Toshiba HD-DVD captures 70% of set top market

[vurbano]

HD DVD Delivers Advanced Content and Interactivity by Offering Exclusive Web-Enabled Capabilities
Friday June 29, 9:00 am ET
Momentum for HD DVD continues to grow as player sales reach new heights and Toshiba captures 70 percent share of high definition set-top player market

WAYNE, N.J., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at its summer press event, Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. ("Toshiba") announced that HD DVD is bringing a whole new world of high definition entertainment to the hands of consumers. Delivering on the promise to provide advanced content and interactivity, new HD DVD titles with web-enabled network capabilities now allow consumers to easily access additional content and bonus features, as available, to enjoy their favorite HD DVD movies like never before. Current users of Toshiba HD DVD players can enjoy the web-enabled network capabilities by updating to the latest HD DVD player firmware, now available from Toshiba.

Since the launch of HD DVD, all of Toshiba's players have offered advanced interactive functionality including picture-in-picture video and audio commentary, which have already been available on many HD DVD movies. Now Toshiba takes interactivity to the next level. The company's latest firmware update supports improved network connectivity for downloading web-enabled network content and is another example of the company's commitment toward achieving the ultimate home entertainment experience. No other high definition home entertainment format currently matches the features offered by Toshiba and the HD DVD format.

"Through web-enabled network connectivity, HD DVD is unlocking the door to an entirely new world of entertainment and once again achieving another milestone in next generation DVD," said Jodi Sally, Vice President of Marketing, Toshiba's Digital A/V Group. "With HD DVD, studios have the ability to develop new and unique content for movie fans, enabling consumers to have an entirely new way to access entertainment and customize their home movie experience that is currently not available with any other format."

Toshiba HD DVD Players' Web-Enabled Network Capabilities

Using the Ethernet ports found on all Toshiba HD DVD players, and the currently available firmware update, once connected to the network, users can download bonus features, as available, from a movie studio's server. This data is then saved in the player's persistent storage and can be accessed by the user. In addition to downloading new bonus features, some HD DVD discs may even include locked prerecorded content which can be unlocked with a downloadable key from the studio's online server.

In addition to downloading content, HD DVD users also have the ability to upload content and interact with content providers. For example, with the award winning title, "Blood Diamond" from Warner Home Video, users can participate in interactive polls. After providing feedback, results are delivered back to users via the HD DVD player.

Web-enabled network content became available on June 26 with the launch of Bandai Visual's anime title "Freedom" volume 1. This title is the first HD DVD anime title available in the United States, the first web-enabled network content disc and the first "twin format" disc (featuring both HD DVD and DVD on one side of the disc).

"While others may talk about interactivity, HD DVD has proven time and time again that it offers true interactive features and capabilities for consumers which can make the enjoyment of movies a new experience every time they're viewed," commented Sally.

Toshiba Announces 24p Output

Coming in early September, Toshiba will add an enhanced performance function to its HD-XA2 and HD-A20 HD DVD players by offering the capability for users to update the firmware of their players allowing playback of film content in 1080p/24 frames per second, or 24p. Movie films are traditionally captured at 24 frames per second and Toshiba's HD DVD players will be able to maintain this frame rate allowing consumers to enjoy movies in their native form.

Mandatory to the HD DVD format, every Toshiba player is equipped with an Ethernet port. In addition to the capability to access web enabled content, this also allows HD DVD owners to conveniently update the firmware of their players with new features and performance improvements.

Movie Aficionados Adopt HD DVD as the Next High Definition Format of

Choice - The Numbers Speak for Themselves

Responding to recent promotions as well as the industry growth of HDTV, the market adoption of HD DVD increased significantly in the past 2 months garnering Toshiba with approximately 70 percent share of all high definition set-top players, both HD DVD and Blu-ray, in both April and May according to NPD. "These numbers prove once again that HD DVD is the high definition format of choice," commented Sally.

Effective July 1st the pricing levels available during the May and June promotions will become standard MSRPs, making the HD-A2 available for an every day price of $299.99 and the HD-A20 for $399.99. The top of the line HD-XA2 continues at $799.99 (MSRP).

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070629/nef003.html

 

[r.jones1116]

Wonder what BDA spin is coming down the pipe?

 

[JoeSp]

Just a simple question. Is the HD-XA2 the only HD-DVD player with internet access?

 

[gck105]

It is my understanding that all HD DVD players have the ability to access the internet.

From above "Using the Ethernet ports found on all Toshiba HD DVD players"

 

[Ilya]

It is my understanding that all HD DVD players have the ability to access the internet.
From above "Using the Ethernet ports found on all Toshiba HD DVD players"

That's right. As long as you have the latest firmware installed (e.g. version 2.1 or 2.2 for the 1st Gen. players).

 

[JamesJ]

wait, so Blu ray is outselling HD DVD 2 to 1, even 3 to 1 with just 30% of the set top market? wow go BLU-ray, oh wait let me guess you are going to include the Ps3 in them numbers now.

 

[Derwin0]

wait, so Blu ray is outselling HD DVD 2 to 1, even 3 to 1 with just 30% of the set top market? wow go BLU-ray, oh wait let me guess you are going to include the Ps3 in them numbers now.

Toshiba prefers to ignore PS3 numbers, as it would show them being slaughtered. Because even if only 10% of PS3 users use it for blu-ray movies, then Sony would be beating Toshiba.

 

[JoeSp]

It has nothing to do with settops or the XBOX360 or the PS3 numbers. We can bs all we want but none of us are buying two or three HD-DVD players or 2 or 3 PS3s or BluRays for the house now are we?

But I bet most of us who are early adopters have 10 or more of our favorite hd format's movies in the house? The bottom line is who is selling discs and regaurdless of what Toshiba has to say that it is the studios who support BluRay and HD-DVD look at. Right now it is the studios supporting BluRay who are happy. Their sales on titles keep climbing while HD-DVD's sales seem to level off and go stagnant. Maybe this infusion of low cost HD-DVD players will spark the HD-DVD discs sales -- it had better.

July and August is the time for HD-DVD to strike back. With the lower priced players and the lion's share of title releases for these two months HD-DVD should at least pull even or ahead in discs sales. If they don't then start the fat lady warming her pipes. And there are several reasons why.

1st -- Title releases favor HD-DVD almost 4 to 1 over the next 2 months.

2nd -- Toshiba has priced their players at a very low and reasonable level so they should enjoy success at the sales counter -- this alone should spike dics sales.

3rd -- There are several BD supporters who have been waiting for BD+ to arrive -- its here so expect some annoucements of title releases very soon. Once that happens the HD-DVD camp will not keep up with new releases.

4th -- BD blockbusters will be hitting in September and increasing thru the XMAS season. HD-DVD will counter but they will be outnumbered severely. And the main reason follows:

5th -- All those Warner blockbusters like Batman Returns will be seeing release during XMAS.

6th -- And last, by XMAS BD manufacturers will be matching those low prices from Toshiba and the last advantage of HD-DVD will fall. Already Sony has a BD player SRP at $499 and Samsungs new BD player is at $599. Look out Toshiba -- here comes the rest of the world.

Factors that will not make a differance -- low cost players from China. Both formats have low cost players coming from China. Both will be seen at Walmart so there is no advantage here. Question is how low and will features be left off? Cross support from studios -- nobody is showing their hands yet but if HD-DVD doesn't start winning some weekly sales regularly -- start looking for Universal to make their move. Porn, cheaper, quicker and easier access from the internet. Nobody even sees porn as making any dent in deciding the next format.

Factors on the horizon -- how many J6Ps are going to jump this XMAS and where? Will internet access during movie playback be a hit (personally the hit in my house would be from my wife if I tried to do this during a movie). Will interactive product during movie playback be a hit (read above about wife).

Biggest factor for HD-DVD -- Disney. If HD-DVD can not get support from Disney by CES 08 then the fat lady will be warming her pipes. Disney has already announced movement of their classics to BluRay. Families will set up and take notice and anyone here who does not belive that has their head in the sand. Especially when they go into Blockbuster, see all the Disney BluRay titles -- rent a BD player for the weekend and play a few movies on their new HDTV. The Blockbuster deal is almost as big a steal for BD as Disney support is.

However, if the HD-DVD camp can get support from Disney it will almost level the playing field entirely and maybe force this format war into several more years or even swing things back into favor for the HD-DVD camp. I really believe that Disney's support of BluRay factored heavily into Blockbusters decision. (Note here -- Canadian Blockbusters will not follow US store policy as they will continue to support both formats and expand on both).

Biggest factors for BluRay -- will Universal start supporting BD and lower cost players. If that happens then HD-DVD will be seen as the little sister and will start loosing ground fast. Right now the only thing HD-DVD has over BluRay is Universal Studio support and low cost players. If the BluRay forum can get close in player cost (within $75) and Universal will start supporting BD then the future for BluRay will become very bright -- very fast.

I think I can see the fat lady getting into her car for a ride to the opera. Big question -- who is she going to sing for?

 

[CochiseGuy]

Toshiba prefers to ignore PS3 numbers, as it would show them being slaughtered. Because even if only 10% of PS3 users use it for blu-ray movies, then Sony would be beating Toshiba.

No, all Toshiba is doing is reporting the sales of their products - standalone high def disc players that support playback for the HD DVD format - and comparing those sales to comparable products - standalone high def players that support playback of the BD format.

Toshiba's reports also do not include sales figures for the most widely selling product for playback of HD DVD - the HD DVD add-on drive for the xBox 360 - because it's not their product. That would be up to Microsoft to report - which, according to this June 22 article, they report selling 155,000 in the U.S.

That's sold; Microsoft doesn't use Sony's tactic of reporting how many they've shipped. And that's 100% of them purchased for movie playback, since there are no xBox games released on HD DVD, the only reason to buy the add-on is for watching movies.

 

[JamesJ]

That's sold; Microsoft doesn't use Sony's tactic of reporting how many they've shipped. And that's 100% of them purchased for movie playback, since there are no xBox games released on HD DVD, the only reason to buy the add-on is for watching movies.

be careful because I remember Microsoft doing just that awhile back, Both companies are liars lets just all face the facts!

 

[Peter Parker]

Wonder what BDA spin is coming down the pipe?

Well to be honest this is a bit of spin as well. What difference does it make whether people watch discs on a box specifically designed for that use or one that also plays games---as long as they use it. So why limit the analsis in this way.

Both sides are practicing a lot of spin and i find it laughable when the practiitioner of spin feign shock when they see others do it--- or predict it.

 

[navychop]

Yep. Bottom line: How many titles are selling? Players only exist to sell titles.

 

[FlyingJ]

I just want to watch the freakin movie! My opinion, bottom line, BLOCKBUSTER = Blu-Ray. Taking everything else into consideration and throwing a big fat Blockbuster into the equation and you have yourself a wave of momentum affecting those that do not participate in these types of forums. So the couple of hundred of us can bicker all day. When the 10's of millions see those Blu-Ray titles at Blockbuster, I'm sorry guys, I don't see any way in hell Blu-Ray loses this thing. Not to say that HD-DVD is gone, but Blu-Ray is not going anywhere for quite a while!

 

[vurbano]

It has nothing to do with settops or the XBOX360 or the PS3 numbers.

You couldnt be more wrong.

 

[navychop]

Actually, I don't think anyone is considering Blu-ray might lose. I think the only thing to be determined is if HD DVD will survive in the U.S. market. Or, possibly, that both remain niche products. But at this point, it's pretty clear Blu-ray will be around.

 

[r.jones1116]

Actually, I don't think anyone is considering Blu-ray might lose. I think the only thing to be determined is if HD DVD will survive in the U.S. market. Or, possibly, that both remain niche products. But at this point, it's pretty clear Blu-ray will be around.

It also appears HDDVD will too.

 

[skottey]

Factors that will not make a differance -- low cost players from China. Both formats have low cost players coming from China.

Sure it makes a difference.

If we see low cost players I could see room for both. I have HD-DVD now and REFUSE to buy a blu-ray player simply because they are too expensive and I do not want a PS3 (already have an Xbox360 and a wii in this house).

When blu-ray falls below $300 (that is my sweet spot) I will buy a player and start buying movies in that format in addition to the 20+ collection of movies I already have. I can't possibly be the only movie buff out there with 500+ standard DVDs who would most certainly build a collection of movies in each and probably have 2 players of each when they fall below $200.

Room for both formats? Sure!

 

[skottey]

When the 10's of millions see those Blu-Ray titles at Blockbuster, I'm sorry guys, I don't see any way in hell Blu-Ray loses this thing.

Not all of us are renters out here. I haven't stepped into a Blockbuster in decades. I buy all my movies or wait for them to come to cable/satellite. I have over 500 standard DVDs and 20+ HD-DVDs. I think there is room for both and will buy a blu-ray player when they fall below $300. Then I'll start collecting movies in both formats. I can't possibly be the only one out here willing to buy movies and players in both formats.

 

[FlyingJ]

Oh no, not all, but the rental numbers from Blockbuster are just sick! I mean unbelievable, that is a money trail, and daddy always said, "follow the money"

 

[Derwin0]

None of the war matters. Right now I'd say both will lose.
My wife went out and bought a couple movies the other day, Ghost Rider and something else.

When I mentioned they were out in HD, and asked why she bought DVD's, her answer was that the HD version were TWICE as much as the DVD's.

That is what will kill both formats, the heavier prices. If one or the other could put the pricing even with DVD, then they might have a chance.