Hello everyone.
Great forum.
My first post so go easy.
I recently upgraded my entire home theater with the following equipment:
Denon 4806 CI
Samsung 57 1080P LCD
Toshiba HD DVD XA2
Toshiba HD DVD A2
Sony PS3
Series 3 Tivo
Philips Color Pronto 7000 URC.
APC 2000 VA Battery Backup
I currently have both the Toshiba A2 and the XA2 hooked up to the Denon with HDMI cables and the Denon sends video via HDMI to the Samsung. I have had both units for 3 weeks and watched about 13 HD-DVD movies and about 25 SD- DVD thus far.
I am no expert but I know what I see and hear and the following comments may be of interest to those yearning for a side by side comparison between the 2 Toshiba players.
Here it goes:
HD picture quality:
The PQ on both units is equal on my Samsung TV. I do not think that the 1080P native signal makes that much of a difference. Both are crisp and clear with good blacks and vivid colors.
SD DVD up conversion:
It is an easy win for the XA2 over the A2. The A2 exhibits a lot more grain and is not as clear or vivid. The picture quality is on par with the units that sell for $75-$129 in all major stores. The XA2 really stands out in this department. The PQ is simply cleaner and exhibits a lot less grain and more vivid colors than its little brother. I believe the XA2 has a Silicon Optix Reon-VX HQV video processor in place of the standard Faroudja. In my eyes this makes all the difference. Even if HD DVD fails, the player is worth the additional cost simply because of the outstanding PQ of SD DVD @ 1080p. (I have over 400 SD-DVDs in my collection.)
Audio Quality:
The bass is great and sounds are crisp and clean. The two units are equal on this front. No major differences when doing A-B comparisons.
I have browsed this forum for weeks prior to posting. Many members have complained about sound issues with both units when concerning base output. I have not had a single problem with either unit when using HDMI to the Denon. Perhaps HDMI made it easy for me because I did not have to deal with the analog issues some have experienced. I do not know for sure. Both units played all discs without lockups, pauses or hiccups. I could not be happier.
In closing, I would recommend both units for different users. The A2 for HD DVD only and XA2 for HD-DVD and outstanding SD DVD up conversion. I am keeping the XA2 and I'll be returning the A2 for a refund.
Michael
Great forum.
My first post so go easy.
I recently upgraded my entire home theater with the following equipment:
Denon 4806 CI
Samsung 57 1080P LCD
Toshiba HD DVD XA2
Toshiba HD DVD A2
Sony PS3
Series 3 Tivo
Philips Color Pronto 7000 URC.
APC 2000 VA Battery Backup
I currently have both the Toshiba A2 and the XA2 hooked up to the Denon with HDMI cables and the Denon sends video via HDMI to the Samsung. I have had both units for 3 weeks and watched about 13 HD-DVD movies and about 25 SD- DVD thus far.
I am no expert but I know what I see and hear and the following comments may be of interest to those yearning for a side by side comparison between the 2 Toshiba players.
Here it goes:
HD picture quality:
The PQ on both units is equal on my Samsung TV. I do not think that the 1080P native signal makes that much of a difference. Both are crisp and clear with good blacks and vivid colors.
SD DVD up conversion:
It is an easy win for the XA2 over the A2. The A2 exhibits a lot more grain and is not as clear or vivid. The picture quality is on par with the units that sell for $75-$129 in all major stores. The XA2 really stands out in this department. The PQ is simply cleaner and exhibits a lot less grain and more vivid colors than its little brother. I believe the XA2 has a Silicon Optix Reon-VX HQV video processor in place of the standard Faroudja. In my eyes this makes all the difference. Even if HD DVD fails, the player is worth the additional cost simply because of the outstanding PQ of SD DVD @ 1080p. (I have over 400 SD-DVDs in my collection.)
Audio Quality:
The bass is great and sounds are crisp and clean. The two units are equal on this front. No major differences when doing A-B comparisons.
I have browsed this forum for weeks prior to posting. Many members have complained about sound issues with both units when concerning base output. I have not had a single problem with either unit when using HDMI to the Denon. Perhaps HDMI made it easy for me because I did not have to deal with the analog issues some have experienced. I do not know for sure. Both units played all discs without lockups, pauses or hiccups. I could not be happier.
In closing, I would recommend both units for different users. The A2 for HD DVD only and XA2 for HD-DVD and outstanding SD DVD up conversion. I am keeping the XA2 and I'll be returning the A2 for a refund.
Michael
