Breaking News: HD DVD First to Break $100 Barrier!

[Jeremy Charette]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=9498' target='_blank'>http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=9498</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Believe it or not Wal-Mart is advertising that it will sell the Toshiba HD-A2 this Friday for $98.87. The holiday-themed ad calls the sale this Friday the “Secret In-Store Specials.” The Toshiba HD-A2 is asterisked with the notes saying that the product may not be available in all stores and that it will be while quantities last – suggesting that there could be a limited number set aside as a “doorcrasher” item."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/6475_Wal-Mart_HDA2.jpg" /><br /><br />Wow. Did not see this coming. Better still, this is not a no-name off brand player, but the reputable Toshiba HD-A2. Also of note is that they are selling HD DVD discs for under $15, the other price barrier I have been talking about. Unfortunately for me Wal-Mart stores are few and far between in the NY Metro area, but if you live anywhere near one, clear your calendar and get up early tomorrow morning!

[Jason Dunn]

Both the HD-DVD and Blu-ray camps are getting desperate because Joe Consumer is just NOT picking up these next-gen DVD formats...

[Jon Childs]

I was going to hold out for a dual-mode player when I upgrade from my current 1080i to 1080p display, but for 98 bucks they have hit my impulse buy threshold. Now if I can just convince my wife that she needs to stop at Wal-Mart during her black friday shopping frenzy so I don't have to wait in line I should be all set.

[Jason Dunn]

Now if I can just convince my wife that she needs to stop at Wal-Mart during her black friday shopping frenzy so I don't have to wait in line I should be all set.

That's a wise strategy - if she says yes you have a good wife there. ;-)

[Chris Gohlke]

This sale is not on the traditional black Friday. It is tomorrow, November 2nd.

[Felix Torres]

Yes, it is.
And it turns out the 22-per-store number is in fact a minimum.
They had plenty at my location and they were rolling another dozen or so as I stood in line.
The Laptops were tempting but I'm not quite in the market yet.

Scariest thing I heard while in the (fast-moving line); "They're going to do this every friday til New Year's."

Also heard some BB's and CC's were price-matching.

As for BD:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/sonyprice110107.htm
They can't undercut the PS3 so $399 is their floor.

Gotta remember, this is not just about picking a preferred format; a dirt-cheap HD-DVD player not only draws in the mid-and-low end buyers; it also allows PS3 and BD fans to go neutral. So it counters studio exclusivity where the golden eyeballs home theater crowd is concerned. And, if the high-end buyers are format neutral, the low-end buyers will get to call this race.

Verrrry interrrestink.... :)

[Jon Childs]

This sale is not on the traditional black Friday. It is tomorrow, November 2nd.

So it is.

Unfortunately they were all sold out by 8:20 at my local Wal-Mart and all the others within driving distance were sold old by the time I got back home to check. Looks like $100 is indeed a magic price point. HD-DVD selling a hundred thousand or so today doesn't seem like good news for Blu-Ray.

[Jeremy Charette]

Quick back of the napkin math:

Wal-Mart has over 4000 stores in the US.

Assume they all sold through the 22 unit minimum allocation.

Thats...88,000 HD DVD players. At this pace (if Toshiba keeps offering them at this price point), HD DVD will double or triple the installed base of players before Christmas. That could put them on par with the PS3. 8O

[Jason Dunn]

Wal-Mart has over 4000 stores in the US. Assume they all sold through the 22 unit minimum allocation. Thats...88,000 HD DVD players.

It's really interesting to watch this play out - I can't wait to hear what the numbers are at after this holiday season...