Author Topic: Toshiba stubbornly launches the un-Blu-ray, XD-E500 DVD player (Read 25439 times)

Mouldingo · « **on:** Aug 18, 2008 at 06:24 PM »

Forget HD DVD: Toshiba focuses on plain old DVD

NEW YORK - After losing out in the battle to define the high-definition successor of the DVD, Toshiba Corp. has turned its attention to the next best thing: the DVD.

On Monday, the Japanese electronics company is releasing a new DVD player that it says does more than previous models to improve the look of DVDs on high-definition TVs.

The XD-E500 will sell for a suggested price of $149.99, twice as much as regular "upconverting" players, which also improve the look of a DVD, but it is less than half the price of a Blu-ray player.

The Blu-ray disc, championed by Sony Corp., early this year beat out Toshiba's HD DVD to become the dominant format for high-definition discs. Toshiba has stopped making HD DVD players.

In a demonstration to reporters last week, Toshiba played the same disc in an XDE player and a standard, $70 upscaling model on side-by-side LCD HDTVs. The new player produced a subtle but noticeable sharpening of the image.

Toshiba didn't demonstrate the XDE against a Blu-ray or HD DVD player, and Louis Masses, director of product planning for the audio and video group at Toshiba America Consumer Products, was careful to stress that it's not meant to compete with or replace Blu-ray.

"If you want Blu-ray, go get Blu-ray. This product is meant to improve playback of DVDs," Masses said.

Masses said the XDE technology, for eXtended Detail Enhancement, will be used in other players, and the brand will be promoted extensively in advertising, including on NBC's Olympics site.

Blu-ray players have six times the image detail of a DVD, and upscaling players, even those using XDE technology, can't overcome that. But they can sharpen edges to overcome the blurriness of a DVD when displayed on a large screen.

Three years after their launch, Blu-ray players are popular with home-theater aficionados but have not caught on in the mainstream, except through Sony's PlayStation 3 game console, which can play Blu-ray discs.

In emphasizing DVDs, Toshiba is playing up to a difficulty for Blu-ray marketers: Most U.S. consumers are happy with DVDs, according to a recent study by ABI Research, and don't believe Blu-ray provides as big of a quality jump as DVDs did over VHS tapes.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080818/ap_on_hi_te/tec_toshiba_dvd

barrister · « **Reply #1 on:** Aug 18, 2008 at 07:46 PM »

Toshiba is looking very bad.

First, they announced SRT (Super Resolution Technology), a multiple-frame SR (Super-Resolution) technique that combines 9 frames to produce a 960p video.

It seems that Toshiba's SRT upscaling cannot be done in real time. That's because SRT takes way too much processing to produce, something like 15 hours of processing per hour of DVD video (?), using a SpursEngine.

Toshiba gave an SRT demo last June, with video upscaled beforehand (not real-time) using their Qosmio laptops with SpursEngine Quad Core HD Processors. Unfortunately, it does not look like anybody was impressed:

http://techdigest.tv/2008/06/toshiba_controv.html

This time, they announced their new XDE technology.

Now, if SRT failed to impress, I wonder how XDE can do any better.

techdude · « **Reply #2 on:** Aug 18, 2008 at 11:13 PM »

Oh well, at least it gives the Oppo some competition...

iiinas · « **Reply #3 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 07:00 AM »

wow, cheaper than an oppo 980.

hmmm......

juanch · « **Reply #4 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 09:31 AM »

If this performs just as well as the OPPO, then I might as well just get this instead

fizo · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 10:18 AM »

Can't wait for it to be available locally.

iiinas · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 10:28 AM »

here is the specs from toshiba usa site.

Video
Video Upconversion: 720p/1080i/1080p
XDE Upconversion Modes: Sharp, Color, Contrast
Playable Disc Types: DVD-Video/DVD-R/DVD-RW/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/CD-DA
HDMI™-CEC
ColorStream Pro® Progressive Scan Component Video Output
Digital Cinema Progressive (3:2 Pulldown)
Digital Picture Zoom
Fast Scan
Slow Motion
Multi-Camera Angle Select
Multi-Subtitle Select
JPEG Photo Viewer

Audio
Dolby® Digital and DTS® Compatible Output
WMA & MP3 Playback
3D Surround Sound

Convenience
Remote Control
Screen Saver
Tray Lock
HDMI™ LED Indicator (480p/720p/1080i/1080p/1080p-24 fps)
OSD Language: English/French/Spanish

Jackpacks
ColorStream Pro® Component Video Output
S-Video
RCA Video Outputs (1)
L-R Audio (1)
Coaxial Outputs (1)
HDMI™-CEC (1)

Weights and Dimensions
Weight: 3.5 lbs.
Dimensions: 16.93 x 1.97 x 7.80 (WxHxD)
Weight With Packaging: 5.5 lbs.
Dimensions With Packaging: 18.98 x 4.25 x 10.83 (WxHxD)

blackie · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 11:21 AM »

Anybody has one? Feedback please?

Thanks in adv ;Dance

ninjababez® · « **Reply #8 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 11:58 AM »

Quote from: blackie on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:21 AM

Anybody has one? Feedback please?

Thanks in adv ;Dance

problem is availability

iiinas · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 12:41 PM »

Quote from: blackie on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:21 AM

Anybody has one? Feedback please?

Thanks in adv ;Dance

it has just been launched stateside. don't have much news when this is going to be available in asia, only u.s. toshiba site carries it, singapore site does not have this product yet.

barrister · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 12:45 PM »

That's right.

The XD-E500 was announced only a few days ago. Units have not yet been shipped, but they are expected to be available in the U.S. this month.

Sobrang bilis lang talaga dito sa pinoydvd ...

ninjababez® · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 12:56 PM »

Quote from: barrister on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:45 PM

That's right.

The XD-E500 was announced only a few days ago. Units have not yet been shipped, but they are expected to be available in the U.S. this month.

Sobrang bilis lang talaga dito sa pinoydvd ...

because there are guys here like you and Mouldingo ..

Moks007 · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 03:18 PM »

Quote from: iiinaslao on Aug 19, 2008 at 07:00 AM

wow, cheaper than an oppo 980.

hmmm......

I was gonna wait for this player dapat or their so called superupconvert

, However, last week ordered na the oppo 980 bec I grew impatient

..Itch just won't go away

, na off timing tuloy

. If its way better than the 980 I will cry :'( hehe

iiinas · « **Reply #13 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 03:38 PM »

Quote from: Moks007 on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:18 PM

I was gonna wait for this player dapat or their so called superupconvert , However, last week ordered na the oppo 980 bec I grew impatient ..Itch just won't go away , na off timing tuloy . If its way better than the 980 I will cry :'( hehe

oo nga sir raymond, i actually knew about this player from you. anyway, oppo is not a bad deal any way you look at it.

reynold · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 03:55 PM »

Based on the specs above...

What's the difference between ColorStream Pro® Component Video Output and the regular Component Video Output? Anyone? Thanks

dmaximus · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 04:05 PM »

pag pwede region free ito pwede na to. swak sa budget ko. poormans oppo

iiinas · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 04:11 PM »

Quote from: reynold on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:55 PM

Based on the specs above...

What's the difference between ColorStream Pro® Component Video Output and the regular Component Video Output? Anyone? Thanks

as seen on their website.

"ColorStream Pro® Progressive Scan Component Video Outputs enhance color purity and image detail."

juanch · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 19, 2008 at 08:50 PM »

I'll be keeping a very close eye on this one

I'll hold off buying an OPPO for now while I wait for reviews and user feedback on this new Tosh player

Mouldingo · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 07:33 AM »

Eyes-on Toshiba's new XD-E500 upconverting DVD player

Yes, Toshiba seems resigned to some sort of HD disc-free existence, as it continues to mope about HD DVD's loss to Blu-ray and refrains from releasing a player for the once rival format, but let's set all aside for the moment. We got a look at Toshiba's new XD-E500 in action, and we must say: it does what it sets out to do. Most consumers will see a visible quality improvement when playing their DVDs, particularly in the realm of sharpness. Toshiba's new filters are "intelligent" enough to spice up the grass while leaving the sky and clouds free of noise, and while the contrast and color filters are less necessary, many consumers will enjoy their effect -- even if video purists would scoff at such alterations. As for usability, it couldn't really be much easier to flip on and off the three different enhancements, but there's also no customization of those modes to speak of. This $150 player isn't in any way Toshiba's Blu-ray killer, but thankfully the company actually seems to recognize that, and plans to market to Joe consumer who doesn't want to fork over the dough for a Blu-ray player or doesn't want to invest in a brand new video library, and won't be insulting videophiles' intelligence with claims to the contrary. If you're looking for something to magically make DVDs look like HD, this isn't it, but it bests Toshiba's best upconverter easily, and we'd venture to guess it's probably tops yours as well. All that said, Toshiba will have in store demos of the player at major retailers, and we'd highly recommend taking a gander for yourself before you take the plunge.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/08/19/eyes-on-toshibas-new-xd-e500-upconverting-dvd-player/

dmaximus · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 10:57 AM »

amazon is over pricing it at $180

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-XD-E500-Upconverting-Extended-Detail/dp/B001D9IWIY/ref=sr_na_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1219200349&sr=1-1

iiinas · « **Reply #20 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 11:06 AM »

Quote from: dmaximus on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:57 AM

amazon is over pricing it at $180

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-XD-E500-Upconverting-Extended-Detail/dp/B001D9IWIY/ref=sr_na_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1219200349&sr=1-1

wala pang stocks siguro, hopefully it will come down to the right level.

juanch · « **Reply #21 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM »

^ so does this at least match the performance level of the Oppo or Tosh's own HD-XA2?

JT · « **Reply #22 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 11:29 AM »

Mas ok pa cguro, if Toshiba launches upconverting DVD player with USB port and MKV playback capability.

They might be able to bounce back for their loss in HDDVD.

barrister · « **Reply #23 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 11:34 AM »

Quote from: juancho on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:50 PM

I'll be keeping a very close eye on this one

I'll hold off buying an OPPO for now while I wait for reviews and user feedback on this new Tosh player

Waiting would be the best option. And both players will surely be cheaper by the time you decide.

But my prediction is that the Oppo will still turn out to be better.

XDE technology seems to be adding filtering and edge enhancement. Both techniques might look impressive at first glance, but closer inspection will reveal that they actually worsen the image.

CNET was not impressed:

Toshiba XD-E500
CNET editors' take
By: Matthew Moskovciak
Published on: 08/18/2008

http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/toshiba-xd-e500/4505-6463_7-33224998.html?tag=prod.txt.1

What I can't figure out is how this player can output in 24p (24 frames per second), when SD DVD is already encoded in 30p for NTSC (60 frames interlaced) and 25p for PAL (50 frames interlaced).

Can it reverse the 3:2 pulldown on a commercial DVD, or does it only work on a 24p-encoded home movie from a DVD camcorder?

barrister · « **Reply #24 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 12:09 PM »

Quote from: Moks007 on Aug 19, 2008 at 03:18 PM

I was gonna wait for this player dapat or their so called superupconvert...

Super upconvert was the Toshiba technology I was referring to on my Reply #1 above. Toshiba calls it "SRT" (Super Resolution Technology), or sometimes "SUC" (Super Upconversion).

Malabo pa ang SRT/SUC. Hindi pa kaya ng computer processing sa ngayon ang real time 9-frame tech. Panis ang Quad-Core processor diyan ... sabi ng mga techies you need 150 cores to process SRT/SUC in real time!

Hindi pa kaya ng powers nila ilagay sa DVD player yon

.

dmaximus · « **Reply #25 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 02:14 PM »

Quote from: juancho on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:27 AM

^ so does this at least match the performance level of the Oppo or Tosh's own HD-XA2?

i have a tosh-d3 and im not satisfied with it upconverting capabilities. mas ok yung dv600. IMHO

iiinas · « **Reply #26 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 11:34 PM »

Quote from: dmaximus on Aug 20, 2008 at 02:14 PM

i have a tosh-d3 and im not satisfied with it upconverting capabilities. mas ok yung dv600. IMHO

the tosh-d3 is almost the same a the hd-a3 which is my player and yes you are right, dv 600 actually does better upscaling. but the x2 is the top of the line hddvd player of toshiba and uses a different chipset, seen this player in action during the upscaler shootout, came in second only to oppo 983, very good upscaler. so if this xde is capable of what the x2 can do, then its good to go.

ninjababez® · « **Reply #27 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 11:48 PM »

Quote from: iiinaslao on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:34 PM

the tosh-d3 is almost the same a the hd-a3 which is my player and yes you are right, dv 600 actually does better upscaling. but the x2 is the top of the line hddvd player of toshiba and uses a different chipset, seen this player in action during the upscaler shootout, came in second only to oppo 983, very good upscaler. so if this xde is capable of what the x2 can do, then its good to go.

pa-ot lang guys ha ..
i remembered during your upscaler shootout that the ps3 did good, ranked #3 ba?
anyway, i have an htpc around 15k worth, (without the branded psu) .. and it upscaled my dvd a bit better that ps3 ...
maybe we can include my htpc on your next shooutout

iiinas · « **Reply #28 on:** Aug 20, 2008 at 11:57 PM »

Quote from: ninjababez on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:48 PM

pa-ot lang guys ha ..
i remembered during your upscaler shootout that the ps3 did good, ranked #3 ba?
anyway, i have an htpc around 15k worth, (without the branded psu) .. and it upscaled my dvd a bit better that ps3 ...
maybe we can include my htpc on your next shooutout

hmmm... i think its 4th, the 980 was 3rd i think, will have to check the threads again to make sure. as for the htpc on a shootout, why not, problem is, i'm not the organizer of the last shootout, hamak lang na attendee. its sir mark's and sir paul's call, don't even know if there is going to be a 2nd one.

ninjababez® · « **Reply #29 on:** Aug 21, 2008 at 12:09 AM »

Quote from: iiinaslao on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:57 PM

hmmm... i think its 4th, the 980 was 3rd i think, will have to check the threads again to make sure. as for the htpc on a shootout, why not, problem is, i'm not the organizer of the last shootout, hamak lang na attendee. its sir mark's and sir paul's call, don't even know if there is going to be a 2nd one.

ill look for the thread and post it there .. im thinking kasi that this would benefit the already owners of htpcs .. or planning to setup an htpc .. malaki rin matititpid nila ..

*sorry sa hijack mga sir