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Tosh HD-XA2 1080p HD DVD - First End User Reports!: USERS ONLY PLEASE! - Page 9

post #241 of 4603
1/12/07 at 7:52am
After getting my XA2 wired in place of my A1 via HDMI to my Onkyo TX-SR804 I noticed that I don't get any audio options except stereo and multich in the Onkyo when playing an HD DVD. I also have the dreaded hum, which is one of the reasons I replaced the A1 with the XA2. Would I benefit from going HDMI direct to my Sharp LC42D62U and digital optical to the Onkyo. Would I lose the ability of TrueHD or any other sound options by connecting this way?

thanks in advance for any help

mark
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post #242 of 4603
1/12/07 at 8:07am
Hi guys, my J6P head hurt after reading all these questions and anwsers about the XA2's audio set up. I am still confused. I will apprreciate it if someone can help me out with my setup.

I connect my XA2 to a Yamaha RXV2700 receiver (Yamaha's latest model) via HDMI. In the XA2's audio setup, for Digital Out SPDIF, it's set to bitstream, for Digital Out HDMI, it's set to auto (I tried setting it to PCM as well). All speakers are set to small, subwoofer crossover set to 80 hz. I didn't changed the sound levels.

I played parts of MI3. The video (1080p) was very nice but the audio sucked. Very weak bass. I also have a PS3 that I play blue ray disks with, the sound from the PS3 is great (also HDMI to the receiver). My regular DVD player has great audio (optical cable to receiver) too. This leads me to believe that I set up the XA2 wrong.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

BTW, why does the XA2 have the speaker setup function? Is it the job of the receiver?
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post #243 of 4603
1/12/07 at 8:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerguy288 View Post

Hi guys, my J6P head hurt after reading all these questions and anwsers about the XA2's audio set up. I am still confused. I will apprreciate it if someone can help me out with my setup.

I connect my XA2 to a Yamaha RXV2700 receiver (Yamaha's latest model) via HDMI. In the XA2's audio setup, for Digital Out SPDIF, it's set to bitstream, for Digital Out HDMI, it's set to auto (I tried setting it to PCM as well). All speakers are set to small, subwoofer crossover set to 80 hz. I didn't changed the sound levels.

I played parts of MI3. The video (1080p) was very nice but the audio sucked. Very weak bass. I also have a PS3 that I play blue ray disks with, the sound from the PS3 is great (also HDMI to the receiver). My regular DVD player has great audio (optical cable to receiver) too. This leads me to believe that I set up the XA2 wrong.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

BTW, why does the XA2 have the speaker setup function? Is it the job of the receiver?

Did you turn "Dynamic Range Control" OFF in the audio setup. I would try this, it helped my sound.

Bob
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post #244 of 4603
1/12/07 at 9:05am
Have my XA2 connected via direct hdmi to my samsung 1080p dlp display. When I play hd dvd's all is great. When I play SD DVD's the picture I get is compressed it looks like a smaller 16:9 picture centered with black bars all the way around. Anyone having this problem ? What should I be looking for to correct this ?

Thanks,
Stizzi
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post #245 of 4603
1/12/07 at 9:45am
Watched Pirates of the Caribbean-Deads Man Chest yesterday on my XA2
and was simply amazed how well it looked. My brother asked if it was an HD
disc and didn't believe me when I told him it wasn't. So, I had to throw in
King Kong to show him what HD DVD really looks like. Lets just say he'll
be looking for an XA2 to connect to his 52" Sharp soon.

If the XA2 can upscale this well than there is no need for me to support BluRay
too. I'll just buy the SD movies from the studios that support BluRay and
have my XA2 upscale them.
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post #246 of 4603
1/12/07 at 10:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mthomson View Post

After getting my XA2 wired in place of my A1 via HDMI to my Onkyo TX-SR804 I noticed that I don't get any audio options except stereo and multich in the Onkyo when playing an HD DVD. I also have the dreaded hum, which is one of the reasons I replaced the A1 with the XA2. Would I benefit from going HDMI direct to my Sharp LC42D62U and digital optical to the Onkyo. Would I lose the ability of TrueHD or any other sound options by connecting this way?

thanks in advance for any help

mark

Dolby TrueHD is only through two sources:
1-HDMI 1.1 or higher
2-analog (multichannel)

If you use optical, you will not get Dolby TrueHD
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post #247 of 4603
1/12/07 at 10:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stizzi View Post

Have my XA2 connected via direct hdmi to my samsung 1080p dlp display. When I play hd dvd's all is great. When I play SD DVD's the picture I get is compressed it looks like a smaller 16:9 picture centered with black bars all the way around. Anyone having this problem ? What should I be looking for to correct this ?

Sounds like you're watching a non-anamorphic letterbox DVD.

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articl...c/welcome.html
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post #248 of 4603
1/12/07 at 10:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerguy288 View Post

Hi guys, my J6P head hurt after reading all these questions and anwsers about the XA2's audio set up. I am still confused. I will apprreciate it if someone can help me out with my setup.

I connect my XA2 to a Yamaha RXV2700 receiver (Yamaha's latest model) via HDMI. In the XA2's audio setup, for Digital Out SPDIF, it's set to bitstream, for Digital Out HDMI, it's set to auto (I tried setting it to PCM as well). All speakers are set to small, subwoofer crossover set to 80 hz. I didn't changed the sound levels.

I played parts of MI3. The video (1080p) was very nice but the audio sucked. Very weak bass. I also have a PS3 that I play blue ray disks with, the sound from the PS3 is great (also HDMI to the receiver). My regular DVD player has great audio (optical cable to receiver) too. This leads me to believe that I set up the XA2 wrong.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

BTW, why does the XA2 have the speaker setup function? Is it the job of the receiver?

I also have Yamaha Receiver(9060). My understanding of your set up is that you have everything set up correctly. However, you must recalibrate using AVIA or DVE for you XA2 speaker set up. Many have reported (with pioneer not Denon) that you have to boost Subwoofer by +10db. The mastering of HD_DVD with Dolby TrueHD is about 4DB less than regular. Also, what is your LFE level? Also, try adjusting volume "trim" for each input. up the gain for volume trime for DVD input.
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post #249 of 4603
1/12/07 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jasonDono View Post

Larry,
I'm fairly certain that I have the latest firmware on the 7205, I'll check it later when i turn on the projector and let you know. I have never had any handshake problems with it. I assume you read the manual and have switched the output to HDMI on the Toshiba? I made the mistake of switching the output to 1080P on the Toshiba. Lost the picture. The 7205 is supposed to accept some 1080P signals, but apparently not what the XA2 is putting out. I was able to remember the key presses to get it back to 1080i.
I am projecting onto a 110" diagonal FireHawk. I didn't expect SD to look as good as HD, but there are numerous posts saying that the upconverting of the XA2 makes for an almost HD picture. Just was hoping for a little more there. Like I said, hopefully it will do better with the RS1. Good luck with your M1 connection.

Jason

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the response.

Did you install the firmware upgrade? If so, how straight forward was it?

I assume that when you refer to "switched the output to HDMI on the Toshiba" you mean switching the mode to 2? This is the same for component as it is for HDMI.

I've got the Toshiba's output resolution set for 720p. On one occasion I tried 1080i. I couldn't really see a difference in picture quality.

How far do you usually sit from the screen?

Larry
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post #250 of 4603
1/12/07 at 10:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pifemaster View Post

Did you turn "Dynamic Range Control" OFF in the audio setup. I would try this, it helped my sound.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. I will try that.
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post #251 of 4603
1/12/07 at 10:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by psychdoctor View Post

I also have Yamaha Receiver(9060). My understanding of your set up is that you have everything set up correctly. However, you must recalibrate using AVIA or DVE for you XA2 speaker set up. Many have reported (with pioneer not Denon) that you have to boost Subwoofer by +10db. The mastering of HD_DVD with Dolby TrueHD is about 4DB less than regular. Also, what is your LFE level? Also, try adjusting volume "trim" for each input. up the gain for volume trime for DVD input.

Thanks, Dr. I will try to play around with it more this weekend.
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post #252 of 4603
1/12/07 at 11:55am
I am going to play with mine right now and see if the audio screeching comes back...
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post #253 of 4603
1/12/07 at 2:23pm
Has anyone tried a DVD-Audio disc in an XA2, just for the heck of it?
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post #254 of 4603
1/12/07 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joerod View Post

I am going to play with mine right now and see if the audio screeching comes back...


i find as long as your not to 'rough' on it there will be no audible screeching...
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post #255 of 4603
1/12/07 at 3:13pm
I played around with my XA2's audio setup a bit more but the audio from HD DVDs are still whimppy, very little bass. I turned my receiver's volume to -15 db, it sounded like it was at -30 db. I tried some of the stuff suggested by a follow forum member, it didn't do a thing. I am hoping some experts here can enlighten me. Here is the setup:

XA2 to a Yamaha RXV2700 receiver (Yamaha's latest model) via HDMI. In the XA2's audio setup, for Digital Out SPDIF, it's set to bitstream (no optical cable connected to the receiver), for Digital Out HDMI, it's set to auto (I tried setting it to PCM as well). Dynamic Range: Off. All speakers are set to small, subwoofer crossover set to 80 hz. I didn't changed the sound levels.

I played parts of the following HD DVDs: MI3, Appollo 13, Superman Return, and Jet Li's Fearless. The audio from all of them were all whimppy, very little bass, even the rocket blasting off in Appollo 13 was barely audible. I ran the XA2 test tone, heard very little bass there too (subwoofer level set to 0 db). But I played the last battle scene of Saving Private Ryan and the drum scene of House of Flying Daggers with the XA2, the audio were fine and the bass was there. BTW, the XA2 did a great job unconverting them.

I also have a PS3 (also HDMI to receiver) that I play blue ray disks with, the sound from the PS3 is terrific for both Sd dvd and BD.

What do you think the problem is with my HD DVD audio playback?

Thanks,

Bimmerguy
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post #256 of 4603
1/12/07 at 3:24pm
I just can't believe how well this player up-converts sd dvd. Watching HP and the Chamber of Secrets after they missed the train, the outside of the train station. The railing on the upper right becomes completely resolved at EE 2, and there doesn't seem to be any down side to it! Colors seem smoother and more vibrant.
The XA2 is a worthwhile step up from the XA1 IMO.

Dark Crystal Superbit looks great. Can't wait to try TFE Superbit.

I have only watched xXx in HD and it looked great. Hard to tell but I think you want to turn EE back to 0 for HD material.

Using Hitachi 51" CRT RPTV with DVI, calibrated by Avical. (No DVI problems)
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post #257 of 4603
1/12/07 at 3:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerguy288 View Post

XA2 to a Yamaha RXV2700 receiver (Yamaha's latest model) via HDMI. In the XA2's audio setup, for Digital Out SPDIF, it's set to bitstream (no optical cable connected to the receiver), for Digital Out HDMI, it's set to auto (I tried setting it to PCM as well). Dynamic Range: Off. All speakers are set to small, subwoofer crossover set to 80 hz.

Are your speakers are set to small in the player (enabling bass management) or did you mean in the receiver? If you are connected via HDMI using multichannel PCM, then your receiver should be able to perform the bass management. Probably not the issue, but wanted to clarify.
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post #258 of 4603
1/12/07 at 4:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dllewel View Post

Are your speakers are set to small in the player (enabling bass management) or did you mean in the receiver? If you are connected via HDMI using multichannel PCM, then your receiver should be able to perform the bass management. Probably not the issue, but wanted to clarify.

All speakers are set to "small" in both the receiver and the XA2. It's definiately not the setup of the receiver or the speakers since both my PS3 and regular dvd player have great audio with the same setup, even the XA2 played the regular dvd (Saving Private Ryan and House of Flying Daggers) fine, both video/audio. Only when it played HD DVDs, it output that whimpy sound.

Thanks,
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post #259 of 4603
1/12/07 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by applejackaz View Post

I just can't believe how well this player up-converts sd dvd. Watching HP and the Chamber of Secrets after they missed the train, the outside of the train station. The railing on the upper right becomes completely resolved at EE 2, and there doesn't seem to be any down side to it! Colors seem smoother and more vibrant.
The XA2 is a worthwhile step up from the XA1 IMO.



I have only watched xXx in HD and it looked great. Hard to tell but I think you want to turn EE back to 0 for HD material.

This player really is amazing. The Edge Enhancement feature works really
well with SD discs. Still testing it with HD.

Remember, there are three picture memory settings. You may want to use one for HD viewing and one for SD viewing instead of changing Edge Enhancement back
to 0.
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post #260 of 4603
1/12/07 at 6:04pm
Looks like one-call just got their shipment in, im going to go grab one on monday! Thanks for all the feedback, makes my decision much easier!
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post #261 of 4603
1/12/07 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lastxbr960 View Post

Can you or someone else who has extra time in the future, compare 1080i thru component with the 360 addon vs the XA2 for HD and SD using a double layer DVD backup disk with out copy protection?
I am really more interested in SD and component output to see how the special DAC's work.
Thanks ahead of time.

Has anybody done any evaluation of upscaling non-copy protected SD DVDs over component?
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post #262 of 4603
1/12/07 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerguy288 View Post

Thanks, Dr. I will try to play around with it more this weekend.

Also, I just read a long file on LFE in this forum which list acceptable a/v receivers that boosts LFE by +10DB. Most of Denon receivers do but yamaha 2700/1700 is considered questionable. If you go into your LFE in set up menu, make sure it reads "0"db (it goes down to -20DB). Check in speaker set up if you set LFE to "both" or "front" or Subwoofer. My understanding is if you set speaker set to "both" the LFE will go to both subwoofer and front speakers, even if you set front speakers to "Small". Play around with those settings. Boost the tonal bass up to +2.0 or higher so that your sub reads the signals better. The DVD volume trim can go up to +6 DB so max it out. Remember, you must make up for the -10db LFE that HD mastering will do so that it will not cause clipping. Let me know if any of this works.
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post #263 of 4603
1/12/07 at 8:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerguy288 View Post

I played around with my XA2's audio setup a bit more but the audio from HD DVDs are still whimppy, very little bass. I turned my receiver's volume to -15 db, it sounded like it was at -30 db. I tried some of the stuff suggested by a follow forum member, it didn't do a thing. I am hoping some experts here can enlighten me. Here is the setup:

XA2 to a Yamaha RXV2700 receiver (Yamaha's latest model) via HDMI. In the XA2's audio setup, for Digital Out SPDIF, it's set to bitstream (no optical cable connected to the receiver), for Digital Out HDMI, it's set to auto (I tried setting it to PCM as well). Dynamic Range: Off. All speakers are set to small, subwoofer crossover set to 80 hz. I didn't changed the sound levels.

I played parts of the following HD DVDs: MI3, Appollo 13, Superman Return, and Jet Li's Fearless. The audio from all of them were all whimppy, very little bass, even the rocket blasting off in Appollo 13 was barely audible. I ran the XA2 test tone, heard very little bass there too (subwoofer level set to 0 db). But I played the last battle scene of Saving Private Ryan and the drum scene of House of Flying Daggers with the XA2, the audio were fine and the bass was there. BTW, the XA2 did a great job unconverting them.

I also have a PS3 (also HDMI to receiver) that I play blue ray disks with, the sound from the PS3 is terrific for both Sd dvd and BD.

What do you think the problem is with my HD DVD audio playback?

Thanks,

Bimmerguy

The fact you can get bass with PS3 (what others also report good bass) makes me wonder if the fault is with toshiba HD players. My reasoning is, you are using the same set up with same a/v receiver and get the appropriate bass with BR discs but not AX2 HD player. Now it is possible that toshiba will come out with firmware to fix this but I must admit, it turns me off with toshiba HD players. Older models like XA1 & A1 players had the same issue with LFE minimalization. Yet PS3 plays just find. Maybe others can explain why this is happening.
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post #264 of 4603
1/12/07 at 8:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerguy288 View Post

All speakers are set to "small" in both the receiver and the XA2.

Don't do that for an HDMI audio connection! Leave the XA2 speaker settings to Large, distance & levels to 0 and sub to "use" and cross at the highest (120 Hz) freq. Your AVR should do all the Bass Management and speaker cal, distance comp, etc. Only do it once.
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post #265 of 4603
1/12/07 at 9:35pm
ok, i'm confused...do these second gen machines, particularly the xa2, no longer reencode to dts at 1.5Kbps for transmission over s/pdif (optical or coax)?
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post #266 of 4603
1/13/07 at 12:18am
Can someone check playback compatibility with content on DVD +R/RW format? Everything I've seen in print states that the XA2 is compatible with -R/RW, but never mentions + format specifically.

Thanks,
TG
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post #267 of 4603
1/13/07 at 3:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenDover View Post

ok, i'm confused...do these second gen machines, particularly the xa2, no longer reencode to dts at 1.5Kbps for transmission over s/pdif (optical or coax)?

Hi,

The HD-A2 does, the HD-XA2 doesn't.

SPDIF connection doesn't convert Dolby TrueHD & DD+ to DTS bitstream on HD-XA2.

Following my posting #3438 (link above) there's some discussion of the whether this change in design is desirable.

Larry
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post #268 of 4603
1/13/07 at 6:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryChanin View Post

Hi,

The HD-A2 does, the HD-XA2 doesn't.

SPDIF connection doesn't convert Dolby TrueHD & DD+ to DTS bitstream on HD-XA2.

Following my posting #3438 (link above) there's some discussion of the whether this change in design is desirable.

Larry

Thank you...and this is the damned result of people complaining that they don't understand, if the disc says dd+, why are they seeing dts on their AVRs...arrrrgggh

most of those people making all the noise weren't even people that supported HD

DVD but were the detractors...imo

it is great that they added the ability to reencode to dd as well as dts, but we should have the option of which we prefer...i much preferred getting a reencode to dts at 1.5!!!!


is there a thread dedicated to this? i hope toshiba gives us the option back in a future firmware upgrade.
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post #269 of 4603
1/13/07 at 6:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by A/Vspec View Post

Can anyone check what zoom/aspect features, if any, that the player has?

I of course am looking for a vertical stretch zoom for 2.35:1 movies.


So anyone find a zoom feature yet?
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post #270 of 4603
1/13/07 at 7:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BenDover View Post

Thank you...and this is the damned result of people complaining that they don't understand, if the disc says dd+, why are they seeing dts on their AVRs...arrrrgggh

most of those people making all the noise weren't even people that supported HD

DVD but were the detractors...imo

it is great that they added the ability to reencode to dd as well as dts, but we should have the option of which we prefer...i much preferred getting a reencode to dts at 1.5!!!!


is there a thread dedicated to this? i hope toshiba gives us the option back in a future firmware upgrade.

Hi,

I agree that ideally the HD-XA2 should have the option of which format the player reencodes to, 640kbps Dolby Digital or 1.5mbps DTS.

I thought the G2 HD-A2 Information and Discussion thread was an appropriate place to post this design change. To my knowledge there is no other thread dedicated to the subject. However, the problem with long general threads is that they rarely focus on a particular topic, so feel free to start a new one to explore this in more depth.

I want to direct your attention to Robert George's posting #3456 on that other thread. Quoted below Robert states that the pros and cons of the two SPDIF digital audio formats has been discussed for many years.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert George View Post

RE: Dolby Digital 640 kb/s vs. DTS 1.5 mb/s

I realize a lot of you guys are new to this sort of thing, but now that Toshiba is actually sending a Dolby Digital bitstream correctly rather then re-encoding into DTS, it now veers into territory that has been covered for many years.

First off, what will look better, a VC-1 encode at 14 mb/s or a MPEG-2 encode at 18 mb/s? Anyone that has both formats should know this answer. it is also the answer to the audio issue. DTS is an inherently less efficient compression codec than Dolby Digital. Anyone that automatically assumes DTS at 1.5 mb/s is better than Dolby Digital at 640 kb/s is simply wrong.

Dolby Digital at 640 kb/s will preserve more of the original audio than will DTS at 1.5 mb/s. Don't lose any sleep over this. Toshiba should have been doing this from the beginning.

I tried to solicit other forum members observations regarding whether they heard a difference between 640kbps Dolby Digital and 1.5mbps DTS by listening to HD DVDs that had a DTS track. Unfortunately, no forum members responded. (Perhaps if you started a other thread dedicated to the subject, you might try soliciting observations again.) At any rate, in support of Robert's assertion, in comparing tracks on the opening battle scenes on The Manchurian Candidate, 640kbps Dolby Digital seemed superior to 1.5mbps DTS. It seemed to me that the surround information was much more defined in Dolby and weakly reproduced in DTS. This was a limited test and by no means comprehensive.

Larry
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