When do you think HD DVD players will fall to around $500?

Question

Also when will HD DVD's be more widely availabe?

Answer 1

Give it 1-2 years or until the next new technology is introduced into the market. It takes time for the new technology to become popular and then parts will start to go down, in turn the finished product will do the same.

As for the software, give it about 6 months, and in the meantime, if it gains popularity, more and more HD DVD or Blue Ray DVD will gradually snowball in titles. Research the history of the CD and the DVD, and you'll get a good time frame estimate for the lastest DVD format.

Answer 2

April 18, 2006. That was the Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD player's launch date and the MSRP was $499.

HD DVDs will be more widely available as the installed base of players grows. Could be awhile as many consumers are waiting to see which format will win: HD DVD or Blu Ray. Ricoh has announced a laser diode which can read both formats. If a player with this in it hits the market at a reasonable price, that will help a lot.

For reference, thedigitalbits.com keeps a running list of HD DVD/Blu Ray disc release dates for every major film studio.

Answer 3

Toshibas HD-DVD player launched at a cost of 500 dollar, so uhm, they already do cost 500 dollars.. in fact, that's the only price for the only unit available. Blu-ray costs 1,000 dollars, but all bet are off as to that being a superior format. There seems to be plenty of HD-DVDs available already, just search amazon.com!

Answer 4

As soon as the industry figures out that consumers are pissed off about the two incompatible formats, and are not buying the new players, the prices will drop like a rock. I'd guess within 6 months.

Answer 5

I would quite awhile (maybe around a year or so). That is if it has managed to beat Blu-Ray in the format wars. I wouldn't spend money on neither format until there is a clear winner.

Answer 6

By Christmas if they expect to sell very many...