Toshiba HD-E1 and HD-XE-1 announced

[oli61]

At the german IFA show Toshiba announced their line-up for the HD-DVD launch in Europe. The HD-E1 (599 EURO) will launch in November, and the HD-XE1 (899 EURO) in December. Both have decoders for DD+, DTS-HD and DolbyTrueHD (both in 5.1). The HD-XE1 also has 1080p and HDMI 1.3

See attached PDF-file (in german).

Oli

[Robert D]

Originally Posted by oli61

At the german IFA show Toshiba announced their line-up for the HD-DVD launch in Europe. The HD-E1 (599 EURO) will launch in November, and the HD-XE1 (899 EURO) in December. Both have decoders for DD+, DTS-HD and DolbyTrueHD (both in 5.1). The HD-XE1 also has 1080p and HDMI 1.3

See attached PDF-file (in german).

Oli

Wow 1080p and HDMI 1.3, now that is a news bomb.

[aaronwt]

It also decodes DTS-HD!

[Enigma]

I assume the 1080p & 1.3 version won't ship right away, as they haven't started shipping the 1.3 HDMI chips yet, AFAIK. Maybe by the first of the year I can see this being out. And I assume the 1080p is done via de-interlacing chip, like the Sammy BD player (not that there's anything wrong with that). Those are much better differentiating features than the current two tiers of Tosh, though, IMO.

Oh, I believe DTS-HD is the re-name of normal DTS (or something close to that). The lossless version is now called DTS Master Audio.

[grant7311]

Will we see any of these new Toshiba players in North America before Xmas?

[BIG ED]

HD DVD has no region coding for HD DVD.
Does it have region coding for SD DVD?
A1's from Japan came to the US, before the official North American launch.
So, yeah!
When ever these hit European shores, there sure to leap over the pond.
What langauge, does EU A/V equipment 'speak'?

[bitemymac]

I don't read German but from what I can make out of the PDF file, Toshiba HD-E1 will not have 5.1 analog ,1080p capability, and no HDMI 1.3 for the price of 300EUR?.... Am I correct?......

[ChrisW6ATV]

Originally Posted by aaronwt

It also decodes DTS-HD!

The PDF file specifies "DTS core" decoding of DTS-HD for both models, the same as the USA players.

[oli61]

Originally Posted by bitemymac

I don't read German but from what I can make out of the PDF file, Toshiba HD-E1 will not have 5.1 analog ,1080p capability, and no HDMI 1.3 for the price of 300EUR?.... Am I correct?......

Yep.
I think, the E1 cannot play the HD-sound-formats in 5.1, since it lacks both HDMI 1.3 and 5.1 analog out.

[b.greenway]

Originally Posted by oli61

Yep.
I think, the E1 cannot play the HD-sound-formats in 5.1, since it lacks both HDMI 1.3 and 5.1 analog out.

HDMI 1.1 will pass them as PCM.

[Rowlander]

599 Euro, hm, that puts it dangerously next to the PS3. It´s a pitty they couldn´t make it 499. But on the other hand, the HD-market in Europe is not that big. Enthusiasts inform themselves and many HT-freaks will probably still choose this HD-DVD player over buying a game-console to watch their movies on.
The unit looks solid and the 1080p output of the HD-XE1 is also exciting.

[Nedtsc]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I assume the 1080p & 1.3 version won't ship right away, as they haven't started shipping the 1.3 HDMI chips yet, AFAIK.

October.link

[aaronwt]

Originally Posted by ChrisW6ATV

The PDF file specifies "DTS core" decoding of DTS-HD for both models, the same as the USA players.

Well that Sucks!

[BenDover]

i guess that 'toshiba engineer' whom people have been quoting for lack of tl hd45 playback until 2007 didn't know what he was talking about...but to be fair, he did preface the interview by saying he did not work in the part of toshiba that handled ce devices but in the computer drive division...but you can't stop the spin machine once it is in full spin cycle mode!


this is great news ... how the hell did they sneak hdmi 1.3 in there...toshiba is really executing their war strategy quite well!

now when the hell are we in the usa and japan going to get these new g2 players since that is obviously what they are!

[Grubert]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I assume the 1080p & 1.3 version won't ship right away, as they haven't started shipping the 1.3 HDMI chips yet, AFAIK.

In Europe, the XE1 is shipping "early December", as opposed to "mid November" for the E1.

Those are much better differentiating features than the current two tiers of Tosh, though, IMO.

I agree. In comparison to the US 1g models, the XE1 is a better deal... and the E1 a worse one (no analog multichannel outputs? Come on, even noname $50 players have them now!).

[eggboy]

but what about the US and Japan models?
No HDMI 1.3 in US and Japan?

[Krobar]

Some better pics for the HD-E1/XE1:
http://www.areadvd.de/news/2006/IFA_...D-DVD_02.shtml
http://www.areadvd.de/news/2006/IFA_...a_HD-DVD.shtml

[DavidHir]

That's pretty sleek looking.

[Kosty]

Ok, I now have high end XE1 euro envy.

Is there any chance that the EU will force these players to be region free so I can play my region 1 disks in them?

I mean huge multi-national government entities have to be good for something right? I mean I would like to take advantage of our European friends VAT tax dollars at work.

[plazman]

Originally Posted by Krobar

Some better pics for the HD-E1/XE1:
http://www.areadvd.de/news/2006/IFA_...D-DVD_02.shtml
http://www.areadvd.de/news/2006/IFA_...a_HD-DVD.shtml

WOW! these are beautiful devices

[seanb61]

HD DVD's ''Look and Sound of Perfect'' Now Playing in
Europe; HD DVD Players and Movie Content Available for the
2006 Holiday Season; European and Hollywood Studios Show
Strong Support for the Format
Sep 1 at 10:15
Profile hits: QU1

BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 1, 2006--
In a press conference today at IFA, the HD DVD Promotion Group, a
multinational organization comprised of more than 130 leading consumer
electronics, entertainment, software, IT, and disc replication companies,
announced that next-generation HD DVD players and high-definition content will
be widely available to the European market beginning November 2006. HD DVD will
provide consumers with pristine video and stunning surround sound allowing them
to take advantage of today's high-definition televisions and home theater
systems.
Toshiba Corporation unveiled two new HD DVD players for the European
market that will be available in just a few weeks. The first player is a
mainstream model priced at 599EURO. A higher-end model will be available in
December at 899EURO. Both players offer new, state-of-the-art video processing,
support for the latest video and surround-sound formats, and extensive support
for advanced navigation and interactive features, along with a new, slimline
design. The high-end model adds 1080p output to the Toshiba line-up. This
announcement follows the company's launch of AV notebook PC Qosmio G30 with HD
DVD-ROM drive this June.
Studio Canal announced 10 titles that will be available in November
followed by an additional 15 titles by March including "The Pianist," "Million
Dollar Baby" and "La Haine." Executives from Paramount Home Entertainment
International, Universal Pictures International and Warner Home Video announced
more than 25 titles including "Apollo 13," "Constantine," "Goodfellas,"
"Jarhead," "M:i:III" and "Lethal Weapon" will be available in Europe to coincide
with the release of the Toshiba players. Together, nearly 40 titles will be
available throughout Europe by the end of 2006 and more than 55 in the first
quarter of 2007. The studios also pledged strong support for HD DVD in 2007 and
highlighted plans to offer current theatrical releases as well as choice
selections from their vast catalogs of classics over the next several months.
Pathe Distribution announced that "Renaissance," the French animated
science fiction film, will be available in HD DVD at launch, and 2 Entertain has
committed to release the highly acclaimed BBC/Sir David Attenborough program
"Planet Earth."
"HD DVD has been lauded by early adopters in the US and Japan for
providing consistently high-quality and unsurpassed audio and video
performance," said Yoshihide Fujii, Chairman of the HD DVD Promotion Group and
Toshiba's Corporate Senior Vice President and President and CEO of Digital Media
Network Company. "Europe is seeing fast-growing demand for HDTV, and we are
proud to offer HD DVD as a way to help customers maximize enjoyment of their
home theaters."
As one of the key technology providers for HD DVD, Microsoft offered its
perspective on HD DVD encompassing both IT and entertainment.
"With industry-leading audio, video and interactivity experience, HD DVD
has delighted enthusiasts and professionals alike," stated Amir Majidimehr,
Corporate Vice President for Consumer Media Technology at Microsoft Corporation.
"With the power of advanced compression technology, ease of manufacturing of
dual-layer discs, and superb value of players, HD DVD has set a new standard in
home theater entertainment."
Leading authoring and replication companies including CMC, Cyberlink, DMP,
MPO, Sonic Solutions, Sonopress and QOL were also represented, and MPO announced
that it will produce all of the first Studio Canal releases. Imagion was on hand
to add an authoring company perspective on HD DVD and discussed "Elephants
Dream," the first title the company has authored in the new format.
"One of the most important aspects of making HD DVD a success in Europe is
to make sure that the companies creating or distributing content in the region
have access to all of the tools and services necessary to manufacture discs
locally," said Rodolphe Buet, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at
Studio Canal. "Working with MPO enabled us to be able to offer so many titles so
quickly and the fact that all of the major players in Europe are already up and
running with HD DVD will allow the format to continue to grow rapidly."

[ryoohki]

Well we may see new Toshiba American Model at CEDIA after that announcement..

[ryoohki]

Originally Posted by Grubert

In Europe, the XE1 is shipping "early December", as opposed to "mid November" for the E1.



I agree. In comparison to the US 1g models, the XE1 is a better deal... and the E1 a worse one (no analog multichannel outputs? Come on, even noname $50 players have them now!).

It's all about Feature. Here the 499 have all of them and the AX1 doesn't seem to see very well since it offer nothing more than the 499$ one (Better Chassis isn't a feature that a lot of people check)

Now you have 2 model one that is 1080p , HDMI 1.3, Have Analog Out or one that is 1080i and HDMI 1.2 (still being able to send HDMI PCI in 5.1 like the A1) the price difference are more interesting for people who can afford it

[g55555sim]

finally Reuter picked up the launch news

http://today.reuters.com/stocks/Quot...DVD.XML&rpc=66

[tbacos]

1080p is nice, although it'll force me to have to upgrade my projector too. oh, the tyranny!

[koolio]

This is awesome, awesome news - especially, the 1080p news. The BD supporters are always bashing the Toshiba for not supporting 1080p (even though we all know that the Samsung doesn't output 1080p native). It will really help "even" the spec sheet when compared to BD players for J6P.

Now, HDMI 1.3 is also a nice addition this early in the game.

[kendelahoussaye]

I asked our Toshiba rep a few days ago about the possibility of a player that will be 1.3 and have 1080p output. All she said was to keep on the look out, well that was quick. Very good news, if the newer players have less bugs(slow load times, etc..) then it's time for me to jump in. Well, I lied, I may get one regardless. I'm just wondering how BR will be able to "justify" thier prices now....

[QuadESL63]

I wish they will have the XE-1 here soon!

BTW, are these still PC based hardware like the A1/XA1?

[Mark Zimmer]

Didn't think I'd be looking at a 2nd HD DVD player this soon, but Toshiba is tempting me.

[los seres]

Toshiba to Ship HD DVD Player at 599 euros

Toshiba's vice president for the European DVD business, Masaki Kimura, told journalists at the IFA electronics show here that 10,000 players would be shipped to Europe from Japan to cater to early demand and subsequent shipments would depend on consumer interest.

The company has not given any details of sales in the United States.

Toshiba said the devices were more expensive in Europe than in the United States, even when differences in value added tax were taken into account, because the players that would hit the European market had more features and were thinner.