Another one taking the plunge - Toshiba HD-A3??

[crashkelly]

Hey all,

Yup, I am jumping on the bandwagon as well. I am looking at the purchasing either the Toshiba HD-A3 or the HD-A30. The only real difference I can see between the two is that the former is 1080i and the later is 1080p (as well as 1080p/24).

Right now I do not have, and probably won't for some time, anything capable of displaying 1080p. The TV I have is only 1080i and the projector I am looking at buying, Panasonic AX200U, is native 720p, although it is capable of displaying 1080p.

The price difference between the two players is $100. Is it worth spending the extra $100??

By the way, a PS3 is also on the buy soon list so I will be enjoying the best of both worlds

Thanks for any input
Michael

 

[darien87]

If you don't have a 1080p display, or plans to purchase one, I'd say save the $100. I don't think I've ever noticed interlacing while watching a 1080i movie.

 

[cmusic]

I bought an A3 two weeks ago at BB for $199 and really love it. I don't have HDMI or 1080p on my RP-HDTV but the 1080i signal from component looks incredible. After upgrading the firmware I have had no troubles except for one scene in Knocked Up that the screen froze for two seconds and the audio was about 1 second off the video. Pausing the movie and pushing play fixed it. It boots up and shows video quicker than the Samsung BD-P1400 Blu-Ray player I bought the same day.

 

[j_garcia]

My set is 1080i only and I have an A2. Looks great Before the firmware update, the A2 was EXTREMELY slow to boot up initially (but quick once it as on). With the latest update, it is much quicker on initial boot, but still isn't blazingly fast compared to a SD DVD player. I agree with Darien, if you only have 720p/1080i, then I'd save the $100 also.

 

[crashkelly]

Thanks to all for the replies.

Well I will not be saving the $100, it will go to some HD DVD movies (Let me see, that will now be the fith copy of Transformers, 2 each of the Autobot/Decepticon Steelbook editions (1 each to watch and 1 each to be kept shrinked wrapped in pristine condition) and now one on HD-DVD. I think I might have a problem )

Thanks again
Michael

 

[patnshan]

If you don't have a 1080p display, or plans to purchase one, I'd say save the $100. I don't think I've ever noticed interlacing while watching a 1080i movie.

I agree, you will not notice any difference at all unless you have a high end TV that can do 24fps. Even if you do, I doubt most people would notice it. Get an A2 or A3 and you'll be set. I have a 720p projector for reference.

Use the money to buy 3-4 movies and enjoy! I recommend transformers be one of them!

Pat

 

[mtrycrafts]

...and the projector I am looking at buying, Panasonic AX200U, is native 720p, although it is capable of displaying 1080p.
Thanks for any input
Michael

Perhaps you may want to consider a 1080p projector?
If the native on this is 720, it may only accept the 1080p video but down-converts it to 720p.

 

[crashkelly]

patnshan,

Transformers is in the bag. Got as one of the two free movies FutureShop was offering with the player. This is in addition to the two in the box and the five from Toshiba mail-in. Guess what I will be doing tonight

mtrycrafts,

Thanks for the suggestion. Money is the discerning factor right now. The AX200U is affordable soon, but a 1080p is not, although I am going to check prices extensively, again, when I am ready to buy. I am not sure off-hand what the AX200U does with 1080p video, I just know it is compatible with it. It has been a bit since I read the specs but it might be time for a review.

Cheers all
Michael

 

[crashkelly]

Well, I did end up taking the plunge, but and the end I ended up with the
HD-30. Got the HD-3 home on Friday and then checked the BestBuy.ca site that night and they were offering the HD-30 for $50 more than FutureShop had the HD-3 on for. Printed the page and took it to FutureShop and they matched the price, + another 10%, as well as the "pick and 2 HD-DVDs in-store deal"

Now to just patiently wait the 10 weeks to get my 5 free HD-DVDs from Toshiba

Cheers all
Michael

 

[darien87]

Thanks to all for the replies.

Well I will not be saving the $100, it will go to some HD DVD movies (Let me see, that will now be the fith copy of Transformers, 2 each of the Autobot/Decepticon Steelbook editions (1 each to watch and 1 each to be kept shrinked wrapped in pristine condition) and now one on HD-DVD. I think I might have a problem )

Thanks again
Michael

Wow and I thought I was bad for buying Stealth twice.

 

[j_garcia]

Wow and I thought I was bad for buying Stealth twice.

Well, I don't see Transformers going collectors anytime soon...so yeah, that is more than off the deep end in my book. I already gave you a hard time about Stealth too

Well, I did end up taking the plunge, but and the end I ended up with the
HD-30. Got the HD-3 home on Friday and then checked the BestBuy.ca site that night and they were offering the HD-30 for $50 more than FutureShop had the HD-3 on for. Printed the page and took it to FutureShop and they matched the price, + another 10%, as well as the "pick and 2 HD-DVDs in-store deal"

Now to just patiently wait the 10 weeks to get my 5 free HD-DVDs from Toshiba

Sounds like a good deal, congrats on the purchase.

 

[crashkelly]

Actually, I order one copy of each of the transformers future shop steel book cases about a month before release and then a couple of days before shipping I changed credit cards and FS hassled be about it as I had ordered with the old card and they were having trouble processing it, so I just
re-ordered with the new card. Got the re-order ones on Friday the week of release and by Sunday one of the kids had put a nice scratch, more like gouge, across the front of the case. Unbenounced to me, they had also shipped the original order and it showed up on the following Tuesday.

I was going to return them, really I was, but I just never did. Then along came the HD-DVD player which meant another copy, but at least this one was free.


j_garcia,

Thanks for the congrats. I am happy with the purchase and the deal. At the end, the 9 free movies will about equal what I paid for the player.


I know there will be more re-buys in the upcoming future as I know that it will hard to go back to standard def, even upconverted

Cheers
Michael

 

[j_garcia]

That's different that outright buying 4 copies though... I do own more than a few copies of The Fifth Element... And a few each of Labyriinth and The Dark Crystal too, and when those hit high def, I'm sure I will pick them up again as well

 

[mtrycrafts]

That's different that outright buying 4 copies though... I do own more than a few copies of The Fifth Element... And a few each of Labyriinth and The Dark Crystal too, and when those hit high def, I'm sure I will pick them up again as well

Well, starting out with VHS, one has to keep upgrading with better video and audio out there. That 240 lines just looks awful on a large presentation But, that is life
Is Dark Crystal coming to HD? that was a fun movie.

 

[crashkelly]

That's different that outright buying 4 copies though... I do own more than a few copies of The Fifth Element... And a few each of Labyriinth and The Dark Crystal too, and when those hit high def, I'm sure I will pick them up again as well

Yeah I have done a few of the re-buys as well, standard edition, director's cut, ultimate edition, uber cool show all your friends edition .

Have my eyes on the Blade Runner briefcase right now. Can put it right beside my Master Commander Halo 3 helment that I am still pissed about not being able to wear

Bought my second copy of Terminator 3 (HD-DVD) yesterday, first one is SD as well as both The Mummy and The Mummy Returns (HD-DVD for the wife to show her she can't live without hi-def either as she will see the difference from the SD versions we already own)

Definately did not buy all 4 Transformers at once, I thought buying two just because of the different cases was bad enough but then I decided they would look good againt my Terminator Ultimate Edition with the brushed aluminum case and my Total Recall Limited Edition 3-D Mars Case, with both of the previous being the third copy of each.

Now I get to start all over when the start producing cool editions of HD-DVD (I know there are a few already, believe me, I have looked).

Hmmm..... I might have an issue or two I think

Cheers
Michael

(I'm off to therapy....)

 

[j_garcia]

Is Dark Crystal coming to HD? that was a fun movie.

I haven't seen anything on it yet, but if it does, I will be picking it up The Superbit is already pretty good in terms of cleaned up video, but the audio is still lacking a bit IMO. The sequel is supposed to be in development right now...originally slated for this year, it now shows a date of 2009.

I was digging through my DVDs looking for something the other day and found my metal case T2 Ultimate I am going to pass on the briefcase version of Blade Runner though.

 

[crashkelly]

I am going to pass on the briefcase version of Blade Runner though

I have my eyes on it but I am waiting to see this one in person just in case the briefcase is quite cheap and cheesy looking.

Although, if it fits, it, the briefcase, might be good to carry around the Grand Theft Auto 4 safety deposit box that is coming with Special Edition in March.

I am really just kidding, sort of , but I do have the GTA4 special edition on pre-order

Cheers
Michael

 

[darien87]

I haven't seen anything on it yet, but if it does, I will be picking it up The Superbit is already pretty good in terms of cleaned up video, but the audio is still lacking a bit IMO. The sequel is supposed to be in development right now...originally slated for this year, it now shows a date of 2009.

They're makin a sequel to Dark Crystal?!?!?! Nice. Who's in charge of it now that Jim Henson's dead? I LOVED that movie as a kid. I had even planned to name my daughther Kira, if I ever had kids.

 

[j_garcia]

They're makin a sequel to Dark Crystal?!?!?! Nice. Who's in charge of it now that Jim Henson's dead? I LOVED that movie as a kid. I had even planned to name my daughther Kira, if I ever had kids.

It is a production of the Jim Henson Company. Here is some info I found:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=12991

My daughter named one of our cats Fizgig because he is a ginger tabby and he is scraggly and moody.

 

[crashkelly]

Just an update

So I have now gone from the HD-A3 to the HD-A30 to the HD-A35.

Got a wicked deal on an HD-A35 ($290CDN) and managed to sell off my HD-A30 for almost what I paid for it, 9 days past 30 day return.

Picked up the A35 as the price was great and it will pass untouched audio to the AVR. I have no use for that feature as of right now but very well might the next time I upgrade my AVR and this will probably be the only HD-DVD player I ever own so I thought I would get the best I could afford.

Cheers and thanks
Michael