[Claw97000]

Just noticed on Walmart website that they now list the Venturer player as clearance, meaning they probably are going to stop stocking this player. I remember all the build up and excitement about a "cheap, affordable player for the masses" that this player was going to be to bring HD DVD to the top with the average consumer. I guess it all makes perfect sense though, with the Warner announcement and Toshiba taking the approach of drastically reducing the prices on the Gen 3 players, the Venturer isn't quite the low price solution anymore, since it is essentially a non-Toshiba A3 (why buy a Venturer A3 for 199 when you can get an Toshiba A3 for 129?). Kinda makes me feel like Venturer was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

[sharkcohen]

Rumor has it Venturer is actually the manufacturer of the A3. If true, they're doing just fine.

 

[thebland]



Quote:
Originally Posted by sharkcohen /forum/post/12947896


Rumor has it Venturer is actually the manufacturer of the A3. If true, they're doing just fine.

Not if the biggest retailer in the world is clearing them out and you cannot buy them at any B+M outfit.


They may be OK...but not in the USA.

 

[The Doctor]



Quote:
Originally Posted by sharkcohen /forum/post/12947896


Rumor has it Venturer is actually the manufacturer of the A3. If true, they're doing just fine.

Huh? If they are the A3 manufacturer then they doing great.

I thought Venture was just an importer or a brand name?

 

[blainehamilton]

Hey, if it means Toshiba still sells the players for $129, but the venturer drops to $50 with the 2 discs, why complain?


If the market goes nuts for HD DVD again in terms of sheer players installed and operating, nothing stops the manufacturer and retailers from building and stocking them again...

 

[Don't h8]



Quote:
Originally Posted by thebland /forum/post/12948316


Not if the biggest retailer in the world is clearing them out and you cannot buy them at any B+M outfit.


They may be OK...but not in the USA.

This makes no sense. If Venturer is the manfucturer fo the A3 (assumption based on this thread), and the biggest retailer is still stocking the A3, but clearing out the Venturer branded stock, then Venturer is still doing fine as the retailer is still selling Venturer products even if Venturer's branded equipment is not stocked.


There are many companies that are contract manufacturers, and do quite well in that arena, that also branch off into marketing their own branded equipment which are not as well recieved. However, this does not mean that company does not do well, it is just their niche is not in marketing their own branded equipment.

 

[Claw97000]

Does anyone know for sure if Venturer DOES manufacture the A3? If so, then I guess no big deal if their brand player goes bye bye.

 

[SuperGrafx]

I seriously can't figure out the walmarts in my area.

They have the usual current A3 for $149.

Then there's a few NIB HD-A2's marked at $148 which they absolutely refuse to mark down even though I've mentioned that these are older models and don't come with any pack in movies like the A3.


And wouldn't you know it, they also have 2 of the old RCA HD-A1 models still sitting in a clearance area for $298 in this same store. I only wonder how long those will sit there at that price?

 

[Claw97000]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperGrafx /forum/post/12952056


I seriously can't figure out the walmarts in my area.

They have the usual current A3 for $149.

Then there's a few NIB HD-A2's marked at $148 which they absolutely refuse to mark down even though I've mentioned that these are older models and don't come with any pack in movies like the A3.


And wouldn't you know it, they also have 2 of the old RCA HD-A1 models still sitting in a clearance area for $298 in this same store. I only wonder how long those will sit there at that price?

Walmart is crazy with clearance prices, they seem to have zero consistancy regarding markdowns, whereas Target does a steady 30, 50, 75 for all its stuff. But at least they are both better than Kmart with pricing in general. I went into a Kmart very recently that was charging 30 bucks for a 64 MB SD card, no lie lol.

 

[Snickering Hound]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Claw97000 /forum/post/12951650


Does anyone know for sure if Venturer DOES manufacture the A3? If so, then I guess no big deal if their brand player goes bye bye.

It's manufactured by Alco in China. Toshiba badges it as the A3 and Venturer imports it as well.

 

[dsmith901]

My local Sam's Club has HD-DVD players (A-3) at the lowest price since the Walmart blitz special. Without mentioning the exact price I can say it was less than $129, and still has the 2 free movies and a free HDMI cable. If I did not already have the Walmart A-2 I would have bought one.

 

[jwebb1970]

My guess is that WM is dumping the Venturer as the name brand version (Toshiba) can be had for less $$.