Travel Technology - HD-DVD and 10 movies - $199

Toshiba HD-A3 at Amazon.com - $199.98, plus 3 free movies from a selection (Casino, Bourne Supremacy, Last Samurai, Big Lebowski, Shining - not bottom of the barrel stuff, you should be able to find 3 good ones).

Plus Bourne Identity and 300 in the box, plus 5 more from a more limited selection via mail in - at least 3 decent ones here.

I went for the HD-A30, which can output 1080p, for $249. Also available is the HD-A35 with bitstream output of TrueHD and DTS-HD, for those with newer processors.

I posted not too long ago that I was going to hold off on HD-DVD until they get it right. Oh well....

Toshiba HD-A3 at Amazon.com - $199.98, plus 3 free movies from a selection (Casino, Bourne Supremacy, Last Samurai, Big Lebowski, Shining - not bottom of the barrel stuff, you should be able to find 3 good ones).

Plus Bourne Identity and 300 in the box, plus 5 more from a more limited selection via mail in - at least 3 decent ones here.

I went for the HD-A30, which can output 1080p, for $249. Also available is the HD-A35 with bitstream output of TrueHD and DTS-HD, for those with newer processors.

I posted not too long ago that I was going to hold off on HD-DVD until they get it right. Oh well....

If you're not in a huge hurry, you might want to wait and monitor prices on this one - I got the same deal about two weeks ago for $177 all in.

Amazin.

That's quite a deal... but if one just wants to dabble in HD-DVD and NetFlix it, Wal-Mart's $99 Venturer is likely the best way to go. At that price, you can buy it and who cares if the format dies on the vine?

I wish they'd merge formats and get it over with. Or, honestly, I'd just be happy with HD-DVD discs that were coated with whatever they use on BD discs. That stuff is AMAZING. It's hugely difficult to stratch.

I see that at $190 on walmart.com, with no movies. Where is it $99?

If you can find it for that, and don't want the actual movies, then it could be a good option. Walmart should be OK to deal with, and it's the exact same machine - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=943031

One user even reported loading the new Toshiba 1.3 firmware with no problems.

But 10 free movies vs. 0 (or 2, it's not clear on whether Walmart's including 2 or not), I'll stick with the Toshiba, especially at the same price.

MHO: Take the movies and run. I sold the discs on eBay for more than I paid for the player.

So far, Sony is trying to tie up content so the hottest stuff isn't offered in HD, but I'm not sure that strategy will work. I think the fact that an HD player can retail for less than a BullRay can be manufactured for represents the latter's death warrant. Now if Toshiba gets out there and market, market, market - -

Good find, guys!

Linky (http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A3-720p-1080i-Player/dp/B000U62N1S/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197313967&sr=1-1) to A3
To the A30
(http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A30-1080p-DVD-Player/dp/B000U6AHYS/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197313967&sr=1-2)

Just a note on the movies-2 come in the box(bourne and 300)
The 5 after the sale come from Toshiba, you will need to mail this Form (http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/00/00/00/71/79/28/71792861._V25941811_.pdf)

I picked up the A3 from BestBuy couple weeks back for $89(was supposed to be the A2-BB ran out and subbed the A3-BIG ^ to them for that move)

Don't forget to update your firmware once you receive it

The above are good for any Toshiba HD-DVD player purchased from ANY vendor

The additional 5, appears to be an Amazon exclusive offer-you pick at the time of purchase and they are credited off the invoice Details (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_6037812_1?ie=UTF8&docId=1000172611&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=hero-quick-promo&pf_rd_r=075SAP06BW57C450CCSE&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=338989001&pf_rd_i=B000U6AHYS)



I picked up the A3 from BB couple weeks back for $89 (was supposed to be the A2-BB ran out and subbed the A3-VERY nice move)

Is 1800p the only difference between the Toshiba A3 and A30 models?

From what I've read, that's it. 1080p, including 24p. CNet actually had issues with 1080p in testing, saying the 1080i signal was better, and recommended the A3.

I know new firmware has come out, so I figured it was worth shot to give the A30 a try. It's only $50, and Amazon's OK with exchanges if 1080i still looks better.

Not to threadcrap, but don't order the 5 free discs expecting to get them soon. I have 2 orders of 5 discs that I placed late July that are still awaiting shipment.

They don't have any way to check the status online so you have to call in.

Their handling of the free disc promotion has been abysmal. Yes; free is free, but making people wait 6 months is just weird.

Not to threadcrap, but don't order the 5 free discs expecting to get them soon. I have 2 orders of 5 discs that I placed late July that are still awaiting shipment.

They don't have any way to check the status online so you have to call in.

Their handling of the free disc promotion has been abysmal. Yes; free is free, but making people wait 6 months is just weird.

We've been waiting that long or longer. I can't remember anymore.