Get Dollars for HD-DVD

Did you plop down big dollars for a high-definition DVD player using Toshiba's HD DVD format -- which recently lost the battle with Sony's Blu-ray format?

Well, depending where you bought it, you may be eligible for a refund or a gift card to ease the disappointment.

Wal-Mart Stores is offering refunds for HD DVD players purchased on or after Nov. 1. To qualify, customers must return the players by April 30 and have a receipt in hand. Original packaging isn't required.

Meanwhile, Best Buy is giving $50 gift cards to customers who bought an HD DVD player or an HD DVD unit for a Microsoft Xbox 360 videogame system anytime before Feb. 23. Gift-card recipients can keep their HD DVD units.

Best Buy says it will mail the gift cards, which don't expire, by May 1 to customers who bought warranties or who are part of its "Reward Zone" program. Other Best Buy customers can call 1-888-BestBuy to participate. Be sure to have your receipt or credit-card information as proof of purchase.

People looking to get rid of a player altogether -- regardless of where it was purchased -- can check out Best Buy's online trade-in center.

You're not looking at great prices when trading in, but it's something. For instance, you'd get $148.50 for a Toshiba HD XA2 unit originally priced at $1,000, and $2.70 apiece for HD DVDs.