Tried new Toshiba HD-A1

[BostonMark]

I guess my video end isn't as high end as I thought. I bought the Toshiba HD-1A DVD player to try out the new high definition DVDs.

I posted a review here:

New HD DVD Player - The new format wars have begun!

As you can read, for me, the new player wasn't "All that" and wouldn't be without me going out and buying a brand new more expensive projector. Well by the time I can afford to do that, Blue Ray will probably be out. SIGH!

 

[Hi Ho]

That is a good review. One thing I would like to point out, I believe you need to use the analog jacks in order to take advantage of DolbyDigitla TrueHD and the other high resolution formats. There are no receivers avalaible that will decode these formats.

I will reserve my judgement on the unit until I can experience it firsthand. I don't plan to buy anything until the war is over. I am rooting for HD-DVD simply because Sony isn't at the helm (rootkit, among other things...).

I have not invested in an HD display and I am now glad that I haven't. I will buy one that is certain to be compatible with the new formats.

All new formats start out small, with a small selection and buggy equipment. For those reasons, I am rarely a first adopter.

 

[Max997]

I bought the new player and my only complaints are exactly what I expected. The response time is slow and the remote is a joke, other then that I am very happy with the unit.

In order to get the TrueHD Audio to play you do have to use the 2 channel analog out

I am using the component out and I am getting 1080i out. I know the player states you wont but it all depends on the software and initially they were going to block it but they didnt end up doing that. The upconversion does get blocked but there are ways around that

you can buy a HDMI to DVI connector that will enable you to use the HDMI output


I liked Serenity, thought it had a good story with great effects that looked even better in HD

 

[BostonMark]

I did discover the analog outs for audio

I wish I had realized that sooner. Problem is, is that in both my home theater room and bedroom, each of my receivers only has ONE set of six channel analog inputs which I use for my DVD Audio/SACD players. To benefit from the new Dolby HD programs, I have to either get a switch box or choose. I ended up bringing the Toshiba back, I just wanted to use the 30 day return policy to try it out and see how it did. I will probably upgrade my projector or speakers before upgrading to a new DVD technology. I do love SACD and DVD-Audios. One day I'd like to get together for lunch with the other 7 people who also do.

 

[RMK!]

Not all that

I saw the HD-1A in combination with the Westinghouse 42" LCD at Magnolia HIFI today. They were looping a 1080P source HD-DVD and it was nice but really not much if any better than the upscaled image I get on my Denon 3910 and RP/DLP.

If you need a new player and are not worried about the format war then this player would be a reasonable choice. I think I will sit tight and wait for more true 1080P devices and content before jumping in. Not enought of a quality delta to justify the tradeoffs and risk IMHO.

 

[BostonMark]

to be honest

at this point I have no complaints about my Pioneer Elite 47A DVD player and Optoma H30 DLP projector. I write opinions for a consumer website, epinions, and I have to admit, I was just really curious. I knew that if I didn't love it, I could bring it back within the 30 days, so I figured I had nothing to lose except the 25 bucks for the Last SAmuria DVD, which I eventually will probably play once I again pick out a DVD player that plays HD dvds. I would upgrade my projector to a true HD display with HDMI inputs. (thanks to all the darn HDCP I guess I will need to get HDMI inputs)