Toshiba HD-A2 on store shelves now

After a relatively brief delay, the cheaper of Toshiba's two second-generation HD DVD players for the U.S. is now available. Shipping in limited quantities to some dealers already, a few AVSForum members were able to pick them up at Best Buy yesterday and today. Priced at $499, in exchange for a new slim design and faster loading times (around 30 seconds from power on to movie play according to initial reports), this revision loses the 5.1 analog audio outputs of the HD-A1. Still, if you've been waiting for that bug free (don't bet on it) second revision hardware with HDMI (1080p coming on the HD-XA2) output not available on the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, this is it.

[Thanks, Ken F.]

[Dixonij @ Dec 8th 2006 5:06PM]

So, let me get this right... Toshiba is cranking out their second-gen High-def video players while Sony and most of the Blu-Ray gang are just putting out their first gen? Yikes. The Blu-Ray boys need to get on it if they want their format to succeed.

[Lee @ Dec 8th 2006 5:15PM]

"Priced at $499, in exchange for a new slim design and faster loading times (around 30 seconds from power on to movie play according to initial reports), this revision loses the 5.1 analog audio outputs of the HD-A1. Still, if you've been waiting for that bug free (don't bet on it) second revision hardware with HDMI (1080p coming on the HD-XA2) output not available on the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on, this is it."

I'm not an English major, but that was terribly worded. I had to read it twice. Periods are our friends, people.

[Gary T @ Dec 8th 2006 5:18PM]

I've heard that there's no benefit at all to the 1080p output of the XA2 and yet it costs twice as much as this player.

Is that true and, if so, why?

[Castle @ Dec 8th 2006 5:31PM]

The format is pointless until HD-DVD group can get Disney and Fox behind their format. Being that studios that made 7 of the 10 top grossing this year don't support HD-DVD, versus all 10 supporting Blu-ray (only Universal is HD-DVD exlcusive).

1 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
2 Cars BV
3 X-Men: The Last Stand Fox
4 The Da Vinci Code Sony
5 Superman Returns WB
6 Ice Age: The Meltdown Fox
7 Over the Hedge P/DW
8 Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Sony
9 Click Sony
10 Mission: Impossible III Par.

[hmurchison @ Dec 8th 2006 6:12PM]

Gary T. The HD-XA2 has an improved video DAC, Analog outputs for multichannel audio and RS-232 Bi-directional control from controlling the player through automation systems like a Crestron.

Castle

I'll try to remember how much I'm missing while I'm enjoying my HD player. Thanks for reminding me. All those movies you mentioned are surefire Oscar winners.

[Gary T @ Dec 8th 2006 6:55PM]

hmurchison: Ah... So, if you use HDMI, there's no need for the better DAC, and if you use sp/dif, there's no need for the analogue out. Finally, if you don't use an automation system, there's no need for the RS-232?

Correct me if I'm wrong, otherwise, I'm just gonna get the A2. :)

[Ed @ Dec 8th 2006 7:16PM]

This is nice, I'll probably get this in Feb. I currently own the 360 HD DVD and it's awesome. HD DVD is the way to way people, let's stop the figting and unite.

Sing the HD DVD petition
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/HD_DVD_Studio_Support

[hmurchison @ Dec 8th 2006 7:46PM]

Gary T if you don't need those features like analog out or automation control the A2 is a great deal.

[Gary T @ Dec 8th 2006 7:53PM]

hmurchison: Awesome, thanks for the deets and clarification man. :) /me takes-out wallet, heads over to bestbuy.ca ...

[Paul Ford @ Dec 9th 2006 12:25AM]

Analog out or HDMI 1.3 is the only way to take advantage of the higher bitrate audio. Everything gets compressed down through the optical, so if you want the audio experience and you've got the system to show it then it'd be worth it to you to run the analog.

[Maxx @ Dec 9th 2006 1:51AM]

Paul :

You can take advantage of the higher bitrate audio over the HDMI on the HD-DVD players. The player decodes it and sends it as PCM to your HDMI reciever. HDMI 1.3 is only needed to send it still encoded as we will next year I am sure.

To sum up many are enjoying every bit of the quality of high res formats such as TrueHD and DD+ over current HDMI specs.

[Mischa Lockton @ Dec 9th 2006 3:57AM]

For that much money I want it to play the movie in 3.0 seconds. Is that too much to ask? I think my Xbox is faster than this thing- but it sure has a lack of options/features.

[doug @ Dec 9th 2006 7:17PM]

well, I have cast my vote - it is HD DVD for me.

I am no Sony-hater. my first CD player back in the day was a Sony, as is my current (albiet ancient) tuner, DVD player and I have a PSP gathering dust. But I gots me a new plasma and I am itching for some of that HD content. I can't see dropping a grand for a Blu-Ray, or buying a PS3 just to play disks (I'm not much of a console gamer or I would have bought a XB360 and HD DVD add-on).

I hope more studios go both formats - I would love to see 'Cars' in hi-def.