Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Toshiba HD-A2 player - it's getting cheap

I jumped in with the A-2 a week ago, replacing my 2910 which I'll sell since I don't use SACD or DVDA.

Very pleased with the video quality of both SD and HD. I would say that A2 is a slightly better up convertor than the 2910 for SD.

I use the optical connector for audio to my MMC-1.

I don't see myself buying either format for quite some time. I watch my DVD's on my HTPC which is outputting 1080P to my LCD. I'm happy with how they look...for now.

I agree with mdrew that we will have no winner in this format war. Neither of these formats are going to replace the DVD. Unless, Walmart decides to exclusively back HDDVD. I read an article over at audioholics.com about a month ago that there were rumors of Walmart carrying HDDVD players and stocking only HDDVD discs. That could make HDDVD a winner for the format war if it happens. We'll just have to wait and see for that.

It would be easy for both Hi-def formats to replace the DVD even in the current situation (ignoring Walmart for now). Rather than pricing these Hi-def formats for more than DVD's, price them for less. If a new DVD is priced at $19.99 then price the Hi-def formats at $14.99 or $12.99. Obviously, the studios would have to be the ones to push this. It's not like the studios or retailers would be losing money selling them even at this price. Furthermore, if the stores started mixing the DVD's and Hi-Def formats together and the consumers could see this then within 2 years both formats would replace the DVD. Especially, considering that we can now get the Toshiba player for $200 to $300 and get 5 free HDDVD's.

However, I know that I am just dreaming. The studios could care less if one format or the other wins. They only care about making money and with DVD's they are making money hand-over-fist. And there is no way that any stores would stock DVD's and Hi-def dvd's together. They know that the customer service department would be overrun with consumers trying to return the Hi-def dvd because it wouldn't play in their dvd player. Since the average consumer has no idea how these are different that a regular dvd.

- Nick

I wonder how this player stacks up to the Oppo 970 in the upconversion of the SD dvds. Currently I'm using Denon 1600 progressive so either one would be better than what I got now. But for $200 I'm not sure which is best, other than the Toshiba will play HD DVD and the oppo will not.

Can anyone comment on PQ and SQ of the XBox 360 add-on HD drive compared to the Toshiba?

Trying to justify the Box for my boy's birthday.

Scott

Edit: OK really trying to justify the excuse to get a cheap(er) HD-DVD player

Imo the PQ and SQ of the 360 add-on is very good, I think the PQ is a little better on my HDXA2 but nothing to stand and shout about. SQ is about the same when using standard sound formats, I bought the Toshiba so I could get the uncompressed formats.
The nice thing about the 360 add-on is the fast loading time, I don't think you will be dissapointed if you get one.