SHD7000
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Poll: Is your Wal-Mart scaling back its HD DVD player lineup?
Rest assured, this certainly isn't the first time we've heard stories of certain Wal-Marts trimming down its HD DVD lineup, but a new report from TG Daily asserts that "industry sources" have informed the site that the mega-corp will be "phasing out the RCA HDV5000 as well as the Venturer SHD7000 models." If you'll recall, the latter unit has only been available at Wally World for two months (and change), but apparently, both devices are being heavily discounted and won't be restocked once inventory is depleted. By now, we've learned to see all of these "reports" through the eyes of a skeptic, so we're putting it to you to see just how widespread these supposed firesales are. Have you noticed any unusual price cutting or disappearing acts in your local Wal-Mart? %Poll-9506%
Venturer's SHD7000 HD DVD player now at Wal-Mart for $200
Remember when all our hopes were lost after Fuh Yuan retracted a statement that got us worked up over a $299 HD DVD player at Wal-Mart? Ironically enough, an off-brand player is indeed finally available through the aforementioned retailer some seven months later, but frankly, we're underwhelmed. Sure, the 1080i SHD7000 -- which is being sold at $199.98, a full $50 lower than we'd heard previously -- isn't exactly a terrible deal, but considering that Toshiba's own HD-A2 can apparently be had for the same, what's to get all jovial about? Nevertheless, we're also hearing that Venturer is getting set to launch the SHD7001 -- which should boast minor cosmetic enhancements, if anything -- a month from today through the UK's QVC TV Home Shopping Channel. Regrettably, there's no word on how pricey that model will be, nor if it will be a UK exclusive, but considering the exchange rate right now, we've all ideas the Americans won't be keen on importing one no matter what.Read - Wal-Mart's $199.98 SHD7000Read - SHD7001 set for December launch
Venturer's low-cost HD DVD player, not so low
Thanks to the sharp eyes over at Format War Central we get our first glimpse of the budget Chinese HD DVD player, but it isn't quite as budget as many had hoped. Target has SHD7000 available for pre-order for $249.99, which is only $50 less than the MSRP of the A2, and about the same as the street price. There really aren't that many details, so we'll have to wait two to six weeks to see what Venturer really has to offer and what the actual street price will be.[Via FormatWarCentral.com]
Venturer announces SHD7000 low-cost HD DVD player for holidays
Chinese firm Venturer has apparently been hard at work on a budget HD DVD player, which it's claiming will be out the door and onto store shelves in the US by this holiday season. The SHD7000 should have ethernet, DVD upconversion, HDMI, but the thing only outputs to 1080i, despite supporting TrueHD audio. We don't know just how cheap the SHD7000 is going to be, but entry-level is entry-level, so we expect it'll be less expensive than your other options, save Microsoft's $180 Xbox 360 add-on. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Meet the Venture SHD7000 HD DVD player
Boy it sure took long enough, but finally, a company other then Toshiba is producing an HD DVD player. Sure, it might be made by the same company that produces those low-cost Walmart DVD players, but before you say anything, think back a few years. Remember when DVD players where a thing for AV geeks and gadget lovers, costing around $150 to $200 per player? Companies like Venture, APEX, and all those other random Chinese companies did what CE giants like Sony and Toshiba couldn't - get people to kick their VCRs to the curb with low-cost DVD players. We aren't saying those DVD players are still alive and kicking but those cheap units put a DVD player in every home across the country. There aren't many details about the Venture SHD7000, besides it plays HD DVD movies. We are assuming it has the mandatory HD DVD requirements of persistent storage, network interface and HDi support but other then that, we have nothing. Hopefully when more details emerge, they will include a price of around $100 and a launch date that is sooner then later. Just when you thought the format wars where dying down, here come the Chinese. FYI - Venture is based out of Canada with a Chinese manufacturing partner, Alco.
