Author Topic: Toshiba HD-DVD player, available na ba locally? (Read 69618 times)

nels76 · « **Reply #30 on:** Sep 01, 2006 at 12:17 PM »

Quote from: av_phile1 on Aug 31, 2006 at 10:02 PM

Current flagship receivers with HDMI still won't hack it. that's because their HDMI is just 1.1, and you need version 1.3 to carry Doby trueHD and DTS-HD. Wait next year to see the first batch of receivers sportng HDMI 1.3. And they'll most likely still be flagships.

Technology upgrade is sometimes really unfair.

Buy them all and then dispose them all once new technology arrives.

av_phile1 · « **Reply #31 on:** Sep 01, 2006 at 08:02 PM »

Manufacturers can only make those HT gears based on latest circuit designs given by industry consortia or tech leaders at the time of production. HDMI was touted as the next standard carrier of HD data. TRUE. But I think that was 2-3 years ago. The only problem was the specs for the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray were still not finalized at that tiime. Soon enough they realized they needed to upgrade the HDMI specs. So while it is true HDMI ushers you into the world of High Definition, you will need the latest HDMI version 1.3 to maximize the HD experience. My heart should bleed for those early adopters of HDMI mistakenly thinking they were future-proofing their investment. Not entirely. (I am now closer to believing there's really no such thing as future proofing in audio and video formats from hereon. ) While the current HDMI 1.1 can deliver the 24-bit HD video and even allow for multichannel LPCM sound, they won't accomodate higher 32-bit color depths promised in the next iteration which i am sure the 3rd or 4th gen HD players will offer within the next 2 years. And certainly not DolbyTrueHD and DTS-HD.

du1mij · « **Reply #32 on:** Sep 02, 2006 at 09:33 PM »

I just visited Paradigm shop in Shangri-la (formerly B&W Specialist) and apparently, they sold a Toshiba HD-A1 for PhP40k. Listening in Style likewise sold some units for PhP38k according to them.

'Was able to see the Samsung BD-P1000 in action and the detail was just much better than SD. 'Were able to run the HQV disk on it. 'Will try to publish the results (if anyone is interested in how it performs on upconverting SD to HD) at the soonest time possible.

av_phile1 · « **Reply #33 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 01:12 PM »

The Tosh HD-A1 is said to be a PC in its hardware design and for the price, you get really robust hardware. And there are already people who consider this launch player worthy as a collectible investment. At $490, it delivers 6x resolution than the finest upsampling DVD players from Theta, Denon or Rotel costing more. In fact, one poster in an AV forum commented it no onger makes sense to buy upsampling DVD players when you consider most of the titles will already be availalbe in HD-DVD by end of 2007. All I can say, maybe by then, those expensive upsampling players will fall below $200, good enough for bargain hunters still holding on to their DVD collections.

When you already have an appropriate HDTV flat screen costing above 120T, 38T really shouldn't be a problem. And the HD titles at Amazon are not overly expensive compared to new DVD releases. So if I own an HDTV, I'd grab a Tosh A1 the first chance I get.

Munskie · « **Reply #34 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 01:30 PM »

if i could go back in time.....Di ko na sana nabili tong 2910. Oh well, back in December, news about HD players are so Blu-Ry.....

tama sir AV...HD DVD titles mostly are in $19.95 range...not bad...just in the price range of 2disc-SE DVDs...hmmmm 38K? iba iba quote ah...

av_phile1 · « **Reply #35 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 01:52 PM »

And that's why I've stopped buying newly released DVDs over the last 9 months.

Hintay na lang ng SALE. Unfortunately my savings are not sufficieint to get the Tosh A1, much less a 42' Bravia.

av_phile1 · « **Reply #36 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 02:41 PM »

To those planning to buy or import the Tosh A1, I suggest you wait for the Tosh XE1 - the European version coming out this fall. From two AV forums, I read it will use the Intel Dual Core chip instead of the current Pentium IV 2.5Ghz chip and will sport a better faster drive for faster disc access. I read it will also have 1080p output via HDMI 1.3. And will look slimmer. Not a second generation HD-DVD player, but is said to improve much on the player launched in the US.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/showthread.php?t=241295

Munskie · « **Reply #37 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 02:59 PM »

yikes...the cheaper model, HD-E1 doesnt have 5.1 analog outputs.... $:-\$

Munskie · « **Reply #38 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 03:05 PM »

great link sir AV, from what i read its likely the US versions will carry the names of HD-A2 and HD-XA2 instead of HD-E1 and HD-XE1 (parang 2nd gen na rin.....and they're hurrying yata to release them before PS3 do....)

from that hometheaterforum.com thread:

im pretty excited so post ko na rin nabasa ko dun dito...thanks sir AV!!!

Originally Posted by Ken_F
Frank,

We'll know more at CEDIA in two weeks.

If I were a betting man, I would plan on seeing the E1 model in late October or early November at $399-$499. I know Toshiba wants its out before the PS3. I'm sure Toshiba would like to get the XE1 out before December, but I would be surprised if that happens, considering how tight the supply is on HDMI 1.3 parts.

The HD-E1 and HD-XE1 are not really second-generation players, however, they will feature a number of improvements over the A1 product. Forthcoming improvements you won't see on the spec sheet:

* Instead of an Intel P4M 2.5GHz, they'll use a faster and cooler-running Intel Core Duo -- the same dual-core chip found in current Mac notebooks. This improves responsiveness and enables the lower profile design.

* They'll have a new HD-DVD ROM drive with faster access times -- DVDs and HD-DVDs will load faster as a result.

* Other logic board changes to speed loading of the software.

Basically, these will be faster + slimmer versions of the current Toshiba A1 HD-DVD design. The software should be the same. As far as video and sound quality, I wouldn't expect any difference between the A1 and the E1. The E1 will feature a newer HDMI 1.2a part, which should improve display compatibility.

Do note, however, the the HD-E1 lacks 5.1 analog outputs, and thus you would need a receiver with HDMI 1.1 or later to experience Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD, and True-HD 5.1 from that product. Only the [current] A1 and the XE1 have 5.1 analog outputs.

The XE1 features a 12-bit/297MHz video DAC for those who rely on component output, HDMI 1.3 with "deep color" support, 5.1 analog outputs, optical and coaxial digital outputs, and a high-performance "I/P Converter & Scaler" to upconvert DVD to 1080p and deinterlace HD-DVD to 1080p for output over HDMI. Toshiba says the scaler/deinterlacer in the XE1 should match or exceed the performance of third-party 1080p solutions costing thousands of dollars. Price unknown but I would guess US$799 MSRP.

av_phile1 · « **Reply #39 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 03:12 PM »

That last paragraph about de-interlacing an HD-DVD seems odd to me. The disc is already encoded at 1080p so there should be no need to de-interlace anything.

Munskie · « **Reply #40 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 03:18 PM »

there goes my farfetched plan to acquire the hd-a1.....hahahaha

a faster slimmer Toshy HD DVD player...!!! Impressive!!

hmmmm...they made them go on a diet

SEXiYeah!!!

av_phile1 · « **Reply #41 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 07:09 PM »

Most of the european posters in www.avforums.com that have bought the Tosh A1 declared no regrets importing the model even after realizing the european version would be more sophisticated. They are unanimous that the value of the Tosh as offered in an online AV sh0p was just too good. With free 7 HD titles.

Moks007 · « **Reply #42 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 07:26 PM »

hmm..the players sold here just play region 1 standard disc right or do they play also region 3?

Munskie · « **Reply #43 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 07:48 PM »

hmmm, I believe they are region 1 by default when playing standard DVDs $:-\$ so you'll be stuck ordering from amazon

av_phile1 · « **Reply #44 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 08:14 PM »

R1 for DVDs. HD-DVDs are regionless at the moment, or so I heard. The Tosh A1 is said to be just so-so as a DVD player. But one doesn't buy this to play std DVD. And I am sure, like most Tosh A1 owners in the forums I've visited, once they've sampled one HD-DVD title on this machine, they lose interest watching standard DVD even if upscaled.

aldrinpsx · « **Reply #45 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 09:40 PM »

Will it work on a standard HDMI TV/monitor??

peace and blessing!!!

av_phile1 · « **Reply #46 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 10:04 PM »

Yes. That's what HDMI was intended to do in the first place - carry high resolution video and audio data. But is limited. You will need HDMI version 1.3 to transmit DolbyTrueHD and DTS-HD audio tracks. But for video, no problem.

aldrinpsx · « **Reply #47 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 10:11 PM »

Your reply means that i need to get a new A/V receiver.... in that case,still need to think twice..saving for my childrens educational fund.,house mortgage,car payment,utility bills,SOFTWARE...and the list never stops

.thanks for the heads up sir.

peace and blessing!!!

av_phile1 · « **Reply #48 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 10:43 PM »

You would need a new receiver. Problem is, there are no receivers at the moment with HDMI 1.3. Neither are there HDTVs with HDMI 1.3. Though they are slowly emerging.

But you don't need them to enjoy true high definition. Your current HDMI equipped display and receiver can already accept the 1080i output from a Tosh HD A1. The discs to start with are encoded at 1080p, The audio tracks are a glorious 5.1 LPCM transcoded in the player from DolbyTrue HD tracks and sent via HDMI which your receiver can handle. For $490, cheaper than many upsampling DVD players, you get 6x the resolution. Accg to many posters in other forums who are early adopters to HD, current DD and DTS and 480p upsampled to 1080i have suddenly become garbage compared to what the Tosh A1 can deliver today at those prices.

aldrinpsx · « **Reply #49 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 10:59 PM »

Now im having thought of getting it back again....think twice and fast!! arrrrrrrrrghhhhh!!

Toshiba HD A1 HD DVD player

Monitor is Sony Wega 42' LCD TV 720p/1080i resolution.

peace and blessing!!!

Munskie · « **Reply #50 on:** Sep 04, 2006 at 11:05 PM »

If you could wait a few months more, get the euro versions that are coming there too...much better versions...

av_phile1 · « **Reply #51 on:** Sep 05, 2006 at 09:01 AM »

WHile I was very enthusiastic about the european version earlier, I read that its price tag is substantially higher than the US version but you get the same audio/video quality and features (I had thought the difference would be minimal.) The advantage is the faster uptake of the disc and 1080p over HDMI 1.3, which really won't benefit the consumers much unless they upgrade their expensive HDTVs to the newer more expensive models that can accept 1080p input over HDMI 1.3. The US version is clearly a value proposition for HD over the next 2 years at least.

striderhiryu1 · « **Reply #52 on:** Sep 09, 2006 at 10:05 PM »

No stock locally while I was in Pinas. Mahal pa. I ordered na lang from Amazon since my wife will be in the US this week. Total cost is US$404.84 (free shipping). Also ordered Serenity, Phantom and Million Dollar Baby

. Can't wait for Sept. 18.

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000E1PTGK/ref=s9_asin_title_1/103-8427550-3296643

Munskie · « **Reply #53 on:** Sep 09, 2006 at 10:15 PM »

WOW!! thats 20k pesos....I think bababa pa yan, lalo na kung malapit na lumabas yung mga european models. Sana bumaba na rin dito, if ever lalapit na sa 20k, it will be an interesting proposition, specially Xmas lurking around..congrats sir

av_phile1 · « **Reply #54 on:** Sep 10, 2006 at 03:17 PM »

No need to upgrade. AVRs. That is also why receiver companies didn't have to rush any model to support the new audio formats to match the launch HD players. The current 5.1 analog ins and HDMI equipped recievers are sufficient. But I am sure over time, there'd be receivers with the new HDMI 1.3 as well as internal decoders for the new formats, if and when the studios allow outputting the native audio codecs.

baby · « **Reply #55 on:** Sep 10, 2006 at 08:15 PM »

Quote from: striderhiryu1 on Sep 09, 2006 at 10:05 PM

No stock locally while I was in Pinas. Mahal pa. I ordered na lang from Amazon since my wife will be in the US this week. Total cost is US$404.84 (free shipping). Also ordered Serenity, Phantom and Million Dollar Baby . Can't wait for Sept. 18.

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000E1PTGK/ref=s9_asin_title_1/103-8427550-3296643

How much kaya yung tax sa airport?

Munskie · « **Reply #56 on:** Sep 10, 2006 at 10:33 PM »

hmmmm, the HD-A1 has a pretty large box, if your gonna let it ship from the US and send it via JAC which ive read charges by volume weight, its gonna be pretty expensive..

et414 · « **Reply #57 on:** Sep 10, 2006 at 10:39 PM »

mukang kasya naman sa balikbayan box

cardo · « **Reply #58 on:** Sep 14, 2006 at 01:00 PM »

Hi Guys!!!

makikisingit na lang ako on the HDMI thing.

I got a philips DVP 5900, which has HDMI. I got it for 1kRMB(6kPHP) and the LCD 8Krmb(around 48k). Did I get a good deal? I did not knew anything on HDMI and I'm only learning now

I got it because I thought it would be a good combination with an LCD philips TV i got also. its 32 inches and it was 8k(48k php) at may "HD" logo yun TV kaya kako, bagay yun "HD" DVD player

pardon me for my ignorance...thing is, when I play those DVD's I got from the US(after hacking it to be multi region) it tells me that the device is non-HD or something. I reckon kelangan ko ng HD-DVD

It does not show any picture(instead blue screen) only. Pero when I use the Yellow(video), red and white(audio) ok naman.

When I play bootleg dvds, it works well with HDMI. does this mean it just "upscales" the video quality?

Also, how much ang DVD players with HDMI sa atin sa pinas(aside from what I read on the toshiba 35k?)? how much ang after market HDMI cable sa atin? I got a philips HDMI cable for 300krmb(1800php). Funny, it did not come with the player, it was offered as a separate sale. medyo namamahalan ako for a stock cable, but I got it anyway.

thanks

ProtegeManiac · « **Reply #59 on:** Sep 14, 2006 at 01:28 PM »

Quote from: cardo on Sep 14, 2006 at 01:00 PM

pardon me for my ignorance...thing is, when I play those DVD's I got from the US(after hacking it to be multi region) it tells me that the device is non-HD or something. I reckon kelangan ko ng HD-DVD It does not show any picture(instead blue screen) only. Pero when I use the Yellow(video), red and white(audio) ok naman.

In order to have HD (or near-HD) quality on your display you need an HD DVD player or one that has upscaling, through the HDMI input. I'm not sure if I got your entire post right, but the reason why it's only a blue screen on HD is because its not getting any data through the HD input. If you don't have an HD-DVD player, check if your Philips has upscaling through HDMI output, and that will improve the quality by a considerable margin over the yellow video cable, but don't expect it to be HD quality though. I personally haven't tried HD at home (no funds

) but from my own experience even the component video has great results over the standard video input.