Forget XP/Vista Get The A3!! - Page 2

Agreed, the sound track on TF was the best I've heard DD. If they did it this way on all of the titles there would be no need for True HD imo. And no need to update your AVR.

This player, if any of you guys get a chance to pick one up test it for your self it's only a C note. The overall PQ is just mind boggling with this China made player. PDVD suffers from aliasing and banding issues and compatibility. The SA does not suffer from this unlike our software players, performance wise this thing plays back flawless without issues.

As for the interlaced issue, I tested movies in the PC last night and took some snaps of certain scenes. The player looks and plays better! Colors are very well balanced with no red push and the A3 has no BTB WTW issue either this was tested by another poster in the HD threads compared to the A2.

I know you guys are hard core HTPC'rs but yesterday the HTPC didn't even get fired up until I started testing last night. It not only gives my hardware a break but the player is a lot more quite than my tower with less heat build up in my room too. I just see positives with this this thing atm probably because it's my first cheapest SA I have ever owned.

As mentioned if you own a progressive LCD with a good internal de interlacing you will not see any difference. The LX seems to do a superb job of this. I'm also running the signal on this TV @ 120Hz clear frame so horizontal pans are very smooth and movie like.

The way midnight explains it it's almost better to get the none progressive player due to the fact of IVTC being introduced. Seems like the SA has to work harder just to get a progressive signal out to your progressive TV. And if your TV can de interlace a proper signal I think your better off letting the TV do it anyway.

Wow I've never been called a fanboy, penngray I've always respected your opinions, and calling names and shouting out is not like you. And I think this thread is very educational for those sitting on the fence. midnightwatcher & stanger89 posted some very useful info. People chime in asking whether to invest in PC or SA for just watching movies and the consensuses is get a SA. So I think this thread is relevant.
Edit:
Sorry, forgot stranger89 added some very useful info also thank you.

Ah man thanks for that link this thread needed a good laugh. CEMENT is just precious! Never saw that one coming!

No... my apologies for getting to excited about SA's it's my first unit and I should have never titled the header in that manner. I know we are all passionate about our HTPC's and it will never be replaced in my book either.
END.

Why I'm leaning toward HD DVD:

If HD DVD does go all the way, we as PC'rs/Average Joe will have everything to benefit, BW compatibility and also dl'ing and storing from the net. Although I'm purple from a standing point and speaking as an end user of fair use, this seems to be the better for everybody in the end especially for us PC'rs! imo.

Sorry for the one sided red rant!

Dollars & $ense:

Microsoft and Intel cited the following consumer and industry requirements of any successful next-generation optical format for high definition, which is reflected by what HD DVD delivers today:
Managed Copy: A first for DVDs. Managed Copy is a guaranteed feature within HD DVD that gives consumers the freedom to make copies of their discs to a hard drive or home server, including Media Center PCs using Intel Viiv technology, and enjoy them in every room of the house over their home networks. HD DVD discs also will allow copies of the movie to be played on portable devices.
Future-proof compatibility. Using proven HD DVD hybrid disc technology, a single disc can store both high-definition and standard-definition versions of a film, allowing consumers to immediately enjoy the standard-definition movies stored on these discs on today's DVD players, while HD movies can be replayed later on the HD DVD platform. This is an opportunity for consumers to buy discs at launch that future proof their collections in other words, helping assure customers that the discs they buy will remain viewable in the future.
Proven low-cost, high-volume manufacturing. HD DVD discs use essentially the same manufacturing equipment as existing DVDs, meaning that production of HD DVD can ramp up easily and with lower costs.
Superior capacity. HD DVD-ROM discs will offer dual-layer 30GB discs at launch, compared with BD-ROM discs, which will be limited to 25GB.
Superior interactivity. HD DVD discs will offer greater interactivity using iHD technology, allowing for enhanced content, navigation and value-added functionality for high-definition films. For example, HD DVDs can offer advanced picture-in-picture capability so that other video, such as a director's commentary, could play on top of the movie.
Superior format for notebook PCs. The compatibility of HD DVD with standard DVD facilitates and simplifies development of slim disc drives for integration in notebook PCs, one of the fastest-growing segments of the PC market.
As longtime leaders in the development of new industry specifications, Intel and Microsoft believe a single optical disc format is an ideal solution that would drive rapid consumer adoption. Although the companies have determined that HD DVD is the only viable solution at this time, each remains committed to working toward one format that meets consumer and industry requirements.
About the HD DVD Promotion Group
The HD DVD Promotion Group aims to exchange views and thoughts to help promote the HD DVD format based contents and products into the marketplace and share its promotional activity among members to encourage the broad acceptance of HD DVD on a world wide basis among members of the group, related industries and the public.
About Intel
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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I believe we here at the HTPC forums are mature enough to handle these topics you are proof of that with the conversation about disk space. But I agree this thread I started is pure blasphemy, but in essence a good thing too. I'm still enjoying the SA experience, compared to playback in the PC because it just won't play certain titles without having to resort to ripping tools. The hardware specs of course for SA is complete so at least you can enjoy the benefit of getting the full spectrum of the sound tracks.

PDVD's latest update has caused Elemtent 5 to give back refunds due to the lack of HDD playback that was silently slipped in with the latest patch that denied playback off the HDD. It doesn't look good for the PC enthusiast to get into HD DVD playback for the PC at this point and time due to so so many restrictions and poor software support.