Toshiba To Sell HD-A2 For Only $99?

[Ian]

According to DVD Dossier, Toshiba will be selling the HD-A2 for $99 starting on July 22nd. On top of that, you get 3 free HD DVD's.

http://www.dvddossier.com/2007/07/a2-toshiba-hd-d.html

I just received an e-mail tonight from the folks at the EMA (Electronic Merchant's Association), who are responsible for a big industry event next week, the Home Media Expo. The e-mail is ostensibly an attempt to boost last minute attendance at next week's trade show, which will run July 16th - 19th in Las Vegas.

But the e-mail looks more like an ad for Toshiba than for the show itself. Even so, I found the pitch absolutely irresistible:

TOSHIBA HD DVD PLAYER for ONLY $99 PLUS 3 FREE HD DVD’s

For one week only, starting July 22, 2007, Toshiba will be offering the HD A2 player for only $99. With your purchase you will also receive 3 HD DVD's.

I can't tell if this is an offer being made exclusively to show attendees, or if it's a consumer offer that Toshiba will announce at the Home Media Expo next week at the Venetian Resort. I suspect it's the latter, although it's nearly midnight on a Friday night and I have no way of confirming that at the present time.

[jsl]

Wow, Toshiba is really getting desperate if true. By Christmas they'll be giving them away for free with 10 free HD DVD movies included

[Wesociety]

Please note that the minimum registration cost of this show was $105 prior to June 23rd. Minimum registration cost now is $135, so you can't exactly just walk into the show and get a $99 HD DVD player without paying the entrance fee (unless your employer is paying for it).

I don't see this being very big news. It will not affect many people as it is just a tradeshow promotion. I do think it is a good move from Toshiba by trying to get industry workers to adopt the HD DVD format.

[Ian]

But isn't the show from the 16th thru the 19th?

[Wesociety]

But isn't the show from the 16th thru the 19th?

Yeah I just read about the dates discrepancy. I suppose that they could be giving out a "coupon" or voucher of some sort that would allow tradeshow attendees to purchase the player after the show. I guess we'll have to wait to find out... I HIGHLY doubt this will be a public promo.

[Ian]

Yes, its at the show only.

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6461370.html

Attendees can buy Toshiba’s entry-level HD DVD player for $99 this week, $200 less than it sells for at retail. The HD DVD Promotional Group is subsidizing the cost.

Too bad I don't know anyone there.