Yup, there is. Doesn't seem to be any promo double-dips for the PS3, though, so the HD-DVD deals are seemingly more impulse-buy inducing (hard to resist). Still (probably) the best deal around for those on the fence for a PS3.
And they have a 3-for-2 offer on Blu-ray as well. Should mean an additional (up to) $27.95 off for the PS3 too when choosing titles available in both promos.
What about 3rd party players? Toshiba will be more inclined to sell at a crazy loss to establish their format. PS3 is a subsidized player because of the games software. Outside of the HD-A2, HD-DVD add-on and PS3, are players affordable?
If so, the drive tech costs must have plummeted, which ought to mean PS3's production is well below what it started at too. Certainly if Ventura can produce a HD DVD player at $200 and at a profit to make it worthwhile including store markup, the BOM must be well below that. Given the known components of these systems, couldn't an HD DVD drive cost be guessed at? Certainly not $150 or so as a cost-price HD DVD addon. Assume Toshiba breaks even on HD-A2...well, Google seems to think no-one's done a BOM on the HD-A2. Cost of HD DVD and blue laser drives is still very hazy.
The cost of the blue laser diodes certainly have. Although there are other differences between the two, what is most often cited as the major difference makers is the combination of more accurate actuators, the primary lens, and the floating/dual laser pickup. Insiders from both camps seem to amicably agree that the difference is still notable, but not on its impact neither in the near nor long term. I have never seen any solid numbers on how much $ the difference may be either.
It looks like originates from Canada (as in designed) but is contract manufactured in China.
I think that's a bit of a stretch.
Well, possibly. I'm just inheretly skeptical towards 'brands' claims towards the uniqueness and engineering of their product[*]. Usually, I tend to think it extends to picking a custom faceplate and glued on logo, if that. This goes for the big players as well on occasion, but is a virtual certainty for the more generic ones. There's also the obvious reasons for such companies/branches to want to identify themselves and their products as wholly local. If they already have contracts with big retailers, that may very well have set parameters for design and specifications, though.