Toshiba HD-A2 - HD-DVD High-definition DVD Player , $369 shipped

[hardcandy2]

Beach Camera- HD-A2

Beach Camera Reseller Rating- 8.1

Add to your cart and it becomes $369 shipped. Not a bad price. I have had mine for 4 weeks now and really enjoy it. I also have a PS3, so the format war is not troubling to myself. Beach camera actually shipped it from NJ to Georgia in 3 days with the free shipping.

It does a nice job on upconverting regular DVD's. It has an internet connection built in so you can update the firmware and from what I understand there will be extra content available on newer HD-DVD's.

It outputs 1080i via HDMI, the higher priced HD-AX2 has 1080P output.

"High definition playback delivers 720p/1080i resolution at a transfer rate higher than DVD or even HDTV, resulting in a more detailed, realistic picture. Advanced audio, including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS HD (core only), along with legacy formats including Dolby Digital and DTS bring an increased sonic realism to movie soundtracks. Backwards compatibility means you can enjoy your existing library of DVDs and CDs, and through the process of upconversion using HDMI, your movies are scaled to match the resolution of your HD display. An interface suite includes an abundance of audio/video connections as well as an ethernet connection for firmware updates and future internet delivered features."

"Enjoy backwards compatibility and play your collection of standard DVDs on the player. In addition, via the HDMI interface, the HD-A2 scales the standard definition DVD output to a resolution of 720p or 1080i. Not only does this output the video in HD standard resolution, but because the conversion takes place in the player, the signal remains free from excessive digital-to-analog conversion artifacts."

AVS thread

CNET editor's take

 

[videopho]

Is "-A2" second gen of this type of player?
If it is it sounds like a great deal as compared to its counter Blue-Ray machines.
I'm however, using the xbox 360 hd-dvd version and quite happy about it. (If you already own the 360, of course)

 

[ScottFern]

What are the main advantages over the A1. I have an A1 and it seems very respectable still. I paid $383 for my A1 back in July.

 

[jasonja]

The A2 is smaller and loads HD-DVD much faster. It's got more dedicated hardware and is not just a PC inside like the A1

 

[crystal]

Ah, toshiba currently have a rebate for 3 movies if you buy one of its hd-dvd player. So... hard to resist.... somebody stop me... Currently I got OPPO 971, will this be much better?

 

[hardcandy2]

Originally posted by: crystal
Ah, toshiba currently have a rebate for 3 movies if you buy one of its hd-dvd player. So... hard to resist.... somebody stop me... Currently I got OPPO 971, will this be much better?

A whole new format to buy!! Consumerism at its finest.
I am not sure if the dvd upscaling will be that much better, but the HD-DVD video will be much better. And a nice HDMI and internet connection to boot. I thought about the two, the Oppo and Toshiba and went with this for around $250 more. ( I was low on my daily spending quota for that day anyway )