Login:
Password:
Lost Password?
Print this article  |  E-mail this article  |  Comment on this article

Toshiba Ships Low-Cost 1080p HD DVD Player

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

April 11, 2007, 4:24 PM

Toshiba said Wednesday that shipments of its HD-A20 HD DVD player had begun. The player is the first of the high-definition players, either Blu-ray or HD DVD, to offer 1080p resolution at a sub-$500 price point. The player will include an HDMI interface which Toshiba says could upconvert standard DVDs to near-HD quality, as well as standard interactivity and networking capabilities.

Over 900,000 HD DVD discs have been sold to date, Toshiba says, and 70 new titles are scheduled to be released between now and July. In an effort to continue the momentum, the company has announced a promotion that offers five free discs from a selection of 15 via a mail in-offer. Available titles include The Chronicles of Riddick, Constantine, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and U-571.

Add a Comment (131 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

Name (required):

E-mail (required):

Enter Your Comment:

By Hocuspokus

posted Apr 16, 2007 - 7:40 AM

These Toshiba HD-DVD players are very high quality and value for the spec & performance.

Some people are quite happy to pay this kind of money (and more) on just SD DVD players.

According to the reviews not only are the Toshibas excellent at HD their upscaling and playback of SD DVD is exceptional and totally comparable with the most expensive high quality SD DVD players.

We are not talking mere kiddies/adolescent's 'games console' stuff here and they beat all 7 shades out of any BD stand-alone player.

Score: 0

By DaveBG

edited Apr 13, 2007 - 10:58 AM

hd dvd is obsolete because it relys on old technology
thats why they slash price...
http://hidefdvdempire.bl...vd-to-rally-troops.html

its because of the slow sales of hd dvd:
http://www.eproductwars.com/dvd/
http://www.dvdempire.com...Features/hidef_wars.asp
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/564

Score: 0

By Steve Austin

posted Apr 14, 2007 - 6:10 AM

I wouldn't say HD-DVD is old technology (it still uses the same Blue laser as Blu-Ray), but it has made design decisions which don't benefit the consumer, and HD-DVD is stuck in the corner with nowhere to go.

These price drops are desperate attempts to win a match they have no way of winning. Lets look at the facts:

Blu-Ray has over 3.5 million players worldwide (vast majority PS3, but it's been proven that PS3 owners DO buy Blu-Ray movies, the media dominance since PS3 shipped shows this).

HD-DVD has 250,000 players, including the 360 addon worldwide.

Blu-Ray has the backing of virtually everyone in the buisness, except Universal, who will get increasiningly itchy feet, as that 9:2 media outselling ratio creeps higher....

Toshiba were already losing over $200 a unit on the last HD-A2, price dropping like this only INCREASES their losses per unit, and unlike Sony and the PS3, they have no media sales revenue streams to win that lost money back, as they are simply just a hardware manufacturer..

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 13, 2007 - 8:35 PM

....WDF are you babbling on about Dave? HD-DVD is not old technology. If it is old technology then I guess Blu-Ray is too? They were made at the same time....Are we grasping at straws?

Score: 0

By Steve Austin

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 12:33 PM

HD-DVD in Crisis, they have to slash the price to sell units...

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 2:45 PM

@Steve - HD DVD has always been selling significantly more stand alone players than Blu-ray. The Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player, however, has had its price slashed because nobody was buying them, even at the 'low price' of around $500. And guess what, even with Samsung's price cut, they still aren't selling very well at all. People are flocking to HD DVD, and for good reason.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 1:58 PM

LOL. My IQ dropped just from reading that comment.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:01 PM

IQ?!? What's that?

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 12:52 PM

They didn't just slash the price. They released a new lower cost model. That is how it works you know, products come down in price over time. AMD and Intel both cut prices on their high end CPUs recently...oh no I guess no one is buying them!

Score: 0

By Steve Austin

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:13 PM

Unless Sony drop the Price of the PS3 of course, then it's "PS3 in crisis, slashing price to boost sales"..

Seems fanboys like Alex want it both ways, and twist the facts to suit today's argument..

Bottom line, is HD-DVD is getting slaughtered in sales.

The latest top 10 sellers, 9 Blu-Ray titles, 1 single HD-DVD..

Blu-Ray across the board is outselling HD-DVD 4:1 now...

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/564

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 4:59 PM

No, if the PS3 dropped in price it would be the result of the cost of components coming down. You like to put words in people's mouths don't you. I suppose the only way you have of winning any arguments is to make them up though. How sadly lame.

Even funnier, you then call me a fanboy while going on a rant about how HD-DVD is getting slaughtered and links to sales figures, etc. Ever hear the story about the pot and the kettle?

Score: 0

By DaveBG

posted Apr 13, 2007 - 11:05 AM

I really enjoy how the Toshiba shills try to force hd dvd players in the people throats!

Hopefully its not working:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/564

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 14, 2007 - 1:40 AM

Just like Sony forcing Blu-Ray with the PS3?

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 15, 2007 - 5:53 AM

And Dave runs away again!

Score: 0

By Niro

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 10:34 AM

Hey I just came across some new information (thanks lard!). Forget HD-DVD and other blu-ray players, the PS3 has a JAVA logo ON THE BOX! So no need to buy anything else, just buy a PS3!

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 10:37 AM

@Niro -- All Blu-ray players play the "outdated" BD-J specification. The problem is with the new spec coming out on October 31. Current stand alone players are not upgradable, and there is no guarantee from Sony that the PS3 will be fully upgradable either. Now THAT'S scary.

Score: 0

By Joey Deacon

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 11:59 AM

Nice FUD there.

On what basis are you basing your fact that it WON'T be upgradable?

The fact is we don't know, and given what we do know:

PS3 is a software based player, that's not going to be replaced by another product in the shortterm. It's almost certain it WILL be updated to play the new BD-J spec.

What is SCARY is there are people that actually believe the FUD spread by a few of the 200,000 HD-DVD owners...

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 2:49 PM

@Joey - Well, let's see. In order to be compliant with the new BD-J spec, players will need to have either 256MB or 1GB of memory for persistent storage. Hmmm, a firmware upgrade won't do that. They also need to have two decoders for true Picture-in-Picture. Hmmm, a firmware upgrade won't do that either. You can call it FUD all you like, but anybody with half a brain cell knows that it is FACT. Current stand alone Blu-ray players will NOT be compliant with the new BD-J spec with a firmware upgrade.

Score: 0

By Steve Austin

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:19 PM

Well PS3 has at least 20GB of persistent storage, so there is a tick there. Because it's decoder is software based on the Cell, it's also flexible enough to handle as many decoders as needed, so that's a tick there also.

Whilst your statement about some players not being able to do it, I would also say the PS3 is about the most future-proof hardware on the market right now. Most players have dedicated chipsets to handle the decoding, the PS3 is all done by the Cell in realtime.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 12:46 PM

On what basis are you basing your fact that it WON'T be upgradable?

He didn't say that it WOULD NOT be upgradeable, he said that there is no guarantee that it will be and he's right. Do you always make stuff up so you can attack people's posts?

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 12:03 PM

Tell me about it. I just looked all over my 360 and it doesn't seem to have a java log on the box. I'm pretty upset about it...I'm going try to sell it on ebay before others discover this disturbing news and get myself a future proof PS3 with a java log on the box ASAP.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 12:30 PM

My computer doesn't have a java logo either, I am so mad! From now on before I buy a new computer, TV, dishwasher or whatever I'm going to make sure it has one of those java logos on it. That must be why Windows Vista is dead, I don't think they have a java logo on it's box either.

Score: 0

By Steve Austin

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:20 PM

I think they were prevented from distributing Java many years back by Sun, after hacking it to suit their own needs...

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 5:03 PM

Who is they? I suppose you mean Microsoft? First of all Microsoft did not build my computer, and second of all I was being sarcastic genius. I guess you didn't pick up on that, even with the dishwasher part. Wow...

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 10:38 AM

I know...it was sarcasm, it's hard to portray that properly in posts sometimes. :)

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 3:10 AM

Let me know when the $200 players are on the shelves. I'll spend that much on a high def player, but add in player and the still high price of 1080p displays it just isn't worth it to get one.

Score: 0

By foxfyre

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 3:56 AM

Amen

But how do you maintain your composure at not being able to watch Laura Croft: Tomb Raider!?!?!?!?!

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:06 AM

Oooh... Angelina Jolie in HD? hmmmmm... *scratches chin* I hadn't thought of it that way yet! Let me check my bank balance and get to Best Buy first thing in the morning. :)

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 9:26 AM

Jessica Alba could kick her *** any day of the week. :p

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 2:30 PM

Right you are there...She is smoking hot.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 2:51 PM

Back off, playah...she's mine. :p

Score: 0

By siryak

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 6:50 PM

Hey now...You stay away from my woman. I got a keyboard and I ain't afraid to use it!!!

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 13, 2007 - 7:22 AM

See, while you all fight over here, I'm free and clear to go after Angelina Jolie! :) Woohoo!

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 13, 2007 - 8:37 PM

Jessica Alba > Angelina Jolie any day.

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 14, 2007 - 12:38 AM

I'm not debating that. I'm just thinking that fighting off 20 other guys or going after someone nobody else is chasing... I've got it easy. :)

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 10:46 PM

OOHHHH, i wanna work for Sony too. Are they compensating public bloggers / posters better than MS?

Score: 0

By jrbrewin

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 6:55 AM

toshiba.... microsoft...
they aint the same, bud.

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 8:47 AM

I'm pretty sure he's making reference to the PS3 and 360 "fanboy" posts below.

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 9:47 PM

Keith Lard cries when he jerks off.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 8:12 AM

Careful, Metshrine will run and tell on you. :D

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 6:06 PM

Oh my! =0

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:44 AM

Why even bother insulting him with personal attacks? You only motivate him to post something more ridiculous because he got you upset. You also put your own posting privileges at risk for no benefit.

Score: 0

By Skyfrog

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 7:53 PM

Well I came to say congrats to Toshiba only to find that Keith Lard is trolling and messing up the whole thread again. What a worthy member to Betanews. At least he is getting owned as usual.

Anyway it's good to see a new lower cost HD player on the market, and lots of new titles coming.

Score: 0

By Keith Lard

edited Apr 11, 2007 - 5:07 PM

Woo, more than a PS3... Why waste your cash on something that will be a doorstop by xmas?

Does it do HDMI 1.3?
Does it do TrueHD?

Apparently not...

Score: 0

By foxfyre

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 3:54 AM

You might add to your list:

Is the XBox360 selling? Yup...

Is Sony making a profit on the PS3 units? Nope - or at the very least, not a substantial profit.

Is the XBox360 doing much better in the strategic marketing space than PS3? Yup...

Has the continued success of PS2 and Wii taught Sony anything about the marketing of big expensive consoles that offer only a few games and a fancy DVD player for use on 1080p TVs that few have?

Apparently not...to coin a phrase.
But let's not stop there...

Who has crippled the backwards compatibility of their European units in an effort to try to stop the hemorrhaging of costs?

Whose units are sitting on the shelves while the Wii is still sold out?

Whose old school platform is generating more profits than their new whizzbang platform that everyone was supposed to embrace without question?

And who has 'The Chronicles of Ridd***' and 'Laura Croft: Tombraider' as COMPELLING (ROFLMAO) HD titles to watch over and over on their overpriced consoles? Titles that failed to sell even in theaters or on standard DVD? Whoopee!!!

Yup, Sony!

Whine and jump up and down all you like, the niche that the XBox360 and the PS3 play is a marginal one at best. Who cares... And all of the debate over them simply contributes to the noise floor.

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 5:01 AM

You really have no points at all.

"Is Sony making a profit on the PS3 units? Nope"

Sony is not making a profit. Microsoft is not making a profit. Nintendo is not making a profit. None of them will for a while yet.

"Whose units are sitting on the shelves while the Wii is still sold out?"

I see all three on shelves. The Wii is out selling the other two but none are sold out.

"Whose old school platform is generating more profits"

The old consoles will always generate more profits than the newly launched console. The new consoles don't provide a return on investment until many units and games are sold.

"And who has *snip* HD titles"

Since that's not exclusive BD titles what's the point? Heck you even quote titles that are listed in this article about HD-DVD.

"Who cares..."

Apparently plenty of people care. To be specific the gamers care, some of them care far too much. I still hold out some hope that Sony will win in the console war, but I'm currently more likely to buy a 360 than a PS3 because I want the best gaming experience possible for my buck. Right now Microsoft has that. I don't count Wii as an option because I demand HD, that's my choice and I'm waiting for prices to come where I want them first.

So even if I have wanted Blu-ray to win, this is still good news for me to see. In the end I just want more HD bang for my buck. :)

Score: 0

By foxfyre

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 2:33 PM

"Heck you even quote titles that are listed in this article about HD-DVD."

Really? I did? Duh, you dimwit!

Spoken like a true Sony fanboy. But he referred to an HD-DVD title! Oh no!

A typical gameboy/fanboy rant as opposed to looking at the issue from a strategic marketing point of view.

Unfortunately, their total percentage of the market is not that impressive. And while you can rave that its all good, the high end platforms are not having the revolutionary impact that some had hoped.

And who cares if a game is HD? I really don't care if I can see their nose hairs any more than I care if I can see Oprah's! And just like HD television, we are still limited by the program material - now several hundred channels of he same old sh!t. Whoopee.

You need to do more than read the gamer fantazines.

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 13, 2007 - 6:27 AM

"Really? I did?"

How can you degrade one technology based on something both have?

"Spoken like a true Sony fanboy."

I admit to being very partial to Sony. I also stated I am more likely to NOT buy into Sony with the recent console war as I did in the previous PS2 vs X-box. I'm going to play with the enemy willingly and happily because... well their stuff just looks more fun! So I am looking at it from a marketing point of view and taking my time to allow that market to mature before I join it.

"total percentage of the market is not that impressive."

The only thing you've said in the last couple posts that I do agree with.

"And who cares if a game is HD?"

As stated previously, I do. I'm the one who is going to buy a gaming system for the high def graphics. That's my choice since it is my money.

You need to re-read my post and read your own. You have points that can be made, but not with the information you used to back them up.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 7:04 AM

Actually Nintendo does make a profit on every Wii sold. I believe Microsoft has been making a profit on the 360 for quite some time now though I'm not positive.

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 8:00 AM

Then I stand corrected on the Wii with that one regard. Thanks. My points above still remain the same that the previous poster's points were all invalid. He was placing PS3 vs 360. :)

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:20 PM

The 360 is making a profit now, about $70. http://www.techspot.com/...-xbox-360-hardware.html

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 13, 2007 - 6:28 AM

That is actually even better news. Too bad for Sony, but this is good for the high def game market in general. Since I have not put my money on either horse yet I've got a chance to still bet on the one that will win. :)

Score: 0

By Joey Deacon

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 7:24 AM

Microsoft are still taking a loss on the 360 and the HD-DVD drive. Nowhere near as much as Sony, but a loss

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:19 PM

No, sorry. There making a profit now, about $70. http://www.techspot.com/...-xbox-360-hardware.html

Score: 0

By Steve Austin

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 12:42 PM

Nintendo are making a loss also. Not much, but then relative to the RRP of the console, it's quite a large loss.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 12:54 PM

No, they most certainly are not. Every Wii is sold at a small profit.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 8:06 AM

Ok, I wasn't sure. Maybe I was thinking of the original xbox.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:19 PM

Actually you were right. There making a profit of about $70 now.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 5:04 PM

Thanks, I haven't really been following that closely so I wasn't sure.

Score: 0

By kashin

edited Apr 11, 2007 - 9:48 PM

What you Sony zealots don't seem to understand is that the home theater and video gaming are two very separate markets. No matter how desperately Sony tries to tie them together, it's not going to happen anytime soon. The PS3 is a lose-lose for Sony. On one hand, it's a much too expensive gaming device that little Johnny and his 9 to 5 parents simply can't afford. On the other hand, as a cheap next generation multimedia device, it creates huge losses for Sony.

Console manufacturers traditionally take a hit on the hardware, and make their money back + profit on the software. As a console, the PS3 is too expensive and you would have to buy many games (I forget what the attach rate is, but it's the highest in video game history) just for Sony to break even. That's not even mentioning the lack of quality games for the PS3. Why buy a PS3 when you can buy the Xbox360 + several games (same ones as PS3) for the same price?

If bought as a low-cost Blu-Ray player, you would still have to buy 30+ titles before Sony starts making a profit. Again, there's the lack of quality titles and the fact that DVD is still king. Let's be realistic, neither HD-DVD nor Blu-Ray are pulling in stellar numbers.

Then there's the very small segment of rich kids and yuppies who buy the PS3 for playing both games and BD titles. That small segment isn't going to save the sinking ship we call Sony.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 11, 2007 - 6:38 PM

Wow, you're still here. I figured after being humiliated for your stupidity in the Halo 3 thread you might disappear with the rest of your fanboy buddies. I guess even they got tired of kissing Kutaragi's butt all the time.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 7:33 PM

I know you would think he would get tired of being proven wrong over and over again.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 7:35 PM

Maybe it's a fetish and he likes being ridiculed and made a fool of.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 8:14 PM

He got his wish then lol.

Score: 0

By RedBoar

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 6:13 PM

Your god Sony has dropped the ball before, and this ball may bankrupt them. Sorry.

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

edited Apr 11, 2007 - 8:11 PM

@Keith - You must be talking about Blu-ray players. Buy one today, door stop tomorrow.

http://www.dvdtown.com/n...ues-saynotoblu-ray/4407

By the way, the HD-A20 does do Dolby TrueHD. This is mandatory in all HD DVD players, unlike Blu-ray.

Score: 0

By Keith Lard

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 6:13 PM

HD-A20 does not have HDMI 1.3,

http://reviews.cnet.com/...05-6463_7-32306255.html

So how does it output TrueHD audio? I can't via optical, nor can it via HDMI... Perhaps it does it by magic??

Score: 0

By kashin

edited Apr 11, 2007 - 9:51 PM

Blu-Ray is great.. except for the fact they don't have a finalized standard yet. Sony and the BD gang are moving the goal posts again. Buy a BD player today and find out 6 months from now that you're no longer fully compliant. Oops.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 6:08 PM

Lol what is the deal. This post has been here forever and not one Sony Cheerleader has responded...It's almost like they are avoiding it! *gasp*

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 7:20 PM

Seriously who gives a flying **** about TrueHD audio. I would be willing to bet that the VERY large majority of people could not tell the difference. Also as stated below HD-DVD can do TrueHD, which shows that you are yet again spouting BS.

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 9:49 PM

I agree, true HD audio is the least important thing to most people. 99% of all people couldnt tell you the difference between HD audio and a 128kb MP3 file.

Keith, you are one serious moron. I bet you don't own a PS3 or a BD player just like Davey. Scumbags.

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 6:52 PM

Keith Lard, are you for real? Do you think that HDMI 1.3 is needed in order to hear TrueHD audio? Go back and learn the basics of HD DVD and Blu-ray, and then make an informed decision. What you're spewing right now is, well, a bunch of lard.

http://www.abccables.com/info-hdmi-1-3-truehd.html

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 6:28 AM

It's a sub $400 player, do you really think the people this is targeted at give a rats a** about TrueHD or even know what that is? This is why Sony fails, they have no grip on reality. If low end players had all the features of their high end models, that would be rather pointless wouldn't it. I'm sure you probably still believe that overpriced POS called a PS3 is a great buy. That is why they are rotting on the store shelves.

Edit: Well from the post above it appears you are wrong about TrueHD anyway. Big surprise.

You are nothing more than a brainwashed Sony sheep bleating about how great they are because apparently it fills some kind of void in your pathetic life. We understand you like Sony, but nobody here cares. So in other words, stop embarrassing yourself.

That is unless you have any more really funny claims like how Vista died a horrible death. I must admit I do enjoy those, stupidity is so entertaining sometimes. :D

Score: 0

By Keith Lard

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 6:53 PM

For $100 more, you can get a 20GB PS3 that does HDMI 1.3, TrueHD, and futurproof, Blu-Ray 50GB, game console..

What fool would spend $400 on a single purpose device that does not do it's single purpose very well (compare the startup times of even the best HD-DVD drive to a PS3, and it will lose by at least a minute).

This is a last ditch attempt by Toshiba to break te market, but it can't afford to subsidise much more (it's already losing over $200 per machine, with no revenue stream to win it back).

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

edited Apr 11, 2007 - 8:15 PM

@ Keith Lard -- The 20GB PS3 has been discontinued Sherlock. The cost of entry into Blu-ray is $599 (plus the cost of the remote, plus the cost of an HDMI cable, plus the cost of movies) unless you want a crap Blu-ray player like the "please buy me" Samsung BD-P1000. You're looking at spending at least $700 for this. The cost of entry into HD DVD is $299 for the HD-A2 (which comes with a free HDMI cable if you buy from Value Electronics and 5 free HD DVD movies from Toshiba. Oh yeah, it comes with a REMOTE too).

Read: http://www.joystiq.com/2...b-is-officially-no-more/

Looks like Sony was bleeding too much. They don't lose as much by selling the 60GB PS3.

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 8:02 AM

In all fairness I do want to point out that the discontinuation of the 20GB model is a very recent announcement by Sony. Hopefully we all saw it coming when we saw hints of the larger (120 I think it was) drive model coming later this year.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 6:27 AM

The PS3 is a game console. Consumers who want to buy home theater equipment do not buy consoles no matter how much BS you and Sony spew about them. What fool would pay $100 more when all they want to do is watch movies?

By the way, Sony doesn't even sell the 20GB PS3 anymore. It was only available in NA and now it has been pulled here too.* Oh darn, there are those pesky facts ruining all your fantasies again. Meanwhile the remaining 60 GB models continue to sit on store shelves gathering dust. Too bad...

* http://www.joystiq.com/2...b-is-officially-no-more/

Score: 0

By Keith Lard

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 3:01 AM

"Consumers who want to buy home theater equipment"

Perhaps true when talking about lame USB connected accessories to a console that's as quiet as a tornado. However in this case, the PS3 Blu-Ray player outclasses everything else on the market, including the dedicated standalones, both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD..

"the quality of playback exceeds that of many current standalone Blu-ray and HD DVD players"

http://www.hometheaterma...playstation3/index.html

http://www.guidetohometh.../1206ps3blu/index3.html

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 9:00 PM

Do you even read the links you post??? Ok the 2nd one talks about how much better it is than current stand alone Blu-Ray players. No where in there does he say it is better than the Blu-Ray players. He only talks of HD-DVD a few times and when he does he says there is little if any difference.

Also your first link doesn't even work at all. It just goes to the hometheatermag.com home page.

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

edited Apr 11, 2007 - 8:05 PM

@Keith -- 'exceeds that of many current standalone Blu-ray and HD DVD players' -- except, for example, the Toshiba HD-XA2 which is currently the BEST high-definition player right now, period. And you can buy it for LESS than even the 60GB PS3! How you like them apples?

Bottom line, HD DVD has MUCH better players, better price, better value, that has had a finalized spec from the start. Is The Matrix for Blu-ray available yet btw? :P

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 7:42 PM

Keith Keith Keith....Here you go spouting BS again. I have read "several" reports stating that the drive was whisper quiet.

Links:
http://www.sportsgamer.c...d-add-on-impressions-30/
http://www.firingsquad.c...icle.asp?searchid=12498

Any other BS you want to spout today?

Score: 0

By Keith Lard

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 3:03 AM

Are you really suggesting the 360 is quiet, and suitable for home cinema??

That's funny...

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:32 PM

I should of known you don't own a 360. What makes the 360 loud is when the DVD drive spins when your playing games. When your on the dashboard it's not that loud.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 6:11 PM

Actually I have read reports that the newer Benq drives are much quieter now then the others. I have the loudest of the all(Hitachi drive), and I can watch a movie on it and not even notice it at all. I also don't notice it while playing games.

Also I have seen some vids of the PS3 and it wasn't exactly quiet either.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 15, 2007 - 5:57 AM

Yeah, DVD's and original Xbox games it's not that loud. It's the loudest when playing new 360 games. I noticed though that on some 360 games it's not constantly spinning though too.

But I didn't know they had one with a new drive in it. That's cool.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 1:57 PM

Are you suggesting the PS3 is quiet? Thats funny...

O btw go and read the links before you post. It really helps to make you not look like an idiot.

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:08 AM

Please actually read the links before supposing about it's contents. Honestly I like what Sony wants to do, but I don't see them as coming out the victor the more I learn about both formats.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 11, 2007 - 7:23 PM

"no matter how much BS you and Sony spew about them."

Just thought I'd repeat that, either you missed it or your head is too thick to absorb it. Here is Sony's and your problem, consumers see the PS3 as a game console. I don't care if it can make pancakes and do your taxes, in the end it's still a game console. Not that it matters since it is not selling anyway.

I love how you Sony zealots ignore when someone corrects you by the way, like with the TrueHD and the 20GB PS3s. Maybe if you don't mention it we'll forget that ever happened right? Like how you said Vista is already dead, lol.

Score: 0

By Metshrine

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 5:31 AM

Alex, I would just like to say, you've lost all credibility in your posts by resorting to insulting people every single time you do so. Just my two cents on your postings. I have also forwarded my thoughts to Betanews.com's editorial staff asking that they handle the personal attack's you have been conducting.

Score: 0

By Banquo

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 6:26 AM

If you're going to report everyone who posts an insult on Betanews there won't be anyone left to post. Did you report Lard for trolling? Why this sudden need to run to the Betanews staff anyway? I'm guessing you are either a friend of Lard's, a fan of the PS3 who is trying to get even, or maybe even lard himself. Anyway nobody likes a tattle-tale.

Score: 0

By Metshrine

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 7:54 AM

Why? Because there is no need for the stuff on here. I didnt report lard because every post he makes isnt flaming or trying to insult someone. Every single post I've seen of Alex, dating back a year, has been to insult someone. Now, I am not lard, nor am I a fan of the PS3 (I am not a console gamer) nor am I one of his friends.

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 10:12 AM

You do know that the only kind of posts on betanews are trolling, flaming, paid promoting (ie lard), and insults right?

It's crazy how sensitive people are becoming. You're not on the rutgers female basketball team are you?? Maybe you should try to get the internet censored, god forbid anything out there offends anyone!

Score: 0

By Keith Lard

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 7:26 PM

Vista is as dead as Microsoft Bob...

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 3:13 PM

Vista and MS is dead you have got to be kidding. Vista has issues but once SP1 comes out all will be good just like all new OS's well except ME. MS leads the world in software they are not goign any where. Maybe Sony makes the best OS, oh yeah they don't make pc software.

Score: 0

By Banquo

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 8:21 PM

Playstation 3 is as dead as the 3DO.

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 8:06 PM

@Keith -- Vista is being sold on every new laptop and desktop sold today. Microsoft Bob isn't.

Score: 0

By siryak

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 7:48 PM

"Microsoft: First Month Vista Sales Double XP"
http://www.betanews.com/...es_Double_XP/1174940745

Yes it is doing horrible....Seriously Keith I haft to ask...Is your brain as dead as Microsoft Bob? It is starting to look that way.....

Score: 0

By Keith Lard

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 3:07 AM

If you want to play that game.

PS3 1st 4 months sales are higher than the 360...

See you can twist stats how you want...

Score: 0

By siryak

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 2:19 PM

Xbox 360 is outselling the PS3 right now...So your point?

You are avoiding the subject with your post though which is Vista. Why? Because yet again you are WRONG.

Another thing is you are trying to compare apples to oranges. Show me some links that actually back up the BS you are spouting and I "might" start taking you seriously.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 7:07 AM

Compare the number of PS3s sold to the number of Windows compatible PCs, and also consider that the PS3 has two major competitors that are at the moment outselling it, and you might find the flaw in your logic. Saying that Vista is dead is dumb and everyone knows better.

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 4:39 AM

Unfulfilled potential is worthless. That's just what Sony has on it's hands. A better product but what is "better" is a lot of hot air and a higher price tag.

Wii out sold the PS3 in that same 4 month period, and beat the first 6 months sales figures of both consoles hands down. Not because it could play better HD movies because it couldn't play any format and doesn't intend to. Consumers spoke with their wallets and price is king.

Score: 0

By Joey Deacon

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 7:31 AM

Wii will be a forgotten about novelty by this time next year..

Wii = Tickle Me Elmo of the console world...

Score: 0

By zaznet

posted Apr 13, 2007 - 7:34 AM

Nintendo made the bet that the price would win this war and they were right. We don't have to like it, but they won already. I still won't buy a Wii because I demand HD. I don't have the 360 or PS3 yet either because I also want to have more than 3 titles I'm interested in playing.

I'll have one of the two HD consoles by the time GTA IV launches.

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Apr 12, 2007 - 10:15 AM

Ah the date is pushed back till this time next year?? I thought the original date was a month after release, and the it was 3 months? By this time next year you'll tell me the novelty will wear out by the end of the year...when does it end??

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 8:53 AM

People were saying the same thing before it even launched, that it would never sale and the controller was a gimmick. Now that it is the number one console in the entire world it's ridiculous to continue with that argument. "The Wii will never sale. Oh ok, but it will be forgotten in a few months. Oops, I meant a year." Give it up already, Nintendo won this round.

Score: 0

By Alex Stevens

edited Apr 12, 2007 - 6:27 AM

Despite the fact that it is selling twice as fast as XP did when it launched and that it will be on every new PC sold. Now you're just trolling. This proves that nothing you say is credible so I hope you don't think anyone is going to believe anything you say in the future.

Score: 0

By Program86

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 5:01 PM

Buy a next gen player?
I dont think so... not after the AACS LA article...

Score: 0

By MidnightWatcher

posted Apr 11, 2007 - 5:13 PM

This will happen. If you're afraid of AACS because they're revoking compromised software players, then there's a spider on the wall behind you. Don't scream too loud.

Score: 0