Digital Journal — Even before most Blu-ray companies get their first units out the door, sources are already telling
Digital Journal the second generation of HD-DVD will be released before the holidays.
“A lot of the glitches will be fixed,” one source close to Toshiba told us.
Some tech blogs today began reporting the next generation of the, err, next gen DVD format will be released this October in North America. Toshiba's HD-DVD press conference at CEDIA 2006 just ended where the news broke that North America will be getting the same players announced in Europe recently, named the HD-A2 and HD-XA2.
In the U.S., Toshiba
issued this press release.
Digital Journal’s unnamed source told us an October release date can’t be confirmed, as manufacturing and hardware changes can sometimes cause delays.
But the really important change is to the price tag: While tech blog
Gizmodo.com is reporting a new version of the Toshiba HD-A2 will retail for $500 (US), our source hinted the price
could be even better.
“It will be much,
much more affordable. Besides that, I can’t say too much,”
Digital Journal was told.
The press release from CEDIA says Toshiba estimates there are 25,000 HD-DVD-equipped homes across the U.S., much higher than some analysts have suggested.
In addition to Toshiba, Samsung is reportedly in the works of addressing early problems with its Blu-ray player as well.
Anyone following the battle between HD-DVD and Blu-ray will likely admit the first generation of both formats have fallen far below expectation. With unbearable load times, flaws in hardware and ludicrous price tags, both formats have so far
not been worth the sticker price. Also, some consumer feedback shows that people are simply not ready to replace their DVD player for a technology that hasn’t been fully developed.
Gizmodo reports the lower-end HD-A2 will have 720p/1080i resolution, HDMI 1.2 an improved remote and slimmer profile than its predecessor, the HD-A1. The HD-XA2, on the other hand, gets a bigger facelift, with HDMI 1.3 for enhanced color and sound, 12-bit processing, 1080p resolution and Dolby True HD 5.1 audio. The problem: It also comes with a bigger price tag of $1,000 (US).
Wait. A grand? Haven’t we learned anything yet?
I think this is the exact moment where things could
really change if people started listening. Toshiba has a big chance to capitalize on market conditions (Blu-ray left consumers at the altar with all its delays) and if it plays its cards right, it might just get the edge over Blu-ray it so badly needs. But, it’s not going to do it with crazy four-digit pricing.
Remembering that VHS beat out Betamax primarily because it was cheaper (and because it had the support of Hollywood). Toshiba could PR-spin this fiasco and really gain ground by addressing problems and selling a quality piece of technology at a price people can actually afford. Blu-ray has big backing, sure, but you can’t convince me that people will go out and pay their prices. If Toshiba plays things right, the battle could end before Blu-ray even has a chance to get going.
