Toshiba HD-A2 model sells (an estimated) 90,000 over weekend

[Icy Red]

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6498141.html

Toshiba HD-A2 model sells 90,000 over weekend
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 11/6/2007
NOV. 6 | The HD DVD format significantly pumped its installed base over the weekend, as dueling store clearances sold an estimated 90,000 Toshiba players, according to sources close to retailers.

That tally covers Friday to Sunday sales of Toshiba’s second-generation HD-A2 model, which Wal-Mart and Best Buy sold for about $99 on Nov. 2. That’s $200 less than Toshiba’s $299 list price and $100 off widespread retail pricing of $199.


The $99 players made up most of the 90,000 units sold, a source said.


Within three days, Toshiba corralled nearly as many sales as the best-selling stand-alone Blu-ray Disc player has sold since its launch. Sony’s dominant Blu-ray set-top, the $499 BDP-S300, has shipped about 100,000 since it bowed this summer.


However, the Blu-ray format still retains the largest overall installation base, due largely to the millions of PlayStation 3 hardware sold.


In fact, the 90,000 figure for HD-A2 sales could be even higher, as it doesn’t appear to include all retailer information. The figure does span consumer activity on HD-A2s at Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City, among others.


Best Buy also shaved $100 off Toshiba’s $299 third-generation player, the HD-A3, Friday through Sunday. At deadline, a Best Buy spokesman did not provide updated sales on the HD-A3.


Toshiba and the HD DVD Promotional Group also declined comment.

[Rking4441]

Nice find. I guess the low ball estimates are way low. And according to this it maybe even higher as not all retailers were included. WOW!

[vooswing]

That's pretty impressive!

The next few weeks are going to be interesting Nielsen number weeks to see the affect this has. Last I heard HD DVD had about 400,000 players so 100,000 more in a weekend is HUGE.

I think both sides will view this as good news... the red side because they just got a huge bump in install base and the blue side because it isn't 2 million.

[Detroit Tigers Fan]

Nice find Icy Red...Go RED WINGS!!!

[moepain4u]

Originally Posted by Icy Red

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6498141.html

Dayum if price stays under $150 we could be looking at 500k sold by end of year. 90k in 3 days and didn't count all retailers

[WallyWest]

Originally Posted by moepain4u

90k in 3 days and didn't count all retailers

Seems like they counted all the major ones, unless Amazon is in the uncounted list

[DueNorth]

The figure does span consumer activity on HD-A2s at Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City, among others.

It doesn't cover all but most of the key ones.

100,000 units in 3 days is pretty impressive considering PS3 sold like 130,000 a month.

Now let's see how the software sales changes.

[1080p]

Warner's will be happy

[Rune]

Impressive numbers! Every time I think HD DVD is just about to give out they surprise me with some impressive move, and throw me right back on the waiting fence.

[Rking4441]

Just speculating, IF most of those sales picked up a few movies then this could have the same affect as the BOGO sale during Transformers week. We still haven't heard big things from SM3 and this could put Transformers way back UP on the sales total. Remember that BB, CC and Walmart has software sales this weekend. Also any A3 sales from BB got 3 scanned right away.

Just wondering what Black Friday will bring. I smell something brewing!

[dysfunction26]

Originally Posted by WallyWest

Seems like they counted all the major ones, unless Amazon is in the uncounted list

I don't think they counted any of the online only retailers. I'd be willing to bet the number is closer to 110,000-120,000, if you include Fry's and all the online retailers that dropped their prices as well. I don't think Toshiba will have any problem selling 300,000-400,000 more HD DVD players by the year's end. As long as they blow the doors off, with a HD-A3 MSRP of $199.99 and a Black Friday Special for $99.99-$129.99.

[Indy_aka_Rex]

Estimated more often than not means less, so if this doesn't count ALL retailers, it could end up round out to 90k.

[Mark Booth]

Speaking of Amazon... Four different HD DVD models remain in the top 25 best selling DVD players (of any type). The A2 still holds the TOP spot in DVD sales there, priced at $197. The first Blu-ray player is at number 26.

No doubt about it, the new low HD DVD player prices are going to change the landscape of HDM over the holiday quarter. In fact, it's already started. If you look at the top 100 HD DVD/Blu-ray titles on Amazon using the feature on the front page of the forum, right now it is split 50/50. Granted, Blu has the edge in the top part of the charts but just a week ago Blu had the edge in the top 100 too.

As more and more HD DVD standalones are sold, the split will start edging toward HD DVD. Blu-ray's 2:1 sales ratio will be history.

Mark

[Blu-News.com]

Warner is very happy to hear the news from what I heard. Weinstein source has been talking to Warner Bros. a lot lately. Not like it matters much, but thought I would add.

[Rking4441]

How ironic would it be for HD DVD to win it's first week in Media sales this year on the week SM3 was released. That would be sweeter then winning the first week Transformers came out. What kind of headline would spill from that sweet story! Along with all the other great news pouring onto the Red side this would just top it off so far.

I think this War is just getting heated up and Toshiba just threw down the gauntlet for the holiday season.