It’s already happening, the death of HD-DVD will be quick, bloody and painful.  The Toshiba HDA3 and HDA30 run $100 and $130, respectively but several retailers offer free movies with the players.

Circuit City offers the HDA3 or HDA30 with five free HD-DVD movies by mail.  Toshiba plans to stop HD-DVD player and media production by the end of March at which time will we be left with the existing supply of HD-DVD stock.  When it’s gone, it’s gone.

Blu-Ray players are still quite expensive and if you must go Blu-Ray, a PS3 is your best bet for the time being.  If you can stand the torture of putting up with DVDs for just a little longer, wait and you will be rewarded.

Within 12 to 18 months, prices of entry-level Blu-Ray players may hit $250 which was the sweet spot for DVD adoption several years ago.

It’s just downhill from here for HD-DVD prices, only time will tell how low they will go.  I wouldn’t be surprised if near the end prices of players hit $50 or $60 with HD-DVD movies going for not much more than new DVDs before they wind up in the $5 bargain bin.

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Entry was posted on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 at 10:46 am under Uncategorized.

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.
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