1946 replies to this topic

[MarkH]

williamtassone, on Oct 26 2006, 05:16 PM, said:

If the Gen 2 players arrive in December thats great but I wouldn't be counting on major discounts as demand will exceed supply

I'd hate a stern salesperson not budging on price, and the consumer decidin g to jump into BR. A bit of flexibility from both retailer and consumer would be nice.

[Felix.]

There is no question that it is a fair bit cheaper to import a player now if the RRP of AUD1,199 of the local product holds true. It's now just a question of how individually you value an Australian 12 mths warranty and Region 4 playback of SD-DVDs. And whether you are prepared to pay substantially more for those attributes and wait at least another month probably two for the HD-E1 to arrive in stores. Also the lack of 5.1 analogue audio out in the HD-E1 is something prospective buyers of HD-DVD should note. Not an issue for me but may be an issue for some.

[Trigg]

williamtassone, on Oct 26 2006, 03:16 PM, said:

I can relate to that

Remember around august 2003 when Toshiba released the last of their great DVD players??

The sd-9500 at RRP $3000

It pipped the denon flagship at the time for picture quality and no-one was giving discounts for over 18 months

If the Gen 2 players arrive in December thats great but I wouldn't be counting on major discounts as demand will exceed supply

I personally don't think there is a huge demand at this point in time for either HD DVD or Blu Ray in Aust. I'd be surprised if they even shift stock for some time. Apart from the hype on these threads not too many people out there are even aware of HD DVD and Blu Ray.

Consumers aren't even will to pay the premium price for a 1080 display yet, let alone a DVD player that cost a thousand bucks!

It will be some time before there is a demand!

[kamma]

MarkH, on Oct 26 2006, 05:05 PM, said:

From memory nobody (inc. me) who imported a HD-DVD player (or BR) from this forum got hit with import duty. Remember, the goods will have a customs sticker saying DVD player...not an $800 product.

i was prettysure i remember reading dazbug waiting for his player to clear customs. i took that as waiting for payment of duty, i may be wrong. i have been in the past and will be again  

[MarkH]

kamma, on Oct 26 2006, 05:30 PM, said:

i was prettysure i remember reading dazbug waiting for his player to clear customs. i took that as waiting for payment of duty, i may be wrong. i have been in the past and will be again  

Everything has to clear customs, its just whether you get hit or not thats the big question!!!

[kamma]

MarkH, on Oct 26 2006, 05:40 PM, said:

Everything has to clear customs, its just whether you get hit or not thats the big question!!!

i remember paying duty on a set of taylormade irons once. still cheap

[AndrewW]

kamma, on Oct 26 2006, 05:30 PM, said:

i was prettysure i remember reading dazbug waiting for his player to clear customs. i took that as waiting for payment of duty, i may be wrong. i have been in the past and will be again  

everything has to go through customs.

this covers (potentially) being xrayed/sniffer dogged for drugs/explosives/other contraband and someone processing the customs declaration to see if any duty is due.

as previously mentioned, anything imported with a value of under $1000 is not subject to duties or GST.

Andrew.

[mav]

Everything goes through Customs when entering Australia ( edit: there appears to be an echo in this forum ) but if the total cost of your item plus shipping is less than AU$1000.00 then no duties are payable. The problem that hits some people is that if you import to many things in a short period of time Customs can add the totals of all the imports together and then hit you with a duty bill on the total.


As for warranties I actually received a 4 year worldwide warranty on my XA1 which covers parts and labour at an authorised Toshiba repair facility, luckily there is such a place just around the corner from me. It is not a Toshiba provided warranty but it nice to know it is there should I need to use it. This warranty is specifically designed for people who buy in the US and then have the item shipped around the world for whatever reason. The company states it is for people who may be in the military or other jobs that require them to be posted around the world.

Cheers

Mav

[Trigg]

mav, on Oct 26 2006, 05:20 PM, said:

As for warranties I actually received a 4 year worldwide warranty on my XA1 which covers parts and labour at an authorised Toshiba repair facility, luckily there is such a place just around the corner from me. It is not a Toshiba provided warranty but it nice to know it is there should I need to use it. This warranty is specifically designed for people who buy in the US and then have the item shipped around the world for whatever reason. The company states it is for people who may be in the military or other jobs that require them to be posted around the world.

Cheers

Mav

Thats great Mav.  Where did you source your A1 from?

[momaw]

Trigg, on Oct 26 2006, 07:29 PM, said:

Thats great Mav.  Where did you source your A1 from?

Mav is under a strict non disclosure agreement....




....but I heard it was area 51 - He actually got an xa9

[SDL]

and most things manufactured in teh US are now duty free under the FTA rulings. Not sure that covers Toshiba gear though

[dazbug]

Yes mine was in customes but it wasnt that long. when i logged into usps the tracking showed was in customs, but in actual fact it was in the delivery drivers truck.   So in actual fact it wasnt in customs very long, just the online tracking was a miss.

Anyone waiting, your crazy.  My HD-A1 works flawlessly.  And who cares about sd dvd really. once uve seen hd dvd, you wont buy any more sd dvd anyway.  end of the day just leave ur sd dvd hooked up for the occasional rental or back catalogue.

Will be like vhs, trust me. cant even remember when i watched a vhs last and have got any movies i owned on that on dvd.

Wish i got the HD-XA1 remote though, as need a torch to find the buttons.  Anyone wanna sell me there

[mav]

dazbug, on Oct 26 2006, 10:05 PM, said:

Wish i got the HD-XA1 remote though, as need a torch to find the buttons.  Anyone wanna sell me there

Not in this lifetime Daz.

[williamtassone]

dazbug, on Oct 26 2006, 10:05 PM, said:

.  And who cares about sd dvd really. once uve seen hd dvd, you wont buy any more sd dvd anyway.

how true is that- in the last 6 months I've bought 2 sd-dvd's.

And one of those 2, Kingdom Of Heaven, is coming out in Blu Ray soon.

[mav]

Trigg, on Oct 26 2006, 07:29 PM, said:

Thats great Mav.  Where did you source your A1 from?

Sorry mate but I made a promise to the retailer not to disclose who they were as all Toshiba partner resellers in the US are bound by agreement with Toshiba not to sell outside the USA. I think the only reason they broke their rule in this case is that I begged, pleaded and grovelled just the right amount for them to feel sorry for me and also because they wanted to make way for the A2/XA2.

[dazbug]

wonder where i could get a hd-xa1 remote ...hmm ill have to look around.

One other thing i noticed, everyone on avsform kept saying if using 5.1 analogue outs they had to crank up there volume.  Not me its probably louder in 5.1 mode than coax.  Maybe its because my receiver allows full bass management through the analogues.

Anyway im in HT heaven.  now i just need a 1080p projector..lol  do we ever stop upgrading

[mav]

dazbug, on Oct 26 2006, 10:20 PM, said:

Anyway im in HT heaven.  now i just need a 1080p projector..lol  do we ever stop upgrading

Never, wash your mouth out with soap!  

I am waiting for the PT-AE1000 which is due early in the new year, I am already saving the dollars for it.

[dJOS]

dazbug, on Oct 26 2006, 10:20 PM, said:

One other thing i noticed, everyone on avsform kept saying if using 5.1 analogue outs they had to crank up there volume.  Not me its probably louder in 5.1 mode than coax.  Maybe its because my receiver allows full bass management through the analogues.

Anyway im in HT heaven.  now i just need a 1080p projector..lol  do we ever stop upgrading

I've using HDMI to pump Multi-Channel LPCM to my 2600 and I must sat that the sound is mind blowingly good - I'm using the THX Cinema mode.  

[Skid_MacMarx]

alebonau, on Oct 25 2006, 05:34 PM, said:

holy crap ! is that the first HD-DVD up for sale in Oz ?

bloody hell..already I didnt think that woudl happen for quite a while

I tell you guys of ezydvd is selling them this is goign to be mainstream in no time

and look at the price $29.99 ! thats pretty fair ! I was expecting a much higher sticker price for HD-DVD

this is sensational news !

it will be released on both HD-DVd and Blu-Ray Al
http://www.amazon.co...t/dp/B000HEVYZ4
shame no PCM5.1 .. that would test out the HT system..

If it wasn't for the boys having playstation ..i'd probably rush out and order an HD_DVD player myself from the states..

then again i'd have to a 1080p display as well

if you like the concert.. the Metheny / Mehldau  album is 5 stars...

[Trigg]

This is an added bonus for anyone buying the new Toshi's

http://www.highdefdi...layer_Sold_/326

[momaw]

Trigg, on Oct 27 2006, 09:30 AM, said:

This is an added bonus for anyone buying the new Toshi's

http://www.highdefdi...layer_Sold_/326

But will we get the same deal here?  Usually those sorts of deals are only valid if you live in the US.  Still I suppose it should boost sales there which is a good thing.

[williamtassone]

jeffpr, on Oct 27 2006, 09:42 AM, said:

i think i would rather have the discs in with the player or able to chose at point of sale. Who wants to wait 3-6 weeks for delivery?

if u are referring to delivery of the discs I find if I order by Amazon or dvd pacific on the weekend by priority post  the discs arrive at my door by friday.

I know priority post costs more but at least its lightning fast and it is sent by registered post so u are covered if stuff gets lost

[MarkH]

williamtassone, on Oct 27 2006, 10:53 AM, said:

if u are referring to delivery of the discs I find if I order by Amazon or dvd pacific on the weekend by priority post  the discs arrive at my door by friday.

I know priority post costs more but at least its lightning fast and it is sent by registered post so u are covered if stuff gets lost

I have spent a substantial amount of money with Amazon over the years, though I only use standard post. However, whenever items failed to turn up they didnt hesitate to issue a replacement order ASAP. Great service if yu ask me.

[momaw]

williamtassone, on Oct 27 2006, 10:53 AM, said:

if u are referring to delivery of the discs I find if I order by Amazon or dvd pacific on the weekend by priority post  the discs arrive at my door by friday.

I know priority post costs more but at least its lightning fast and it is sent by registered post so u are covered if stuff gets lost

I don't think you can chose shipping methods on mail in redemptions

MarkH, on Oct 27 2006, 11:02 AM, said:

I have spent a substantial amount of money with Amazon over the years, though I only use standard post. However, whenever items failed to turn up they didnt hesitate to issue a replacement order ASAP. Great service if yu ask me.

Amazon is quite good with shipping.  I always chose expediated - not as fast as a courier but not much slower.  Ordered some discs last thusday and they showed up yesterday.  1 week is quite acceptable.

As you say Mark, they are also great if there is a problem. My sister ordered me the complete Monkey collection last year for christmas and it didn't show.  They replaced it no questions asked - and that wasn't a cheap set either.  That was amazon uk.  never lost a thing from the US in nearly 10 years of usage.