ray Disc" players on the market REFUSE TO PLAY consumer-recordable "BD-R" media.

Since I've decided not to participate in "dead as disco" high definition optical disc formats, I don't have to worry about it personally.

I'll be streaming high definition video to my TVs long before all of the bugs are worked out of the optical disc format war fiasco.



Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Jerry Jones]

"Because HD DVD is a new format that makes use of new technologies, certain disc, digital connection and other compatibility and/or performance issues are possible."

From page 28 of the PDF manual for the Toshiba HD-A2.

Link to the PDF file:

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-images/models/HD-A2/docs/HD-A2KU_E.pdf

On page 28, the only compatible disc types that are listed are as follows:

1. HD DVD video disc
2. DVD video disc
3. Audio CD
4. DVD-RW
5. DVD-R
6. CD-RW
7. CD-R

...and that's all that is officially supported.

Now maybe this player also supports "DVD+R" and "DVD+RW" and maybe this player supports "HD DVD-R" and other non-listed disc types.

I suppose firmware upgrades might allow for disc types beyond those officially listed in the manual.

But this is definitely another typical "BUYER BEWARE" situation for consumers.

WATCH OUT.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Dr Mordrid]

Of course if your burner can set the HD DVD booktype HD DVD-R/+R could work.

Also; the HD REC extension was approved by the DVD Forum on September 12, 2007. HD REC allows storing HD content on regular red laser DVDs using H.264 AVC.

There's also this method;

Nero Ultimate 7 edition:

First create your HD DVD folders.

1) Open Nero Burning Rom.
2) From “New Compilation” Window scroll down to DVD-ROM (UDF) and select it.
3) Click on the Multisession tab
4) Click “No Multisession”
5) Click on the “UDF” Tab
6) In the Options combo box click on Manual settings (advanced users only)
7) In the File System version: combo box click on the UDF 2.5 (NOT 2.6!)
8) Click New
9) Add your folders; ADV_OBJ and HVDVD_TS
10) Click Burn

[Hulk]

It would be nice if the $200 players played the user burned discs but for 99% of the people I believe they're going to just play commercially recorded discs so it won't be much of an issue.

I have read rumors that "Black Friday" may show the first $99 HD-DVD players. If this is true then people (like me) may buy them NOT as investments but just to try out the format.

[wkulecz]

If you go way back in the forum, you'll recall I bought a Toshiba DVD player when they were "only" $250 in anticipation of DVD-R and low and behold the thing could not play burned disks!

I won't be first this time around. I'm not really that interested in Hollywood movies.

--wally.

[Jerry Jones]

If you go way back in the forum, you'll recall I bought a Toshiba DVD player when they were "only" $250 in anticipation of DVD-R and low and behold the thing could not play burned disks!

I won't be first this time around. I'm not really that interested in Hollywood movies.

--wally.

Exactly.

I don't wish to be harsh, but I sincerely believe the high definition DVD manufacturers should lower the price of these players to less than $100.

I'm sorry, but much of this stuff is worthless electronic junk.

In fewer than 12 months, it will be widely regarded as obsolete.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Hulk]

In fewer than 12 months, it will be widely regarded as obsolete.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

That is of course unless you are still using and enjoying it.

For example. I would consider a P4 useless junk but many people are happily using them productively so I cannot make that statement for OTHER PEOPLE. It would be quite misguided.

[Jerry Jones]

I don't wish to be harsh, but I sincerely believe the high definition DVD manufacturers should lower the price of these players to less than $100.

Hmmmm.

They must be reading my comments:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/toshiba-hd-a2-hd-dvd-player-100-this-friday-wal-mart/

...some (not all!) Wal-Mart locations will be selling Toshiba HD-A2s for $100 -- down from $200 -- this Friday.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Hulk]

$99 HD-DVD player price confirmed but it looks to be a bait the customer into the store item.

Still, pricing this low this fast is crazy enough to bring disco back!

[Elie]

I'll buy one as well, $99 is worth it and I think will kill Blu-Ray if Sony doesn't act fast.

I wonder if it will playback at 1080P though? Or is it one of those, you get what you pay for deals?

[Jerry Jones]

I wonder if it will playback at 1080P though?

Nope.

http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/toshiba-hd-a2/4505-6463_7-32074340.html

No 1080p output

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Elie]

Thanks Jerry, yeah it sux it can't play 1080P while the A1 can. Also the upscaling capabilities are not up to the quality of the XA2 which is more money.

I'll hold off for now.

Regards,
Elie

[paulw]

Thanks Jerry, yeah it sux it can't play 1080P while the A1 can. Also the upscaling capabilities are not up to the quality of the XA2 which is more money.

I'll hold off for now.

Regards,
Elie

As my TV only works at 720P / 1080i then it's acidemic what the player output is..