Toshiba X-a20 Or X1a

shahmichael@com

I have a chance to buy either at the same price,the xa1 has the latest update.I know both are very good,any thoughts,and are either that much better than sony dvp-ns75h upscale player which I already own.

millerman 3732

Are you talking about the XA1 and XA2 HD DVD players? If so I 'd for sure go with the XA2 its playes HDDVD's at 1080p and one of the best upscaling SD DVD players you can buy. But if you mean an XA1 or an A20, well if you don't have an HDMI receiver get the XA1, it has 5.1 analogs and you can use it to decode the new surround formats, but if you have an HDMI receiver in that case it get the A20 because you want need the analogs and I belive it will out put 1080p.

MikeC78

He has an HDMI receiver, grab the A20 or XA2 depending on how much you want to spend.

If you want the best upconvertor for SD, get the XA2.

ViperZ

I think he is talking about A20 and XA1. I had the same dilemma, but picked XA1 exactly because it has analog outs for full 5.1 HD sound. My plasma only has DVI and supports up to 1080i, so XA1 is perfect.

shahmichael@com

I did mean xa1,you know the first thing to go is your mind,my avr does have hdmi in and outputs and I am using them now.The price for either one is so good that it is which one has better features.They both seem to have a great picture quality.I wonder which one has better audio formats as it seems that may be the difference.

millerman 3732

Will your display accept a 1080p signal? If so I'd go with the A20. Audio should pretty equal since your AVR will accept an audio signal via HDMI and you won't need the analogs of the XA1 and in my opinion the A20 is a better looking player.

shahmichael@com

My display will except 1080i not 1080p but having either one of these players will allow me to upgrade at some point.I am so in awe of hd on cable I can only imagine the picture in dvd format.

MikeC78

If you don't mind slow boot and load times, then grab the XA1. The XA1 has the best build quality out of them all.

I have the XA1 and the same AVR as you, nice combo.

Sherardp

PM grimster, he has an XA1 for sale in the FM

shahmichael@com

Thanks for the lead,I sent pm about player.My question is how good is the sound compared to non hd player.I have a fairly good avr which I can use hdmi connects,I have read about all the new sound formats out and coming out,I wonder if my avr is good enough to really bring out the hd sound.My avr is a pioneer elite 74txv.

MikeC78

^^YES! I have that same combo. The XA1 does all the audio decoding, you'll receive the pristine lossless HD sound via LPCM with HDMI to your Pioneer 74.

You will NOT be dissapointed!

shahmichael@com

Thanks Mikec78 for your responce,I am looking foward to watching and hearing hd quality dvd,if its as good as hd cable it will be awsome:D

MikeC78

It's way better, enjoy.

Sherardp

My XA2 just came in today, it is an amazing player. Upgraded from my A1. Best money spent.

AndyGwis

Faster load time for the XA2? I love my XA1, but the load time is a little annoying. I'm pretty much okay with it because I know that extra minute of waiting is a minor sacrifice for hours of HD quality fun. . . but my GF hates waiting.

I do really like my XA1. Looks and sounds phenomenal. My HD-A2 is no slouch either and makes my lowly 32" Westinghouse LCD look great.

Welcome to next gen players, gentlemen.

engtaz

XA1 is very slow on boot up so if your not patient, don't get it. Some feel, it like watching paint dry.

sbpolk

I have an A1, and two days ago got a new XA1. I can't believe the build quality of the XA1. It is solid, heavy, and VERY attractive looking! Call me stupid, but attractive looking components are part of the fun!

I have separates, and no HDMI audio right now, so component outs are a MUST for me. On the second gen players, only the XA2 has em, and at the price, tha is a no go for me. Both of my displays are 720p, so 1080p at this point doesn't do much for me.

I love the XA1. I am sure there are solid benefits to the XA2, but for me this one works great. It boots up slow, but when I walk into my theater, I push that button first. Then turn on the projector. The projector needs some time to warm up too, so it isn't too big a deal for me!

shahmichael@com

I decieded on the A20,I cant wait for it to be delivered.:)

fireshoes

Link to the 5 free HD DVD offer, if ya need it:
http://thelookandsoundofperfect.com/_pdf/perfectoffer_advert.pdf

Sherardp

sbpolk wrote: »

I have an A1, and two days ago got a new XA1. I can't believe the build quality of the XA1. It is solid, heavy, and VERY attractive looking!

I love the XA1. I am sure there are solid benefits to the XA2, but for me this one works great.

Xa2 is a superb player, where it really shines in during upconversion of SD DVD, I popped Star Wars Episode 1 and demoed the Pod race scene and it was right on par with near HD DVD quality. I never seen the image look so clean. The quality and build of the XA2 is right up there with the first gen, just a tad slim but its heavy. If youre interested, the price of the XA2s went down and can be had @ Best Buy for 400-500 bucks. Definitely worth the extra coin, and even with 3rd gen players coming out, it will still be the flagship player of the new A35.

shahmichael@com

One thing that is good is that I picked up the A20 very cheap,so my next upgrade will be to either the next gen. or 2xa player.I know either way it will be a step up from upscaling player.

shahmichael@com

I finally recieved my hd-dvd player and what a difference,everything I heard and read is true,great picture,sound,wow!!!!

MikeC78

Enjoy!:)

shahmichael@com

Mike78c,do I need to do anything different with Avr settings so I can hear the new dolby formats as my Txv does not have those format capability's or will the dvd stream still play disc's in that format.I already used hdmi with Sony before so that wont change.

MikeC78

Just make sure the Toshiba is set to PCM and not bitstream. Your Pioneer AVR should read PCM on the screen when you are playing an HD DVD.

BTW, make sure you go into the sound settings on the disk itself and choose TruHD, or whatever sound format the disk offers.

shahmichael@com

MikeC78,I watched my first hd-dvd last night on my system(perfect storm),the picture was unbelievable,I did set to pcm,my screen on the pioneer lcd read Dolby digital ex.I did not know that you can go into disc menu.I will try to do this.Anyone out there who loves ht has to get hd-player,the difference is beyond words.One of the best upgrades yet.If anyone out there wants to buy a non hd-player I will sell my Sony DVPS-S75H upscale player.I have everything.I bought new in DEC.06.Pm me if interested.

BIZILL

HEY SHAHMICHAEL, don't forget the firmware updates!!!

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-images/notices/hddvd2firmware.asp