http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/ Engadget HD Comments for Venturer's low-cost HD DVD player, not so low http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
The (gen 2) Toshiba HD A2 is officially $299 (which IIRC is what the gen 3 HD A3 is going to be) but is available at a 'street price' now for approx $200/$210.

I just don't see how a 'budget' Chinese HD DVD player can be more expensive than the Toshiba alternative, that doesn't make any sense.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:53AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 10:14AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 10:28AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Toshiba is I think trying to saturate their market with their cheap players as soon as possible. Thinking we will forgive them later when they have market saturation and better cheaper players out. And we will forgive them.


So, I wouldn't recommend Toshibas cheap player and I certainly wouldn't recommend this Venturer player.

I just think its better to put something out that is a couple hundred dollars more and reliable quality. ]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:40AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 10:51AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 10:58AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:03AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:48AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 2:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:55AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:15AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:17AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:47AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:56AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 10:56AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 10:58AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 10:59AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:14AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:24AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
This holiday season will be interesting.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:20AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
When you power on your machine, there is no hesitation? Like, its a 15 second pause before its displayed on the screen.

]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:38AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
I just think its better to put something out that is a couple hundred dollars more and reliable quality."

--Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more!
Unless you have lots of extra money, why buy a $400 HD DVD player now? How about spend $200 now, and then if it's broken in 3 years, spend your extra $200 at that time. In 2 years, the $200 "cheap" player will be much better than the $400 "nice" player that's available now!!
Such is the era of disposable media.

Until a company with really high build quality gets in the game (Denon, etc.) then it's a better buy to just go cheap.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:35AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:42AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
My original Toshiba DVD player I purchased back in '96 or '97 was as good a product as money could buy and was purchased from a local high end store. As a matter of fact, it sat on the shelf right next to all the B&O, NAD and Denon equipment and it wasn't a bit out of place. Sure, everyone is using more plastic than they used to but that is just how it is now. Pricing is out of sight otherwise.]]>Oct 4th 2007 6:23PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
There are a lot of consumers that have no interest in a game console, so $150 would be a waste of money. $150 is still a lot of money to a lot of people.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:38AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:47AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
--That is exactly my dilemma, though I wouldn't call it a "no-brainer." $150 is still $150 (or 7 HD movies!). Although that's a great price for a game system--to anyone remotely interested in a next gen system, which I am--games systems are money pits in terms of accessories, games, on-line fees, etc.

The nice thing about the PS3, though, is it helps alleviate the risk associated with jumping into the HD disc game so early. Sony will be putting out content for the PS3 for at least 6 years. So no matter who "wins" the HD disc format war (answer--no one), the money won't be wasted.

We'll just have to see how gutted the $400 PS3 really is first.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:41AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:53AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 11:51AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
I actually own both products and dont have an emotional attachment to either. I was only commenting on my HDDVD player but I can assure you it is not "lightyears" ahead. The other is a lot clearer, crisper and responsive in just my one case. ]]>Oct 2nd 2007 7:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
Kevin Murphy- I have no idea what you are talking about. I have no slowness in menu or menu navigation. Yes, The cheapest players which are less than $200 are low end.

Dave- There are plenty of good PS3 games. ]]>Oct 2nd 2007 12:48PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
No, really there aren't, for a system that has been out as long as it has the choices are very limited.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 2:07PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 2:09PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 12:44PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
I dare you to name 5.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 2:27PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
Resistance fall of man
Motorstorm
Folklore
Heavenly sword/ninja gaiden sigma
Oblivion/Dynasty warriors gundam(if you refuse to count crossplatform)



There are more minor games that are fun also but for those kind of games I like to get PS2 versions and play them upscaled.There are more games to play then I have time for. I'm still going though my PS2 backlog.

When you get beyond the A level games there aren't that many out for the 360,wii or ps3. Halo3,dead rising, gears of war and Forzia are the only 360 games I really consider being worth $60. For all of it's sales wii sports was the best wii game I could get my hands on, although people liked the Zelda game to pieces.

Just like the HD war, there is a lack of content on the next gen video game systems.


So Andrew,
since you were so down on PS3 games name 5 games that aren't ,halo,gears of war, forzia or dead rising. The xbox must have plenty of games other than the big 4 that are awesome after 2 years on market.

If you are a Wii supporter stop the hate. Both the PS3 and wii are less than a year into the market. I wouldn't expect the wii to full library yet.
]]>Oct 2nd 2007 5:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
Responsiveness, A-OK. Load times about 15 seconds. Menu responsive.

Price? Get this. The guy they got from the temp agency quoted me $499. Yep, I asked if he was sure and why it was more than the Tosh players, he said, yep $499, it cost more because it has more features.

The guy who looked like he was acutally working for Toshiba was busy on stage telling me to "get in the game!", his words not mine. Talk about marketing hype.

I'll admit it, if they get the Venturer out the door for $149, I'll consider it. Otherwise, I'll be on the sidelines if anyone neds me.

For a full review of Digital life, check out my next episode, Episode 19.

Marshall
------------
The Real HT Info Podcast ]]>Oct 2nd 2007 2:29PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 7:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
That is of course until you realize that target.com is just a shell for Amazon. Look at the additonal info and sure enough there is the ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number): B000W7O43U]]>Oct 2nd 2007 3:13PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 7:34PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
Since Heavenly Sword is a 8/10 game, then the 360 has a LOT of those..


On the xbox 360, i'll name you more than 5 exclusive games that you didn't mention:
Bioshock
Mass Effect (just like Folklore you mentioned, it's not out yet)
Moto GP
Project Gotham Racing 3/4
Dead or Alive 4 (it's more than just bouncing boobs)
Lost Planet (sort of an 8/10 game like heavenly sword)
Saint Row
Prey
Viva Pinata
and even Perfect Dark Zero was acceptable]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:39PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
I'll personally be buying a Toshiba player, since I prefer buying brand-name merchandise. (I even might just buy another Xbox360 just to have the console on both floors of my house)]]>Oct 2nd 2007 8:01PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 2nd 2007 8:11PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
After all, if Best Buy is selling the A2 with two free movies ($50 minimum at their prices), the J6P retail price is already at $250.

This Xmas is make-or-break for Toshiba, so they are going to flood the market. If they wait for BD to get cheap & 2.0, they will lose. If they convince Warners to go exclusive, they win. So they need to sell zillions of players.

I kind of expect the Venture thing to be at $150 and the A3 at $200, after rebates, by December 25th. They may even be lower.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 8:49PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
When it comes to making the list I left some low hanging fruit. Bioshock may be my next game. My PC hasn't been getting much love since February.

What is the list of those 9.0+ rated games? If the xbox360 has oh so many games the list should be HUGE. I should have asked for 5 and gotten 20 if the taunting was valid. There just aren't that many awesome games yet for any next gen system. Sony has done very well in the 10 months since launch.

It's like people expect the PS3 to already have 10 'A' titles when the xbox 360 barely has that many with years on the market. It takes a while for that stuff to appear.

I have a ps3, and I have a buddy with a Wii and another with a 360. There are many solid games but not that many 'omg you gotta come over and try this' games.



]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/PGR3
PGR4
Oblivion
Skate
Alien Hominid
Blue Dragon
Burnout Revenge
Call of Duty 2
Call of Duty 3
Call of Juarez
Carcassonne
Chromehounds
Condemned: Criminal Origins
Crackdown
Dead or Alive 4
Dead Rising
DiRT
F.E.A.R.
The Darkness
Fight Night Round 3
Flatout Ultimate Carnage
Forza 2
Gears of War
Guitar Hero 2
Halo 3
Kameo: Elements of Power
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
NHL 08
Prey
Test Drive Unlimited
The Bigs
Rainbow Six: Vegas
Splinter Cell: Double Agent
GRAW
GRAW 2
...

I drew the line at about 8.5+. There are still games I enjoy that I didn't put in this list. The best PS3 game is probably RFOM--and that didn't exactly get super-stellar reviews. Gears of War kicked the crap out of it.]]>Oct 3rd 2007 12:06AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/**** Come on people, they're putting poison in our children's toys. ****
Boycott all Chinese products! Have some dignity.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:47PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
Sorry but many of those games are merely good. Given that list I can extend the PS3 list pretty long also. Resistance fall of man was the best launch title, it's not the best ps3 game.

David,

I didn't realize the folklore wasn't US released yet. The demo was very fun to play in a weird world kind of way. Mass effect does look cool. It's one of the titles that will make me want to borrow a 360 for a few months.

BTW you didn't name xbox360 exclusives. Bioshock is also for the PC, hence I'm getting it sooner than later. I don't actually care but you mentioned it. Reading along so is prey but I don't care much for that game.

The games you mentioned are mostly solid playing games. Except lost planet. That game sucked. The PS3 had plenty of solid but non exceptional games also.


It's not that the xbox360 sucks but the PS3 has a far stronger game library than xbox fans claim and the 360's weaker than claimed. A bit like when people say the xbox 360 only has shooters, also not true.]]>Oct 3rd 2007 1:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/Oct 3rd 2007 7:06AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/http://hd.engadget.com/2007/10/02/venturers-low-cost-hd-dvd-player-not-so-low/
People might avoid toys however.]]>Oct 3rd 2007 7:40AM