Toshiba Cuts HD DVD Player Prices

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/29/toshiba-maintains-hd-dvd-promotional--prices/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/29/toshiba-maintains-hd-dvd-promotional--prices/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Toshiba has reportedly announced a final decision to stick with the prices seen in recent promotional deals. More specifically, the company stated that the MSRP on the high-end HD-XA2 would sink to $799 (versus close to $1,000 before), while the mid-range HD-A20 would instantly become $100 more affordable after dropping to $399, and both of these units are set to receive 24p output through an update scheduled for September. The most attractive option (that would be the HD-A2), however, will soon be listed for a mere $299."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/cgg-toshhd-06292007.jpg" /><br /><br />It will be interesting to see how others react to this price cut. With a standalone unit available for $299, Microsoft's HD drive for the 360 does not look like as much of a bargain and the Blu-ray continues to look awful pricey.

[Doug Johnson]

I believe that $199 is the magic number for a lot of folks. Though $299 is starting to sound a little more attractive.

For me, since I already have the 360's add-on drive, I'm not really tempted by a $299 HD-DVD player just yet. If Blu-ray were to come down to $299 I'd start to think about maybe contemplate weighing the decision of picking one of those up so I can get a few of those movies that aren't available on HD-DVD. But still, I think $199 is the magic number before we start to see significant sales of either format. When one drops to $149 I believe the general population might start to think about going HD instead of DVD. Once one format hits $99, it's all over for the other unless they're really close behind.