[Kannisto]

Release dates of some WHV Japan releases seem to be shuffled around.


in Japanese:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20070511/whv.htm


Taking Lives (only announced in Japan so far) was bumped from June 8th release to unknown release date

It has also disappeared from Amazon.co.jp's listings.


Other shuffled release dates may not be so interesting as those other affected discs are already available in U.S...

 

[lgans316]

It's sad to witness the slow death of HD DVD in Japan.

Soon we are going to see Universal titles being released in Blu-ray.

Toshiba sux big time here.


HD-A20 - NOT YET LAUNCHED

HD-XF2 (A2) - $380

HD-XA2 - $900


Only 1 Free HD DVD with purchase of HD DVD player


HD DVD title lowest price - $28

Availability - 2-5%

 

[Ph8te]



Quote:
Originally Posted by lgans316 /forum/post/0


It's sad to witness the slow death of HD DVD in Japan.

Soon we are going to see Universal titles being released in Blu-ray.

Toshiba sux big time here.

Ahh yes because a few releases are delayed here we go with the pending death of the format people

.....Yeah Universal is going to release BR reallll soon

.......Geesh its almost as bad as people saying that Fox is going neutral because they pushed thier titles to a later date....

 

[Kannisto]

This WHV Japan reshuffle of title release dates affected Blu-ray equally, Taking Lives for Blu-ray was similarly bumped and some other titles were also affected for both formats, so it's not any kind of reflection of state of format war in Japan.


Anyway, it's true that release flow is slow in Japan on HD DVD front, WHV Japan is releasing more than anyone else and so far all WHV releases here have been same stuff that's already been released in U.S. I'm hoping Toshiba Ent. would start releasing much more now that they have a new owner but not sure what they'll do. Seems there's not enough market demand for content yet to make the release flow pick up more.


I'm importing most of my stuff anyway, as I did with my DVD collection as well, but would be happy to see more unique Japan releases.


As for player prices, I think they are still cheaper than any stand-alone Blu-ray player prices in Japan market.


HD DVD disc prices are normal compared to DVD and Blu-ray prices in Japan, actually several HD DVD releases are exactly the same price as their DVD equivalents which is nice.


When I bought my HD-XF2 December last year, I got 1 free disc of my choice through Toshiba "rebate" and I also got free Mission Impossible box through the same promotion's "double chance lottery". I'm very happy with the player and those free goodies at that price point comparing to generic price level in Japan

Free discs were also delivered relatively fast. First disc in 3 weeks and the box one month after that (draw for that took place afterwards).

 

[darinp2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Kannisto /forum/post/0


I'm hoping Toshiba Ent. would start releasing much more now that they have a new owner but not sure what they'll do.

I wonder if there were any restrictions placed on the new owners as far as what format they could release on, or if there was at least an understanding that they would stay exclusive to HD DVD. Should be interesting to see what they do.


--Darin

 

[lgans316]

Sitting in a country like Japan where these technologies are born and hearing about importing movies just prompts me to say that the titles are overpriced. Home-grown Japanese may be stu*id enough to buy at premium price but aliens like us still need to think about the cost factor and balance.


I hope that Toshiba beefs up HD DVD promotion in Japan.

The same applies to BD manufacturers coz they are yet to release a standalone BD player in Japan. I know that recorders are very famous but it doesn't mean that Standalone players should never be introduced.


HD adoption here is still way too slow but if the current trend continues one format will die forcing the exclusive studios to release their titles in other format.

 

[Cb-in-Tokyo]

I was in Akihabara last Sunday shopping for HD DVD's (mainly at Ishimaru Denki) and I definitely noticed Blu ray discs were getting the most prominent displays. The HD DVD's were available, but their product placement and look of the display (promotional display not screen display) was absolutely bottom of the ladder. It almost felt like going through a used DVD section.


Japan is an interesting market where perceived quality is far more important than price. HD DVD is not putting out the perception of quality here.

 

[pedra12]

When I was visiting a few weeks ago (with friends in Nagoya), we spent a few hours in Akihabara looking for HD-DVDs. Man it was tough!!!! Most people knew Blu-Ray but it was rare to speak to some one about HD-dvd. I believe I also went to Ishimaru Denki because of a sign out front. I picked up about 4 discs: Shinobi/Volcano High for myself and Reign of Fire and Brothers Grim for my manager.

I thought it would have been pretty easy to find them, but I guess I did not know where to look.