Amazon.com Product Description Get ready for the next generation of DVD entertainment with the Toshiba HD-A1 DVD player, which is compatible with the new HD DVD format. It combines the superior image and sound quality of high-definition images and multichannel surround sound with the convenience of DVD disc playback. In addition to the new HD DVD format, you'll also enjoy backward compatibility with your current DVD movie CD audio libraries, as well as content burned onto DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, CD-R/RW. The HD-A1 also scales standard definition DVD output via the HDMI connection to a resolution of 720p or 1080i to match your HDTV's performance. And because the conversion takes place in the player, the signal remains free from excessive digital-to-analog conversion artifacts. High definition output is only available from the HD-A1 via an HDMI connection. To get the most out of this player, you'll want to connect it to an HDMI compatible HDTV.
HD DVD movie discs provide the ability to search the on-screen menu, make changes to set-up options or access other menu functions while the movie is playing. Scene searching is facilitated with thumbnail images on the TV screen that allow you to use the cursor to go directly to a specific scene. You can even access bonus material like directorOs comments while the movie is playing without going back to the discOs menu. DVD playback features include fast forward/reverse, slow play, step play, time search, and parental lock.
The HD-A1 has built-in processors to handle the multi-channel decoders for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2 channel), DTS, and DTSHD. It employs the use of four DSPs to decode the multi-channel streams of the wide array of audio formats. These 32-bit floating-point DSPs are world renown for their high accuracy and are employed in many high quality audio solutions in the home theater market.
This DVD player includes a USB interface on the front panel, enabling you to connect "mass storage classification devices"--i.e., external hard drives, portable thumb drives, and compatible MP3 players/digital cameras--and play JPEG, WMA, and MP3 files. You can also connect the player to the Internet via an always-on broadband connection using the Ethernet port in the rear. In addition to accessing special HD DVD sites, this function can be used to access firmware updates when available. Here's the full listing of video and audio connections:
Composite A/V: 1 out
S-Video: 1 out
Component Video: 1 out
HDMI: 1 out
USB: 1
Digital audio: 1 coaxial, 1 optical
HD DVD Disc Format Officially endorsed by the DVD Forum industry organization as the next high-capacity DVD disc, the HD DVD format delivers sharper, more detailed picture performance than standard DVD discs. Moreover, the HD DVD format opens new avenues of interactivity including enhanced on-screen menus, scene searching, directorsO commentaries and the potential for online shopping. HD DVD discs can offer both the current DVD and HD DVD formats on one disc, which means that special HD DVD discs will play in older DVD players as well as new high definition players.
Tech Talk HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV--all over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced or high definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It supports all ATSC formats--standard (SDTV), enhanced (EDTV), and high (HDTV).
Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.
DVD-RAM is the most flexible of the recordable DVD formats when it comes to recording, editing and playback. With a DVD-RAM disc, you'll be able re-record content approximately 100,000 times.
What's in the Box HD DVD player, remote control (with batteries), printed operating instructions
Product Description High Definition DVD video recordings are becoming available. Until now pre-recorded DVD were widescreen but not HD. The Toshiba HD-A1 is among the first to be capable of playing these at resolutions of 720p or 1080i on compatible HDTV TV monitors. HD DVD not only provides a deliverable HD media format to the home, but does so with the potential of greater performance than you have experienced with HDTV. The HD-A1 disc drive has an astounding 36.55Mb per second transfer rate. To put that in perspective, standard DVD has an average bit rate of less than 10Mbps and HDTV's maximum rate is 24Mbps. HDMI is the first industry-supported all digital Audio/video connection providing the transmission of uncompressed digital video and multichannel audio on a single cable. When matched with a compatible HDTV, this single cable connection ensures that all signals remain in their pure digital form. The HD-A1 will output HD content through the HDMI interface in the native format of the HD DVD disc content of either 720p or 1080i. It is backward compatible to virtually all DVD formats in non-HD mode CD including MP3 file CDR. Built-in multichannel decoders for a range of sound formats ensures improved fidelity and sonic realism Four 32-bit floating-point signal processors deliver a soundstage with incredible depth and detail Onboard Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD (2-ch), DTS and DTS-HD Decoding with 5.1 Analog Audio outputs Multi-Channel 24-Bit/192kHz audio DACs Preprogrammed remote control with TV functions centralizes remote operation Parental lock mode Other connections - 1 set of A/V outputs (composite, S-video, component video); Stereo and 5.1-channel audio out; coax and optical digital out; RJ45 Ethernet and 2 front USB Unit Size 17W x 4H x 14D
Good Machine, but don't buy this modelFebruary 7, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a very good machine. It will upconvert regular discs to their highest resolution. It works great with a HDTV and a HDMI cable. I bought mine when it first hit the market, so the prices are fabulous. So why not buy this model?
1. Only plays at 1080i. 1080p is the highest resolution. You can get the A20/A30 for a similar price.
2. a LOT of freezing, especially rentals. I don't have many problems with DVDs I own, but rentals freeze 95% of the time.
3. VERY SLOW. You can go to the bathroom and come back by the time the system is ready. When you push a button, WAIT. It recogninzed the command, but it needs a few minutes to think.
If you don't have a HD player (blu-ray or HD-DVD) then I would by the better model or a PS3.
Stay away!January 15, 2008 1 out of 14 found this review helpful
HD DVD is a dead format! Warner Brothers is going to stop producing HD DVD discs soon. Do a search and you will see many articles about this. The only studios that will be making HD DVD's are Paramount/Dreamworks and Universal. Disney, Buena Vista, Sony, Warner Brothers, New Line, MGM, and Lionsgate all release movies exclusively on Blu-ray.
Do yourself a favor and avoid HD DVD players. The reason the prices are so cheap is that Toshiba knows it is dead and is probably clearing out remaining inventory. You've been warned!
Great item for a great priceJanuary 8, 2008 I got this product for christmas and have been very satisfied with it since then. I have a 720p Optoma HD70 projector (100") that I use with the hddvd player, so I know I am not seeing the entire capacity of the HDDVD player, but let me tell you... going from a regular phillips dvd player with an "upconvert" to this... wow.
I am a college student and have movie nights every sunday night with my friends and they have all noticed a significant difference. The upconvert is slightly better, I would say probably at 15% at best, and seeing the few HDDVDs that I have bought since I got this have shown me how great it is. Transformers looks incredible and Planet Earth is just something else. I am sure that it looks even better on a real 1080p and will probably give it a look whenever I go back home, since my dad has a 57" 1080p TV at the house.
Pros: -Price -Fantastic Quality -Better upconvert (you will never get HDDVD quality with regular DVD, but it does a good job of making it the best it can be)
Cons: -Size (kinda big) -When I first tried using this product, I got sound with no video and was very confused. It still does this but I have figured out what to do. Even tho it is technically "playing" I have to push the play button to get it to play on the video. Minor inconvenience but whatever... I bought it refurbished and thats probably the reason.
Conclusion: I want to give this 4.5 stars not 4, it is a great product, especially with the price. I just didnt like how big it was and that I had to make adjustments to get it to play, but I am sure no one else has this problem so I only mention it in the event someone does and goes WTF?! I am a big movie buff and love watching them, so take it from me when I say that this is a perfect buy. I doubt you need the newer more expensive products that are out unless you really need it to be smaller.
Equipment: Optoma HD70 Projector (720p 100") ~ am using about 85" The wall (no projector screen) RCA HDMI Link Cable
Two thumbs way way downJanuary 7, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have to say - I have been awaiting my first HD-DVD player for some time with great expectation, and this past Xmas my girlfriend bought this player for me.
The first experiences I have had have been really disapointing.
The unit constantly locks up for seemingly no reason requiring hard power downs (yank the plug). It gets very confused as to what resolution it really should run in when playing regular dvd's. The HDMI function is not really usable as it is (I ended up running component through my Denon to upscale because I could not get the player to work correctly with HDMI).
It will not play any of the new HD-DVD's like The Bourne Ultimatum, or Transofrmers without a firmware upgrade, which seems to be impossible to install. Why on earth Toshiba didn't include a firmware upgrade CD with a currently shipping unit is beyond comprehension. I can only assume that they expect the internet upgrade to actually works, however it does not.
On the bright side Toshiba makes the firmware easy to find on google. The issue, however, comes when you try to actually install the new firmware. After a frustrating weekend trying both the internet upgrade (which just flat out seems to not work at all - I suspect that Toshiba changed the name of the server it is supposed to use to download the firmware and it just can't locate the server), and trying three different computers, 3 different ISO CD Writers, and close to a dozen CD-R's - the firmware remains stubornly un-updatable.
I'd have to say that this is one of the worst hardware experiences I have ever had. Toshiba should be ashamed that they have released a product so poorly designed, supported, and un-updatable.
dont buy it, waste of moneyNovember 29, 2007 1 out of 8 found this review helpful
the other comments listed under 1 star are correct, it is a waste of money
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Onkyo HT-SR800 Black Home Theater System $335.96 - $499.00 from 2 stores. User rating:4.0 out of 5.
Neatly Covering All A/V Formats, Precisely Tailored for Your Home
When it comes to all-in-one home theater, the HT-SR800 has made a clean break from the pack. You're looking at packaged home theater that neatly integrates your high-definition entertainment and your HDTV through an HDMI channel that transports video with a resolution all the way up to 1080p. Ably supported by component video switching, the HT-SR800 will handle most of the A/V components or formats currently available, as well as the spectacular quality of high-definition discs. Also, reinforcing the convenience of matched components, this package is the first to use an Audyssey room-correction technology specifically designed for integrated systems. The options - XM Radio (including 5.1 surround sound radio with Neural Surround decoding) and iPod integration-can really extend your reach, making the HT-SR800 one of the more complete home theater packages available.
Special Features-
HDMI Pass Through (2in/1out , 1080P compatible) - A separate audio connection is necessary
"Audyssey 2EQ" Auto room calibration w/Microphone
XM and Sirius satellite radio ready
Sony HT-7100DH Home Theater System $349.95 - $378.08 from 2 stores. User rating:3.0 out of 5. Grab your popcorn and revel in the intense movie-watching experience that is the HT-7100DH home theater system. Take your entertainment to new aural heights as 900 watts of surround sound fill your room while you watch high definition DVD media or listen to XM satellite radio. For fast and easy setup, the HT-7100DH automatically calibrates the included speakers for an optimal sound field and the most dramatic effects. The Digital Media Port (DMP) is also great for when you want to listen to external sources like Bluetooth devices or Walkman music players in powerful 5.1 channel digital surround sound.
Bose 3-2-1 Home Theater System $948.00 - $999.98 from 2 stores. User rating:3.0 out of 5. If you've been looking for a surround sound solution that doesn't require hours of setup and creative ways to hide the wires, the search is over. Introducing the Bose 3-2-1 system, a revolutionary advancement in home entertainment that's much easier to live with. Designed to provide performance and simplicity unmatched by conventional component or all-in-one solutions, this system delights the ears and the eyes.
Five speakers are replaced by two. A stack of electronics is replaced by a single media center that includes an integrated DVD/CD player, AM/FM tuner, amplification and signal processing. A patented Acoustimass module hides easily in a corner or behind your furniture. And everything is easily connected with just three wires and a power cord, making setup a snap. The 3-2-1 system combines an Articulated Array speaker design with proprietary signal processing to give you much of that same performance. Hear the roar of a train from left to right from just two visible speakers positioned in the front of your room. Enjoy a spacious soundstage and lifelike surround effects whether you're watching the game, listening to a favorite CD or enjoying the latest on DVD.
Philips HTS3555 Home Theater System $146.95 - $250.81 from 2 stores. User rating:4.9 out of 5. This state-of-the-art digital home entertainment system delivers powerful surround sounds and a theater-like audio/video experience. The ultimate in both style and performance.PRODUCT FEATURES:Dock included for GoGear and iPod;USB Direct plays photos and music from USB flash drives;MP3 Line-in for music playback from Portable Media Players;1080i HDMI with high definition video upconversion;DTS, Dolby Digital and Pro Logic II surround sound;12-bit/108MHz video processing for sharp, natural images;DivX Ultra for enhanced playback of DivX media files;Plays CD, (S)VCD, DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL;Plays DivX, MP3, WMA and JPEG digital camera photos.
Bose 3-2-1 GS Series II Graphite Home Theater System $798.00 from 1 store. User rating:3.0 out of 5. The Bose 3ท2ท1 GS II DVD home entertainment system puts you at the center of exciting home theater with greater simplicity and fewer wires. Just two visible Gemstone speaker arrays - the smallest, most powerful 3ท2ท1 speakers - and a hideaway Acoustimass module deliver enhanced sound performance from almost anything you watch. Setup is simple: no center or rear speakers means no wiring to the back of your room. An elegant media center features a progressive scan DVD/CD player with AM/FM tuner. And an easy-to-use universal remote control is programmable to run most of your entertainment devices together with your system.
