Toshiba begins shipping HD-A20 HD DVD player

As promised, Toshiba is shipping the HD-A20 to retailers with a MSRP of $499, but can probably be found online for even less. The HD-A20 fits right in the middle of Toshiba's trio of HD DVD players, which make up all of the stand alone HD DVD players available. The extra benjamin over the HD-A2 gets you HDMI 1.3 and 1080p output, but it lacks a few video enhancements like deep color support and additional connections like RS-232 when compared with its bigger brother, the HD-XA2. If this is any indication of what we can expect from second generation HD DVD players, Toshiba is on its way to producing some of the best next-gen physical media movie players anywhere -- at least until Blu-ray finally gets BD-J live done in October.

[James @ Apr 11th 2007 8:36PM]

Too bad only a handful of titles even use the HDi on HD DVD in the first place. Interactivity is a joke on either format (although less so on HD DVD). The great irony is that it's all so superflous most people don't even care either way.

[hmurchison @ Apr 11th 2007 8:44PM]

HDi is used on EVERY HD DVD title. It is the IME, PiP or "extra special sauce" stuff that is only on some titles.

Blu-ray has a seperate software mechanism for basic menus called BDMV whereas BD-Java is used for the more heavy lifting stuff and BD-Live for the network connectivity.

HDi handles ALL of these features on HD DVD which is pretty damn cool.

[Ed @ Apr 11th 2007 8:44PM]

Amazon is selling the HD A2 for $309 and Free shipping!!

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-HD-A2-HD-DVD-Player/dp/B000IJV4BC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5134492-2120751?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176338605&sr=8-1

[blamecanada @ Apr 11th 2007 9:04PM]

Now that 20 gig PS3 is no longer around to be a cheap blu ray player too.

[LongshotX @ Apr 11th 2007 9:48PM]

But where are all the titles...its like a console without games...it just can't win without studio support. As much as I like HD-DVD even I see that.

[Mr. B @ Apr 11th 2007 10:57PM]

$300... there's a price point I can live with.

[0ndsk4 @ Apr 12th 2007 7:12AM]

I wouldn't want a HD-DVD player even if they gave it to me. Without studio support, it's useless.

I'll wait until Blu-Ray players get sub $300... :)

[clintwichert @ Apr 12th 2007 7:39AM]

I saw one @ Sxm's Clxb that was an RCA for 309. Is it just a rebadged Toshiba?

[pete @ Apr 12th 2007 9:53AM]

LongshotX - Where are the titles? There are over 171 titles on HD-DVD as of April 9, '07. (201 on Blu-Ray).

clintwichert - The RCA is a rebranded Tosh HD-A1 - not so great for $309 when you can get the HD-A2 on Amazon for $315.
(http://www.htguys.com/shop.php?id=B000IJV4BC)

[GBaz @ Apr 12th 2007 4:37PM]

For $309 I would care if the HD DVD player lost the war in 2 years. Netflix has rentals, i just wont buy movies. Ill jut throw it out in 2 years.

[jimmy @ Apr 15th 2007 1:11AM]

This is gay you can only get this player on amazon, for 499.99 the only HD DVD player that can play real 1080p. The other A2 model, only plays 720p/1080i. I went into bestbuy and found out that if you have a 1080p t.v. you can only buy a BLU RAY player. There is no other HD DVD player with 1080p in the store! Which tells us consumers that HD DVD will be obsolete, everything they have on display is BLU RAY. I was so annoyed walking in there to find out that HD DVD seems like a cheap way to go, like as if the toshiba was something you get at wallmart.

[jimmy @ Apr 15th 2007 1:15AM]

By the way, Amazon may seem like a good deal with the Toshiba for $300, but the 5 free HD DVD's they limit you are really crappy! Bestbuy offers 4 free HD DVD's at $399, but you can pick any four HD DVD's in the store. Like Departed, Superman, King Kong, or something. Which equals out more than $100 in difference.