OMFG!!! - $98.87 for Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD player at Wal-Mart - Sunday Nov. 4 is supposedly the last day

[knightc2]

So with new firmware this does 1080p? If this is true this makes this a no brainer if you you aren't looking for Blu-Ray. Keeps getting better.

 

[Dracos]

Originally posted by: Eug

That is incorrect. Firmware 2.5 does NOT add 1080p24 output for the HD-A2. It added it for the A20 and XA2.

So why is the HD-A2 listed as one of the applicable model numbers?

 

[TwiceOver]

Got mine this morning. There were 4 other people waiting with me as they rolled out the cart.

Funny thing is there was only one couple waiting for the cheap Acer laptop. They bought all 4 that were put out on the shelf.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Dracos

Originally posted by: Eug

That is incorrect. Firmware 2.5 does NOT add 1080p24 output for the HD-A2. It added it for the A20 and XA2.

So why is the HD-A2 listed as one of the applicable model numbers?

Because they worded it poorly. Yes the latest A2 firmware is 2.5, but it doesn't get the 1080p24 support the higher end models are getting.

 

[Dracos]

Ahhh sorry for the mix up.

 

[addoraa]

Left work at approx 7:15am and was able to snag one (A2) this am at our local walmart, 105 and a few cents. No waiting, no lines, pretty sleepy town. They were keeping them in the back and only bringing them forward when asked. The lappy's were selling the most but still no lines at 8:15am. A happy camper.

Andy

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Ugh, damned Wisconsin unfair pricing act.
I couldn't quite make it to the nearest Minnesota Walmart in time to snag one (I live on the border), and also just missed out on the Best Buy for Business deal by the time I got back.

 

[Trike]

w00t! scored two. There was a small line at around 7:00. they handed out vouchers. there were 51 units there, all were gone by the the time I left. In and out before 7:30

 

[Eug]

This is impressive. I wonder how many CC, Sears, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart will have sold this week (starting Wednesday).

50000? 100000? 150000? More? Whatever the number is, it definitely won't be below 50000.

 

[proroc]

What time is the sale until?

 

[Dracos]

It will be more interesting to see how the EBAY marketplace will become flooded with these models. Yesterday the avg price for this unit on Ebay was about 198.00 now I see some for 145.

 

[Mythman]

Scored one at the Bloomington, MN store - they had 25 total. Line had about 30 people in it but it was a mixed crowd for the notebook and DVD player. They had NO HD-DVD titles available at the sale price.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: proroc
What time is the sale until?

Some people said they were told that it is until Sunday as long as supplies last, but many places sold out in the first half hour.

I'm not completely sure if that 3 day sale statement is true or not though, and I'm not sure if they're getting replenished stock or not if they've sold out. My guess is no, at the $98 price.

Originally posted by: Mythman
Scored one at the Bloomington, MN store - they had 25 total. Line had about 30 people in it but it was a mixed crowd for the notebook and DVD player. They had NO HD-DVD titles available at the sale price.

Several stores had new HD DVD stock arrive yesterday, but the stuff was still in the back apparently.

Bad coordination for the software, but at least most stores got the actual player itself.

 

[RossMAN]

The RossMAN report:

I'm glad I called Walmart last night and was told their doors open at 7AM. I asked about the 8AM secret sale and if items were available at 7AM? Of course they had no clue.

Just in case I arrived at Walmart around 7:08 AM only to find a line about 20 people deep in the electronics area. The coveted "secret sale" items were held behind the counter which I think is a good idea. Otherwise it would have been a free for all. Everyone in line was civil and quiet for the most part.

At 7:19 AM they sold their last 50" Plasma HDTV and said they only received two. There were two pallets of HD DVD Players and around 30 Acer laptops. They rang up my Toshiba HD DVD I whipped out my cc and they said "OMG it's Office Guy 6!!!!" I signed autographs and walked out. Ok maybe it didn't quite go down like that

Is anyone else surprised that the Toshiba HD DVD player was more popular than the $349 Acer laptop? I could have purchased the Toshiba HD DVD online this morning (Best Buy Business deal) but I wanted it TODAY.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
The RossMAN report:

I'm glad I called Walmart last night and was told their doors open at 7AM. I asked about the 8AM secret sale and if items were available at 7AM? Of course they had no clue.

Just in case I arrived at Walmart around 7:08 AM only to find a line about 20 people deep in the electronics area. The coveted "secret sale" items were held behind the counter which I think is a good idea. Otherwise it would have been a free for all. Everyone in line was civil and quiet for the most part.

At 7:19 AM they sold their last 50" Plasma HDTV and said they only received two. There were two pallets of HD DVD Players and around 30 Acer laptops. They rang up my Toshiba HD DVD I whipped out my cc and they said "OMG it's Office Guy 6!!!!" I signed autographs and walked out. Ok maybe it didn't quite go down like that

Is anyone else surprised that the Toshiba HD DVD player was more popular than the $349 Acer laptop? I could have purchased the Toshiba HD DVD online this morning (Best Buy Business deal) but I wanted it TODAY.

Well, at some stores, the Acer laptop was more popular. Great deal, too.

However, I'm not surprised at all the $99 HD DVD player was extremely popular too. It's a humungous deal. With competitors selling the players at $200+, and Blu-ray at $400+, and upscaling DVD players selling for about the same $99 price, the Wal-Mart HD DVD + 5 free movie deal is a complete no-brainer.

I'm still surprised at the price point (as you can see by my thread title). I had long predicted that that HD DVD players would be below $200 for Black Friday type sales. However, I told everyone that predicted a $99 price point that they were completely out to lunch. I am glad to be proven wrong.

 

[Mythman]

I was surprised that the Toshiba HD DVD player was the hot item at my location as well. Of the 30 people in line only about 5 people wanted the laptop - the rest were there for the DVD player and one guy was bying the TV.

 

[Borg20001]

I stopped by my Walmart on the way @ 7:15 AM to work to pick up shampoo and remembered the HD-DVD A2 deal so wandered around the electronics area but couldn't find any. Asked a clerk and she directed me to the layaway area where people were gathering. No line, they were handing out tickets, I was no. 6 for the 10 Toshiba's they had in stock, but I had to wait until 8AM for the actual purchase up front.

So I had to kill time wandering around the store, bought my shampoo and around 7:55 AM went to the front of the store and there was a line at the Customer Service desk. Most were in line to get the laptop (the store had 30) but I passed on the Celeron system. They had the 50" Sanyo Plasma's and still had tickets for them as I waited in line but they couldn't get a bite for the last ticket.

Finally bought my DVD player and passed on the 2 yr extended warranty.

Forgot about the 5 disc deal but can go back later to see what I can scrounge up.

Still not sure if I want this or not as I'm not sure what the result will be of the format wars between HD_DVD and BluRay.

Getting a 42" Plasma 720p later so this will come in handy with that if I want...

Thanks for the heads up!

(was late to work though )

 

[imported_Sanj]

Did not score on HD DVD player; but picked up a laptop for Sister in Law. Local Denver store had 12 players, which sold out immediately. Plenty of Acer Laptops available.

 

[thephatp]

Thanks for the post, Eug. I snagged one in Austin this morning! Can't wait to get home and check it out!!!

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Borg20001
Forgot about the 5 disc deal but can go back later to see what I can scrounge up.

It's a mail-in deal. You'll just have to download the form.

http://thelookandsoundofperfec...er_redemption_form.pdf

 

[RagingBITCH]

I ended up passing on it. A helluva good deal, but just can't get myself to commit yet

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
I ended up passing on it. A helluva good deal, but just can't get myself to commit yet

Tough to go wrong when the DVD's that come free add up to more cost than you pay for the player.

 

[psychmych]

One Las Vegas Wally had 60 dvd players on sale at 8am. Small line at 7:30...bought one...still 30 or so unsold. You could buy two. Limited $15 hd dvd's. Thanks OP. Best deal of the year.

 

[Basilisk]

Seems odd that the two firmware update methods are (1) plug it into LAN and do an online update or (2) mail in a request card for disc-deliveries. Doesn't Toshiba acknowledge there are a few folks out there who would like to burn their own discs but won't have the player on the internet?!

Given the Cautions (o.m. pg 58) about interrupting a download/install of new firmware, I'd be reluctant to do it online as opposed to using a disc....

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Basilisk
Seems odd that the two firmware update methods are (1) plug it into LAN and do an online update or (2) mail in a request card for disc-deliveries. Doesn't Toshiba acknowledge there are a few folks out there who would like to burn their own discs but won't have the player on the internet?!

Given the Cautions (o.m. pg 58) about interrupting a download/install of new firmware, I'd be reluctant to do it online as opposed to using a disc....

You can download the firmware ISO from the Toshiba support site.

Just make sure you get the 2.5 firmware for the A2.