There are still players released with SACD and DVD-A support, even though both of those formats are dead. It might only be from smaller companies (like Oppo), but there will be players that handle every disc format, including HD DVD.

I'm sure over time hd players will become more scarce. But I would imagine you will probably still be able to find one or two still being made. Or it is possible that a standard feature on blu-ray players will include hd capability.

CED players are relatively easy to find thanks to Ebay, and the last ones of those were made more than 20 years ago.

While there are over 1 Million SA players sold, and maybe 400k+ additional 360 owners as well, it is possible some people own more then 1 player. However, I don't think the studios really take that into much consideration. Its players sold, not how many people own numerous players. Looking at software sold (like Transformers) is a better indication how many people own 1 vs multiple players.

$5 says even if Toshiba quits HD DVD tomorrow, someone will still be making Dual format players (Smasung, LG, Toshiba whatever) well into 2009. Like others have mentioned, if there are still DVD players that play DVD-A and SACD, which sold no where near what HD DVD has done, some CEs will still slip HD DVD in their machines and mark it up with a premium. With tons of unique titles only on HD DVD (from Universal, Paramount, Warner and imports), it is still a viable market for years to come.

Lets go with Universal and Paramount going Blu tomorrow, how long will it take them to release all their software in Blu? Universal has what, 200 titles out on HD DVD, Paramount/DW maybe 30 exclusive and Warner with 20, you think those will be released right away? Coupled with the fact there are so few Blu-ray plants at the moment pressing discs and studios already have to wait in line to make titles (with Fox delaying some due to this exact reason, and now Warner ramping up titles) and the yields on them, there is no way Universal could pump out 200 titles in the next 2 years. No way.

How about titles that sold so poorly (like Cat People, Time Cop, White Noise etc.), if the yields and such are true (from what some Blu insiders said), they would have to press these movies in 10-20k runs....how many copies of Cat People do you think were sold on HD DVD? 1-2k? Is it profitable for Universal to produce Cat People right now, today, to the 1 Million Blu-ray SA players and 4 million PS3 owners?

...and for all those reasons I think Dual Players will be a very viable solution for at least the next 2 years, if HD DVD dies tomorrow.

I agree. And adding HD-DVD support shouldn't cost very much, really, from what I've read.

At the very least, I guarantee Toshiba will toss out a dual-format player for the next few years.

It's more than possible. You've owned at least three players yourself based on posts I've read of yours and your signature. I own two. It's not just possible, it is reality.

Many people upgraded from 1st-gen machines to get players with better load times. Many current HD DVD owners used the Walmart sales to get extra players. That's one reason why there were never big software sales bumps to coincide with the extra player sales.

If there have been a million SA sales and 400K add-ons (not sure if these numbers are accurate), I'd say 750K unique owners is a pretty realistic estimation.

Let's say 1 in 3 HD DVD owners owned 2 players. Right there the math would work out to 1 million players being owned by 750K people.

Studios should care about that, because they want to sell a disc to everyone that owns the format.

Yeah, and laserdisc players certainly aren't hard to find on ebay either. And many are reasonably priced. My LD player is over 20 years old and still plays like a champ (then again, it's probably better made than most Toshiba HD DVD players are).

Dude Ive owned (own)....

A1, 360 AO, A2, A2, A2 (Parents house) A3, A3, XA1, 360 AO, XA2 (soon!) Too many good deals not to pass up on. However I sold EVERY extra player at a profit (just sold my A3 + 300 and Transformers on craigslist for $180 :lol: )

I'll bet you the hd-dvd or blu-ray of your choice that there won't be a single dual-format player sold at Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Kmart, or Sears by Jan 2009.

The only way I see any being sold at all is if the Chinese CH-DVD makers throw in HD-DVD, but those would all be sold mail order from Hong Kong.

Done! :)

That's just sick. :)

But to be fair, you owned at least 2 until very recently, yes?

I think Ive only ever owned 3 at a time.

I usually sell one off the help pay for the next one or buy them really cheap ($99 A2 with 2 free movies instantly which I sold for $50 cash and then sold the A2 for $120 so making a decent profit while still having the UPC for 5 free mail ins)

I will officially end with the XA1 and XA2. Might get an A30/35 as a backup player.

Remember now, both of you, there are witnesses to this transaction. ;)

can i get in on this too?

The keyword here is : "owned" or the in the popular vernacular "PWNED !!!! FTW !!!"

The moment Universal jumps in your clock will be ticking.

Pro-B

Absolutely!

Sweet, so we will check the websites in Jan. I'm hoping at least Toshiba has the deceny to include support with their eventual Blu Ray players just to keep people from boycotting them. After the 360 runs its course I don't want to have to hold onto them just to play some older movies.

My clock? Maybe this would force you to own more then 17 titles on Blu-ray.

Thanks for reminding me to block you again.

If Toshiba builds in HD-DVD support - even just play-the-movie-in-HD-picture-and-sound support - this would be good reason for the many owners of HD-DVD discs to buy a Toshiba BR player.

I'm hoping this is the case, but as I posted today, a Toshiba source says they plan on an exit strategy from the entire High-Def business altogether. I hope I'm misinterpreting that statement and we get a better elaboration when Toshiba announces it this week.

In the wake of the article DVD Polizei refers to, I've been looking to get a backup player. Looking at Amazon, the XA2 goes for $299 through a reseller. I can get the A35 through the Amazon warehouse for $200. Or I could go a cheaper route and get the 360 add on or the A30 much cheaper, but I'd prefer the higher end players. I'm leaning towards the A35, but I would prefer a cheaper price.

I would imagine you will find a cheaper price in the coming months. And I wouldn't be looking for a second player at the moment, as we still have some time. I'm sure there are many more HD DVD players available than their are HD DVD consumers.

The XA2 might be hard to get, but I think it will still be available in a few months, maybe more. Having the XA2, I wouldn't mind a second one, and I have thought about an A35, but I'm not buying anything as a backup just yet. Hopefully, Toshiba will elaborate/confirm their intentions for their HD DVD consumer. Taking it in the ass once was an interesting experience, but taking it in the ass a second time, by your own cellmate, is certainly nothing to brag about.

Dan, are you comfortable buying refurbs? That's what the $299 one is at Amazon. I don't know if I would buy a refurb as a backup. Now, if I saw a brand new XA2 for $299 I'd buy it.