I've decided to keep my G70 so I plan to add either Moome's new card w/ gamma or John's DVI card. I'm looking at the currnt HD-DVD players but I don't know if I should go with the XA1 or the A2 (since they are now about the same price). I know the XA1 is the first generation but from what I've read it seems to produce a better picture than the A2. I've also read about issues including black crush with the newer firmware. Since I'm running a G70 I don't really need 1080p so I don't see a reason to pay the extra $ for the XA2.

What player are most people here using? What issues can I expect to have?

Check the hd dvd forum area..........

As I understand the scaler in the XA2 is amazing........

Yes more expensive but then better.......

I use the XA1 as it is very well built

Ive jusr realisd you meant XA1 or the A2 ???

XA1 for me from those two.

BUT XA2 if you have many DVDs and dont have a scaler already, if you have a scaler then XA1 .

Did I make any sense ???

Xa2 is king for sure, the best PQ so far, speaking of any output, I use 1080i into my DVDO VP50, it's faster, PQ is better and Toshiba is going to fix the CUE bug soon ;)

-Gary

What about if he wants the analog outputs for Dolby True HD decoding ?? Do all those recommended players have that ?

there is no analog outputs on the XA1 or XA2.

there is no analog outputs on the XA1 or XA2.
IS that a question or statement ?

They both do .

Bruce

IS that a question or statement ?

They both do .

Bruce

That all depends on what your definition of IS is.

http://www.myavc.com/lossy.jpg

Well even if you did currently get the XA2 you might not be able to feed the projector 1080p anyway. A fellow AVS member using moome's NEC HDMI card (with gamma, I think) could not get moome's hdmi card to accept 1080p direct from the Toshiba XA2. I emailed moome asking about the possibility of a similarar problem with his Sony hdmi card and he said it was a handshaking EDID issue and that he will update it later. That was bank on Feb 11.

I do not own the Toshiba XA2 but was thinking of buying it for its 1080p output into my G90 via moome hdmi card that I own but because of the possible EDID handshaking problem I have not purchased the Toshiba XA2.

Now if the local Best Buy or Future shop started carrying the XA2 then I would buy it to try it and return it if it did not work but these local retailers are still not carrying the Toshiba.

Furthermore there is supposed to be a 1.3 version upgarde to the Toshiba XA2 comming out in a couple of weeks - may fix this possible issue?

Wondering if any one has the Toshiba XA2 properly working with a direct connection at 1080p into their moome card?

Can anyone tell me if there would be any advantage for me to purchase the XA2 instead of the regular A2?

I run my signal to my Lumagen HDP and then through a BNC cable to my projector. It would seem to be a waste of money since I don't use the DVI output.

Any opinions?

Toney

IS that a question or statement ?

They both do .

Bruce


5.1

You may prefer the XA2 for the audio side.

I don't have a HDMI connection on my Denon amp but I do have optical so would it not make more sense to get the A2?

I know the XA1 is the first generation but from what I've read it seems to produce a better picture than the A2.Any links to this? I'm curious myself as I'm sort of in the same boat.

(I bought an A2 a couple of days ago and don't like what I see as compared to the HD-A1 I have on loan. I posted about it here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=811657)).

Kal

Mainly just reviews and it was more on the standard DVD upconversion.

Thanks GScott!

Kal

5.1

YES

What about XA2 versus the A2 for just 1080i (i have an XG)? Is the XA2 still much better for upscaling DVDs and for regular HD-DVD playback? Right now Amazon has the A2 for 242$ PLUS FIVE free HD-DVDs (after rebate) and it's pretty tempting considering I won't have a HTPC powerful enough to play HD-DVD/blu ray for few years :D.

Now off to do some research...

Hmm, I would have a similar question.

A2 vs XA1 for 1080i and regular DVD upconverting? Don't care about the super cool audio.

Right now on amazon you can get the A2 with the matrix trilogy hd dvd collection and 7 other hd movies for about $300. Or you can just get the A2 with 5 free hd dvds for $240 I believe.

It was $262 shipped yesterday. Today it doesn't have free-shipping and it won't give me a shipping quote unless I give it my credit card. :(
I've got two months till I absolutely need an HD-DVD player. I might wait until I learn more about what each has to offer and see if any good deals pop up.

I've got a Lumagen HDP on the way that will handle the 1080i to 1080P. And my a/v receiver doesn't handle the new audio stuff so I'm not sure if I want to upgrade just to get those features. Like how many DVD's have 7.1 audio and 7.1 has been around for several years now!

Well the 100$ off from toshiba expires to all resellers on June 14th IIRC.

bump...

What about XA2 vs A2 for just 1080i. Anyone know?

What about the component output? Does that still support 720p/1080i? Toshiba's product page barely mentions component.

And my a/v receiver doesn't handle the new audio stuff so I'm not sure if I want to upgrade just to get those features.

Does your receiver have 6 or 8 channel analog inputs? If so, you will notice the difference on TrueHD discs. You might consider that.

Like how many DVD's have 7.1 audio and 7.1 has been around for several years now!

Huh? There was no such thing as 7.1 encoding until the new audio formats. So as far as consumer availability is concerned it is months old but there are no 7.1 mixes yet. SD could have DD EX or DTS ES, but those were 6.1 (matrixed rear center).

Basically, not 7.1 receiver made before about 1 month ago can even decode a 7.1 stream because that encoding does not exist. 7.1 is "made up", the receiver generates the mix--that is all they "know" how to do to get 7.1.

Dave