Cheapest high-def player now $299, but the question remains - will you be left with a lemon?
Blu-Ray may be winning the support of movie studios, but the HD-DVD route could be by far the cheapest if today’s price cuts are anything to go by.
Toshiba today slashed the Australian price of its HD-DVD movie players, following a similar announcement overseas. The cheapest player HD-E1 now retails for $299 (including a free movie, and 2 more via redemption), $100 cheaper than the previous price.
The price cuts on Toshiba’s pricier HD-DVD players are even more drastic. The HD-EP10, which includes 6 free movies (5 via redemption), 1080p HD-DVD and 1080p upscaled DVD and HDMI, is now half price at $399 (previously $699 after cashback offer).
The price cut is also massive on the top of the line HD-XE1, which has dropped from $1,299 to $599, including 11 free movies (10 via redemption). The HD-XE1 includes 1080p output, plus 5.1 channel audio output.
While free movies might be enticing, the big question for anyone considering HD-DVD is whether they’ll be left with the poorest choice of movies in the longterm. Warner Brothers dealt another blow to HD-DVD recently, choosing Blu-Ray discs for its high definition movies. Toshiba still has Universal Home Video, Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks in its camp.
Judging by today’s move by Toshiba, the confusion is set to continue, with more HD-DVD marketing in the works. “Toshiba remains firm in its belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer,” a representative said.
Meanwhile PC makers have their own solution to the confusion – dual format drives that can play both types of disc. HP will release its first dual format machine this month, while Medion and Acer are also selling similar machines.