Geeks.com sent us in a next generation DVD player, the Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player. The model is the little brother of the HD-XA2 with fewer features, but it's the only HD player that sells at $230 while using the newer, second generation HD-DVD technology.
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Member since:2005-06-28
Sorry, but I do not agree. There are a lot of people who already have 1080i TVs (in fact, that's the VAST majority of them) and they would like an HD playback device. If you want the extra abilities like the super-sound that most people won't even make up the difference neither they have the right audio equipment (so really, do you need that?) and 1080p, you can purchase the HD-XA2 instead, but that would be $400, not $230.
For example, in our home we are very technically inclined, and yet, we don't have plans to upgrade our 1080i TV. It serves us well. The cheapest 1080p TV above 50" costs $2600 you see. Not everyone can afford that, most people buy 32" 1080i TVs for $600.
So in my opinion, there is certainly market space for this cheaper model.
Edited 2007-06-22 10:46
Member since:2005-11-14
What double standard nonsense!
You say things like people won't notice the difference in the sound and don't have the equipment, but they will have the right display and will make a difference from 720p?
All this while you don't even have the right display to begin with, so really, do you need that (HD-DVD, BluRay)?
And you say you are technically inclined in your home, which doesn't mean you know enough about HT devices.
If you were so technically inclined towards HD displays, you'd know that the RPTV SXRD are among the best displays (for SD AND HD) and cost less than $2600 for 55". Of course, they are not as slim as LCD or Plasma (yet they are lighter).
Besides, buying 32" 1080 TV is pure nonsense, only people not technically inclined, waved by marketing speech would do that. Because 32" just isn't enough to render the 1080 definition. I'm even pretty sure no 32" display are full HD, they must be 720p display. I'm talking displays for the living room of course, not the ones for PC, which are 16/10 and not 16/9, where you need to have your eyes inches from the screen, seeing in full scale all the defects of LCD displays (screendoor, banding, ...).
Member since:2006-11-02
"So in my opinion, there is certainly market space for this cheaper model. "
There never is a market for hardware for dead formats like HD-DVD.
HD-DVD/Toshiba marketing money just isn't worth damaging the integrity of this site in a futile effort to try to save a dead format like HD-DVD.
Score: 
Member since:2005-07-06
What personal reasons could you have for wanting HD-DVD to win? Hatred of Sony? HD DVD has a lower capacity per disk, which will suck for consumers once recordable discs become standard, and it has far fewer studios putting out movies in the format. On top of that, it requires Microsoft software on every box. I'm no great Sony fan, but Bluray seems like the better format from a technical and a practical perspective (more studios backing it). With Blockbuster video-rental stores signing onto Bluray exclusively now, it seems like the writing is on the wall. So why does this war need to be protracted indefinitely? It sucks for consumers.
Member since:2006-01-19
If you don't know which format to support - buy both - anyone seriously considering moving to HD should be able to afford both 
I have this player (which is the E2 in europe rather than A2) and a PS3. Both look fantastic on my 52" 1080i Panasonic plasma. I cannot detect ANY shearing artifacts or other anomalies to remind me this is interlaced rather than progressive. If you have a good de-interlacer (the Panasonic does) then don't sweat about 1080p. Also don't bother with HD at all unless your screen is 40" or more or you use a projector. Quality perception depends upon screen size and viewing distance from the screen and the size/quality curves of SDvsHD don't separate for most people until 40" at reasonable viewing distances. This is for PAL at any rate which is 576 lines - can't comment on 480 line NTSC.
I usually buy the HDDVD disks (except those from Sony which I have to buy in Blu-Ray) because I don't want to unduly stress the PS3's drive - I want this to last longer than the life expectancy of the HDDVD drive which I'll more than likely replace with a player that will play either disk format in a couple of years. The HDDVD/BluRay competition seems likely to end in an equivalent of the DVD+R-R debacle as I see it.
Edited 2007-06-23 08:41
Member since:2006-05-19
"What personal reasons could you have for wanting HD-DVD to win? Hatred of Sony?"
I do not have a hatred of Sony, I just choose to not support them. I have had enough with Betamax, minidisc, rootkits, memory stick, and now blu-ray. There are too many "standards" which hurts everyone. While I would agree that Blu-ray may be technically superior, it is much more expensive to produce Blu-ray discs. It does not cost much to update a DVD plant to make HD-DVD discs. Blu-ray requires complete re-fit. Sony makes quality gear, but they keep trying to lock everyone into one of their formats. It does not matter if you like them or not, we all pay for their attempts to lock in the consumers. Yes, other companies do the same thing, but Sony is more aggressive than most. If you ever were infected by their CD rootkit you would understand.
Member since:
2006-05-19
While I am glad to see HD-DVD capable components come down to a reasonable price, I doubt this unit will do much to stop the tide of Blu-ray. The author claimed to not be concerned with the lack of 1080p resolution, but to me, that alone would removed it from my list of candidates. Add to that the problems of a 24 second boot time and limited audio connection choices and I just can't see this unit selling very well. How big is the market for a "budget" HD-DVD player? If you are going to spend the big bucks for that nice big HDTV are you going to save a couple of hundred dollars on the unit that is going to feed it content? It is a shame really. I would prefer to see HD-DVD win over Blu-Ray (for personal reasons). With the announced deal between Blu-Ray and Blockbuster, the HD-DVD camp really needs to come out with something special to counter that deal. I am afraid this unit just isn't it.