Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player

ViperZ

So I unpacked this brand new player day before yesterday, and just wanted to share my thoughts... Hooked it up to my Sony KE-42TS2U 1080i plasma.

A few things that I was looking for when I was buying this player:
- Analog outputs for sound (absolute must since I don't have receiver w/HDMI) for high definition sound from HD-DVDs.
- Better black levels in upscaled movies.
- Ability to watch 1080i movies on my 1080i plasma (notice, it's not #1 on the list).

Thoughts:

- Amazing build, very high quality. The front door is silent and looks cool.
- Loaded firmware 2.3 right after turned it on. Player and HD-DVD loading times decreased dramatically. I don't even notice them (come on, 20-25 seconds to turn on a player, 15 seconds for DVD and ~20 seconds for HD-DVD is nothing!).

Upscaled DVDs:
- Yes, slightly better black levels.
- Not sure if upscaling is better than Samsung DVD-HD941 (Faroudja chipset), although my friends claim otherwise. I only watched upscaled Matrix and King Kong so far.

HD-DVDs (happy feet, will watch hot fuzz tomorrow):
- HOLY ****! :eek:
- True DD sound through analogs... AMAZING!
- Picture quality... Outstanding!
- Black levels... Much better than in upscaled DVDs!

Overall conclusion: I am glad that I bought this player (and not A1, A2 or A20 that I considered too)!

AndyGwis

Love mine as well. Welcome to the club.

I don't mind waiting 30 seconds either because I know it will be bringing me hours of enjoyment for that 1/2 minute sacrifice. Once the menu comes up, I can already tell it's HD-DVD and I'm a happy camper. I also agree about the 5.1 outs. Makes it so easy to get HD sound through slightly older AVRs and keeps me from having/wanting to upgrade/update my processor.

I have the HD-A2 in my bedroom. Never tried it on my bigger living-room plasma for comparison to the HD-XA1, but it makes my lowly 32" Westinghouse look like a $5K Pioneer Elite. Love HD-DVDs!!!

Also, I love updating firmware using the ethernet plug. Honestly, plug it in, press two buttons, wait 30-45 minutes, and you've just upgraded your DVD player for free. Amazing stuff.

danger boy

what's the difference between all those Toshiba HD DVD Players? some of them are priced about the same.. is yours the newest one out there?

AndyGwis

Quick rundown (anything with a 2 is newer, anything 1 is older):

HD XA2 - best offering right now. 1080p, 5.1 analog outs, quicker load time, good build quality, great upconversion / processing. $800 retail, maybe $500 street

HD A20 - 1080p, lesser build quality, don't think 5.1 outputs. $500 retail, $300 street

HD A2 - 1080i, lesser build quality (very slim), no 5.1 output, good load time, $400 retail, $250 street

HD XA1 - 1080i, best off all in build quality, slow load time, 5.1 outputs, awesome looking unit. Great upconversion / DAC / processing, $800 retail last year, $350 street

HD-A1 - first model out. 5.1 outputs, slow load time, slightly out of date now, $500 retail 1.5 years ago, $200 street

ViperZ

There are 3 generations of players. Mine is top of the line 1st generation.

A1, XA1 and XA2 (and not sure which one in 3rd generation) have analog outputs, so if you don't have receiver and TV with HDMI, you can still enjoy full blown HD sound (like HD-DD).

First generation players (A1 and XA1) can only show 1080i resolution (and I don't care about 1080p, since my display is 1080i, and you cannot see the difference in TVs up to and including at least 42" in size).

Different players also use different scaler chipsets.

1st generation players have the best build quality (copper plated chassis, etc.).

The prices on 1st generation are so ridiculously low (especially in the States), I'd buy HD-DVD player just for upconversion and better black levels (why spend money on 1080p upconverting Oppo, if you can get a player with a bonus HD-DVD capability for the same price?).

ViperZ

AndyGwis wrote: »

HD A20 - 1080p, lesser build quality, don't think 5.1 outputs. $500 retail, $300 street

HD A2 - 1080i, lesser build quality (very slim), no 5.1 output, good load time, $400 retail, $250 street

HD XA1 - 1080i, best off all in build quality, slow load time, 5.1 outputs, awesome looking unit. Great upconversion / DAC / processing, $800 retail last year, $350 street

Yep, the only difference between A2 and A20 is 1080i vs. 1080p output.

How 'slow' is slow? I just checked with a friend who has XA2, and his loading times are within 5-10 seconds of my XA1 with newest 2.3 firmware.

Of course, if I had enough dough, I'd have gone to XA2 just because it's newer model, but heck, IMHO, XA1 is the best bang for the money.

shadowofnight

Very nice player...( XA2 version )first one I was able to pass 100% the HD HQV benchmark disc with...so I got it. Had some overheating issues when playing 1080P content...easily fixed with some 2 dollar PC video card heatsinks. Coolest thing was during disassembly I found out that it uses a PC HD drive inside...yup a standard 5 1/4 PC HD drive with an IDE interface and standard pc power connection. Pulled it out and threw it in one of my PC's and it worked perfectly. Nice unit

http://www.hometheatermag.com/images/archivesart/1006gear.1.jpg early

http://www.newlaunches.com/entry_images/1106/15/tos1_xf2_open-thumb.jpg xa2

Grimster74

XA1 is a nice player indeed, just sold mine to a forum member last week. The only issue I had with the unit was the slow boot time which wasn't really a big deal. As far as the XA2, this is the unit I replaced the XA1 with and couldn't be happier. With the Deep color and the upscaling of standard def discs via the Reon processor, never seen anything like it before, SD is near HD quality. As far as the boot times with the XA2, it's a little bit faster but not by much but once it's fired up, the picture is absolutely breathtaking.

BIZILL

XA-2 also does 1080p/24fps/60fps (A20 POSSIBLY THE SAME 24/60FPS)

3rd gen are dubbed the G3, G30 and G35.

FOR NOW XA-2 IS KING.

AndyGwis

3rd gen are dubbed the G3, G30 and G35.

Come on, Bizill. . . we're trying to have a mature conversation about HD-DVD players, and you start talking about Infinity sedans / coupes.

Geez. . .

In all seriousness, what do the G series do as opposed to the 2nd geners?

BIZILL

AndyGwis wrote: »

Come on, Bizill. . . we're trying to have a mature conversation about HD-DVD players, and you start talking about Infinity sedans / coupes.

Geez. . .

In all seriousness, what do the G series do as opposed to the 2nd geners?

help toshiba make profits. nothing new. well, nothing worth noting. just cheaper to produce. i think the second gens look better anyway.

AndyGwis

I think the XA1 is the best looking of the lot so far, although I haven't seen the XA2 in person.

I'm just happy HD-DVD has survived long enough to make it to a "3rd Generation." I've even bought a few HD-DVDs besides the rebate freebies, something I wasn't sure I wanted to do.

ViperZ

AndyGwis wrote: »

Also, I love updating firmware using the ethernet plug. Honestly, plug it in, press two buttons, wait 30-45 minutes, and you've just upgraded your DVD player for free. Amazing stuff.

Andy, if you want to save some time, it's much faster to download that firmware, then burn it to CD. Updating from CD takes less than 10 minutes.

AndyGwis

Yes, but that's not nearly as cool, is it?

bobman1235

Just bought an HD-A2 the other day. Haven't gotten my HD-DVDs yet (they're in the mail) but watched an upconverted standard DVD and was already impressed. Can't wait to try out an HD-DVD.

Using HDMI to the TV and optical connection to the receiver.

shahmichael@com

I just hooked up my hd player and even bought a hd-disc (The Perfect Storm),the sound is great and the picture is even better.I do have my player and hd cable box hooked up through hdmi connection.I did also send away for firmware update,it should be hear soon.My only concern is the lack of hd-dvd movies out.I have read that more are on the way,I sure hope so,any way I love the player!!!

AndyGwis

More are on the way. I wasn't able to find many good ones at my local rental places, and the prices/availability make it hard to buy them as well.

But, Netflix carries 300+ hd-dvds. I would consider getting a membership there just to take advantage of their HD-DVD library.

I think you can go to www.netflix.com and browse their HD-DVD selection.

shahmichael@com

I already have Block Buster account,they have a fair amount of titles also.I will not buy any more non-hd discs and just rent until more titles are available.I will check out netflix to see ir they have abetter selection.

AndyGwis

I was only planning on renting HD-DVDs since I wasn't sure of their long-term fate originally. Thought between rentals and the 10 rebate freebies, I'd be set.

But, I have recently drop $39.90 for three from amazon (Bourne Supremacy, Batman Begins, Blood Diamond), and got 300, and Good Shepherd (both used off Amazon for cheap).

I think prices and availability of HD-DVDs is getting to be much, much better. The players and player pricing seems very attractive as well as they continue to approach the $199 player mark. Fun times.

bobman1235

shahmichael@com wrote: »

I already have Block Buster account,they have a fair amount of titles also.I will not buy any more non-hd discs and just rent until more titles are available.I will check out netflix to see ir they have abetter selection.

I'm pretty sure Blockbuster only has Blu-Ray for now. They have HD-DVD titles listed on their website, but none are actually stocked, they're just there to "save for later."

fireshoes

bobman1235 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure Blockbuster only has Blu-Ray for now. They have HD-DVD titles listed on their website, but none are actually stocked, they're just there to "save for later."

They do HD DVD online and in at least 250 brick-n-mortar stores, plus franchised stores can also stock them.

fireshoes

BIZILL wrote: »

XA-2 also does 1080p/24fps/60fps (A20 POSSIBLY THE SAME 24/60FPS)

3rd gen are dubbed the G3, G30 and G35.

FOR NOW XA-2 IS KING.

Actually A3, A30, and A35.

And they are going to come with 300 and Bourne Identity packed in box.

bobman1235

fireshoes wrote: »

They do HD DVD online and in at least 250 brick-n-mortar stores, plus franchised stores can also stock them.

Well son of a **** you're right. My mistake.

ViperZ

bobman1235 wrote: »

Using HDMI to the TV and optical connection to the receiver.

You need to feed sound through either HDMI or analog outputs to get advantage of TRUE HD sound. I heard the difference (amazing!) just by switching between DD Plus and HD DD options on Happy Feet.

bobman1235

My receiver doesn't have HDMI, and the HD-A2 doesn't do analog out. So this is what I have for now.

shahmichael@com

Tonight was a real treat I watched the movie Gran Prix in hd with DD true hd sound and the sounds of the formula one cars was unbelievable.This may keep me permentaly out of theaters.I am becoming a HT nut:eek:

ViperZ

I am getting Planet Earth in HD... With Canadian dollar being 1:1 to USD it's so much cheaper to buy these discs (well, any disc) from Amazon.COM... and the discs are being shipped from Toronto suburb, which is like 1/2 hour away from me...

Can't wait!

Sherardp

Planet Earth is a very worthy purchase on HD DVD, 300, Matrix, the Bourne Series, all of those offer very good PQ. I went from the A1 to the XA2 just recently. Both players are built like tanks, XA2 loads tad bit faster but the upscaling of SD DVD is where it really shines. BB has the XA2 for around 439 after using the 12%off coupon. As others have said, now is the time to jump in, its a real treat within itself.

jwhitakr

Not to resurrect an old thread, but I would also echo the thoughts from ViperZ and AndyGwis on the build quality and positive points of the XA1. I just got mine about a week ago, and have been extremely impressed so far.

PQ is amazing through HDMI and the sound quality is top-notch (even though I'm still only getting regular ol' DTS through an optical connection).

Which brings me to my question about the 5.1 analog outs on the XA1. I'm planning to buy some new analog ICs to take advantage of the new sound formats, since my AVR does not have an HDMI input. I have a few old Audioquest Alpha-snake cables (I think I have 3 or 4), and so I need to get some new ones to complete the 5.1 connections.

Will it make any difference if I mix-and-match the cables? Should I make sure to get the same Audioquest cables to insure the best sound?

BIZILL

jwhitakr wrote: »

Will it make any difference if I mix-and-match the cables? Should I make sure to get the same Audioquest cables to insure the best sound?

negligable. but i'm sure others will disagree, especially around here. unless you have a higher-end setup, don't bother. if cost is no factor, then obviously match everything.

ViperZ

Agree regarding interconnects. If you will be using good quality interconnects, you may mix-n-match (of course, tons of people "hear" the difference).

Regarding my HD-DVD collection. Just ordered Phantom of the Opera and Syriana.