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HD-A2 right for me?

post #1 of 16
10/24/07 at 5:26pm
Thread Starter 
I've got a mistubishi HD1000U (720p front projector) and an onkyo HTIB system (which sounds remarkably good for the $350 that it cost me). I have no plans to upgrade to 1080p in the foreseeable future; my current receiver does not support HDMI (and thus any of the audio formats associated with it), although I could see myself getting a new one in the next several months if I feel it is worth it.

The logical choice seems (to me) to be the HD-A2, since the features of the more expensive players don't seem to be of much use to me, with the exception of the audio outputs on some of them. Am I missing something? Is there a reason i should spend more for one of the other players? Are there any issues with the A2 I should know about?

Thanks
Thomas
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post #2 of 16
10/24/07 at 9:58pm
I am in a similar situation, I have a 32" 720P LCD with HDMI and my receiver does not support HDMI. I have an optical input available as well as analog inputs. The receiver suuports DD+ and DTS. Is there any advantage of the A3 over an A2? I can get a A2 for $198.00 or an A3 with two free movies for $298.00 at my local Walmart.

thanks,

Lamar
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post #3 of 16
10/24/07 at 10:09pm
Not only is there no advantage with the A3 compared to the A2, there is a huge disadvantage. The A2 down converts Dolby True HD and Dolby Digital Plus to 1.5 mbps DTS when using a S/PDIF optical connection. The A3 down converts these to Dolby Digital at 640 kbps which isn't nearly as good.

At the present Wal-Mart price for an A2, you can't go wrong.
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post #4 of 16
10/24/07 at 10:14pm
You really can't go wrong with the A2 + its looking like there are some really good bargains coming
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post #5 of 16
10/24/07 at 10:15pm
Also, with your Onkyo HTIB, you probably wouldn't notice as much of a difference if you bought an HD player with 5.1 anologs out over the 1.5mb downconverted DTS stream as you would with a higher end component system. Go for the A2. If my local walmart has them when I check tomorrow, it's going to be extremely difficult for me to leave the store empty handed at the $198 price point....
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post #6 of 16
10/25/07 at 12:28am
Put me on the 'go for the A2' list.

The A2 (I owned one) is a solid machine. Never gave me a single issue. The only reason mine's gone is that I needed to fund the upgrade to the 35.

Well, I didn't NEED to, I WANTED to. At least thats what my wife said.

I am also in the camp that would rather a downcovert to a 1.5 mb DTS track (naturally). And for $198? You don't want to know how much they were in April!

Regards...Will
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post #7 of 16
10/25/07 at 8:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by EocThermos View Post

I've got a mistubishi HD1000U (720p front projector) and an onkyo HTIB system (which sounds remarkably good for the $350 that it cost me). I have no plans to upgrade to 1080p in the foreseeable future; my current receiver does not support HDMI (and thus any of the audio formats associated with it), although I could see myself getting a new one in the next several months if I feel it is worth it.

The logical choice seems (to me) to be the HD-A2, since the features of the more expensive players don't seem to be of much use to me, with the exception of the audio outputs on some of them. Am I missing something? Is there a reason i should spend more for one of the other players? Are there any issues with the A2 I should know about?

Thanks
Thomas

Hi there,

I also have the hd1000u and I have hd a2, I tell you will not go wrong if choose a2, considering the price which is now 198.00 consider yourself lucky.
I got mine when it is 499.00, the picture quality with the hd1000u is stunning, I have my a2 setup in 1080i although you can also do 720p but I prefer 1080i. Goodluck

And if your htiB don't have hdmi no problem your onkyo will take the DD+, truehd etc into DTS which is not bad at all.
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post #8 of 16
10/25/07 at 9:07pm
Well, I decided to take the plunge and go for an A2 based on the info here on AVS. Anyway, long story short, Walmart would not sell me a player even though they had a huge endcap display with $198.00 plastered all over it. The computer would not ring it up. Managers were no help. They said they were pulling them off the floor as there is a recall. I told them there is nothing wrong with them and I want one, but they wouldn't budge. I'll check back tomorrow and see if I fare any better.
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post #9 of 16
10/25/07 at 10:11pm
No recall, lol. It was their excluse to not sell it prior to 11/3. Go back first thing next Friday, or get one on Amazon.com.
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post #10 of 16
10/26/07 at 8:35am
I am in a similar situation but wanted to add a small wrinkle to the discussion. I have a 50" pioneer plasma, 720p, but it can display 24fps. I understand the A2 can't do this, but would I really be missing anything?
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post #11 of 16
10/26/07 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by quadrophenia View Post

I am in a similar situation but wanted to add a small wrinkle to the discussion. I have a 50" pioneer plasma, 720p, but it can display 24fps. I understand the A2 can't do this, but would I really be missing anything?

You could get a refurb A20 instead for $219 plus shipping (online). They come with a 90 day Toshiba factory warranty. The A20 is a better SD DVD upscaler than the A2 and can do 1080p/24 out with the latest firmware update. Might be a better choice in your situation.
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post #12 of 16
10/26/07 at 9:03am
Thread Starter 
Keep us posted on the "Wal-Mart recall"! Thats where I was planning on getting mine.

Thanks for all the reassuring replies.
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post #13 of 16
10/26/07 at 11:46am
the A2's are $197 right now on circuitcity.com
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post #14 of 16
10/26/07 at 1:46pm
iam in the same boat i have a pioneer 912 k receiver that does not have hdmi only optical,so is it correct to say that the a2 would sound better then the a3?

also i have a sanyo z2 projector that can only uise the component cales for the 1080i.should i still stick with the a2?
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post #15 of 16
10/26/07 at 9:40pm
I went back to day to try to purchase the A2 at Wlamart. Still no go. Long story short they agreed to hold one for me until the Nov. 3rd sale. I said Ok. Found out about Circuit City $197.99 online sale. Ordered tonight and will pick up tomorrow. I will also see if they will honor Best Buys add for two addtional movies free? We'll see what happens.

Can't wait to call the Walmart Electronics Manager and tell him to forget it!!! Lost a sale because of silly games.
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post #16 of 16
10/26/07 at 9:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HDLooker View Post

I went back to day to try to purchase the A2 at Wlamart. Still no go. Long story short they agreed to hold one for me until the Nov. 3rd sale. I said Ok. Found out about Circuit City $197.99 online sale. Ordered tonight and will pick up tomorrow. I will also see if they will honor Best Buys add for two addtional movies free? We'll see what happens.

Can't wait to call the Walmart Electronics Manager and tell him to forget it!!! Lost a sale because of silly games.

Now let's not over react here..you KNEW they couldn't sell these early yet (based on other WM thread you read) but you tried to go get one anyway?...Stocking early was a mistake...that's all...not a game that they are trying to play on you.

If you weren't in such a hurry you could have one in what a week?

I realize you folks get VERY excited and antsy, but you are just days away from OFFICIALLY getting one at WM for the $198 price...guaranteed.
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