Circuit City Phases Out the HD-A20 at $112.47

[mikemorel]

Circuit City unloads 1080p HD DVD player for $112

Chicago (IL) – As Toshiba is phasing out its second generation of HD DVD players, retailers are slashing prices to get rid of their inventory. Circuit City is offering the HD-A20 model for $112.47 in the Chicago region.

The new price is 55% below last week’s price of $249.99 and it appears that even Circuit City stores can’t keep up with the price cuts as we have found price tags with varying numbers throughout a store in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. However, a sales representative confirmed to us that $112.47 is the actual price. At the time of our visit, four players were in stock at that particular store. We were told that “several dozen players” were available at this price through Circuit City stores nearby.

This actually may be your best shot yet to get a cheap 1080p HD DVD player – it even undercuts the prices of most 1080p upscaling DVD players on Circuit City’s shelves. It will be interesting to see whether this scenario will translate into increased sales for Toshiba: If you can buy a HD DVD player for less than what you would pay for a high-end DVD player, the value proposition of a HD DVD player could get much more interesting.

Of course, the HD-A20 is a unique case, as it is a phased out model (which was introduced about one year ago for a MSRP $599) and consumers who choose a HD DVD player over a regular high-end DVD player should know that these players have a painfully long startup time of about 35 seconds. Still, this “clearance” price may be low enough to a few more buyers.

Meanwhile, the HD-A20’s HD-A30 also looks as it is seeing substantial price drops. The MSRP is still $199, but some stores are selling the device with a big discount. Amazon.com, for example, currently offers the player for $151.70. The flagship HD-A35 has a MSRP of $299.95, but there are plenty of online stores that are selling the model for less than $250.

[Liqwid]

I know that it doesn't matter, but the HD-A20 is the second gen model. Toshiba is now on their third gen models.

[Pouyan]

yeah most retailers got rid of the A2 and the A20 because there were old models, now it seems circuit city is doing the same

[Philnerd]

That's a great deal. The A20 has an excellent upscaling chip, better than the A2 and probably A3. Offers 1080P/24 output as well with the latest firmware.

[SuperMattyP]

wow....what a dumb attempt at bashing HD....

I can't believe they even have A20s left over in inventory.

This thread is akin to someone posting the end of the Sega genesis because ebay is liquiditing all of their master system power cords.

who gives a damn? It's an old model.

[mikemorel]

Originally Posted by SuperMattyP

wow....what a dumb attempt at bashing HD....

I can't believe they even have A20s left over in inventory.

This thread is akin to someone posting the end of the Sega genesis because ebay is liquiditing all of their master system power cords.

who gives a damn? It's an old model.

That's because I wasn't bashing HD DVD. Quite the opposite, in fact. It's a great deal on a 1080p player.

If they sell a thousand of these, that is a thousand more people not considering blu-ray any time soon.

[xboxboi]

Originally Posted by SuperMattyP

wow....what a dumb attempt at bashing HD....

I can't believe they even have A20s left over in inventory.

This thread is akin to someone posting the end of the Sega genesis because ebay is liquiditing all of their master system power cords.

who gives a damn? It's an old model.

lol lol lol

unless some one signed in using Mike's username, i doubt he is bashing hd dvd Mike loves

lol lol lol

[xboxboi]

Originally Posted by mikemorel

That's because I wasn't bashing HD DVD. Quite the opposite, in fact. It's a great deal on a 1080p player.

If they sell a thousand of these, that is a thousand more people not considering blu-ray any time soon.

most probably PS3 owners are getting one of these babies

and you know wot, atleast this outdate gen 2 players play all the features in HD DVD titles. it also plays triple-layer HD DVDs too. so eat your heart people (those who are getting $400 soon to be obsolete player)

[SRFan]

Good choice for someone with an non-HDMI receiver, since I believe these will convert lossless/DD+ to DTS over optical.
Doesn't change the fact that Toshiba is losing money on these of course.

[madhatter]

Originally Posted by xboxboi

most probably PS3 owners are getting one of these babies

and you know wot, atleast this outdate gen 2 players play all the features in HD DVD titles. it also plays triple-layer HD DVDs too. so eat your heart people (those who are getting $400 soon to be obsolete player)

Got any proof that it will play triple-layer HD DVDs? And can you name any titles currently available on these format saving triple layers hd dvds? Just one will suffice.

[xboxboi]

Originally Posted by madhatter

Got any proof that it will play triple-layer HD DVDs? And can you name any titles currently available on these format saving triple layers hd dvds? Just one will suffice.

look it up. dun be lazy

[Reverend Blu]

Originally Posted by xboxboi

most probably PS3 owners are getting one of these babies

and you know wot, atleast this outdate gen 2 players play all the features in HD DVD titles. it also plays triple-layer HD DVDs too. so eat your heart people (those who are getting $400 soon to be obsolete player)

Triple layer HD DVD:
none found.

[madhatter]

Originally Posted by xboxboi

look it up. dun be lazy

You put it out there. Back it up with some proof.

[The BJD]

This is a really good player and at a great price. I don't know where you could find one but a very good deal if you can.

[Bluthruandthru]

Originally Posted by The BJD

This is a really good player and at a great price. I don't know where you could find one but a very good deal if you can.

If anyone lives in Ohio, the CC outlet store in Akron had about 20-25 of the A20's 2 weeks ago. I have no use for one, but if someone wants to waste their money, they could pick one up there.