Toshiba Announces HDMI 1.3 HD DVD Player for Euro Market

[Clint DeBoer]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/ToshibaHDXE1HDMI13.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 87px" alt=[toshibaHDXE11] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/toshibaHDXE11_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Today Toshiba announced today the introduction on the market of the European-wide first commercially available HD DVD Players. The HD-E1, similar to their current US model, is due to market in the middle of November. At the beginning of December will follow the HD-XE1, which is a bit more technologically advanced and sports higher-quality audio and video performance. The Player comes in a flat black Slimline Design and is equipped with the newest HD DVD technology, and of course the ability to upconvert standard definition DVDs to 720p and 1080i (HD-E1) and even 1080p (HD-XE1). The HD-XE1 supports HDMI 1.3 and Deep Color technology (nonexistent compatible display required of course) which appears to be a first.

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[Electone]

Bye-bye Blu-ray! :D

[zoran]

Wow I want one too!

[Stanton]

Is anyone else as PO'd about the HDMI 1.3 roadblock as I am? I mean, all this "deep color" and "lossless codec" support require these new chip sets on BOTH ends (players, amps, displays, etc.). How many $$ does the CE community think folks have to blow on new hardware? I'm almost glad I still have my (old) component input (only) HDTV monitor, and I shudder to think how much a new (integrated) receiver will cost that can decode and amplify the new audio formats.

[JES14]

Forgive my ignorance if I'm off base, but won't a Rec. with 8 channel analogue inputs(Like my Denon 3802) handle the new audio formats? After all the rec. is only a power amp at that point.

[Stanton]

Forgive my ignorance if I'm off base, but won't a Rec. with 8 channel analogue inputs(Like my Denon 3802) handle the new audio formats? After all the rec. is only a power amp at that point.
The short answer is "yes", but how many receivers are going to support that many analog inputs? For that matter, how many (NOT high-priced) players are going to feature that many analog outputs. If we follow the original DVD model, some high-end players will feature internal decoders with analog outs, but eventually most will cost reduce to optical/coaxial digital connections for multi-channel (and only stereo analog outs).

[JES14]

The short answer works for me:D
But I understand you're point, new hi-def players will probably only have HDMI and or toslink/coax to cut costs further.

[goodman]

Is anyone else as PO'd about the HDMI 1.3 roadblock as I am? I mean, all this "deep color" and "lossless codec" support require these new chip sets on BOTH ends (players, amps, displays, etc.). How many $$ does the CE community think folks have to blow on new hardware? I'm almost glad I still have my (old) component input (only) HDTV monitor, and I shudder to think how much a new (integrated) receiver will cost that can decode and amplify the new audio formats.
Having spent $12,000.00 on audio and video electronics upgrades only three years ago, I feel your pain.

[billy p]

with Toshiba there's light at the end of the tunnel. Blue ray is still a train wreck!! ;)

[mfabien]

The new HD-A2, the G2 for North America, will not have 5.1 multichannel analog outputs. Would not be surprised that the same applies to Europe's HD-E1.

In my case, 5.1 multichannel analogs are a must for the new audio codecs, since I cannot make use of HDMI (using HDMI/DVI cable to TV). Bought an HD-A1 yesterday while they are still available.

[ned]

Where did you get this info?

[mfabien]

From AVS Forum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=720244&page=2&pp=30

Read posts by member DTV TiVo Dealer (#40 & 44). Robert sells them and just received a bunch for special sale before he gets the HD-A2 (G2).

[billy p]

The new HD-A2, the G2 for North America, will not have 5.1 multichannel analog outputs. Would not be surprised that the same applies to Europe's HD-E1.

In my case, 5.1 multichannel analogs are a must for the new audio codecs, since I cannot make use of HDMI (using HDMI/DVI cable to TV). Bought an HD-A1 yesterday while they are still available.

I think you had this player and returned it?
Correct me if I'm wrong? and if that was the case any regrets.
Living in Canada the cost of the new unit with 5.1 analog direct will be even more expensive.

[mfabien]

I think you had this player and returned it?
Correct me if I'm wrong? and if that was the case any regrets.
Living in Canada the cost of the new unit with 5.1 analog direct will be even more expensive.

The news that HD-A2 will not have 5.1 multichannel analogs caused me to again buy an HD-A1 (receiving it next week) because I will not be able to receive transmission via HDMI (I use an HDMI/DVI cable).

Buying an HD-XA2 (with 5.1 multichannel analogs) would be even more expensive. In Canada the present XA1 is over $1,000 CDN.

[billy p]

Reading another thread these players will not play Sacd or Dvd-A, would DD+ and true DD HD be equal to the other 2 formats?:o Also it's passed via pcm direct via Hdmi or analog 5.1 direct, isn't pcm delivered by a coax or optic cable?

[Geoh]

Reading another thread these players will not play Sacd or Dvd-A, would DD+ and true DD HD be equal to the other 2 formats?:o Also it's passed via pcm direct via Hdmi or analog 5.1 direct, isn't pcm delivered by a coax or optic cable?
Yes but not at the high resolutions of DD+, etc....

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Is anyone else as PO'd about the HDMI 1.3 roadblock as I am? I mean, all this "deep color" and "lossless codec" support require these new chip sets on BOTH ends (players, amps, displays, etc.).

Is 48 bit "Deep Color" even going to supported by HDDVD/BRD? Or is it something that will be used on the next great format, subjectivly being called UDTV (Ultra Definition TV)?

Back on topic: Does the HD-E1 downconvert the 1080p disk to 1080i, then upconvert it to 1080p like the Samsung BR player?