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Your Ranking of the HD DVD standalones

post #1 of 64
11/6/07 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 
How do you rank the HD DVD standalones?

Here's mine:
1. XA2
2. A35
3. XA1
4. A2
5. A30
6. A3
7. A1

To make the thread more interesting/informative add your opinions on the subject as well!

1. XA2 [REON, 1080p 24fps, build quality, Wolfen DAC's, "upgrades"]
2. 1. A35 [analog outs, 1080p 24fps, & the "upcoming" upgrade features]
3. XA1 [built like a tank, solid performance on all three media's]
4. A2 [sale prices make this model 'priceless'!]
5. A30 [?]
6. A3 [no S-Video (no biggie really), no DTS core output on toslink]
7. A1 [entry level G1, what did you expect? build quality exceptional, though]

Enjoy.

I would think/predict/hope the Onkyo will be #1.
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post #2 of 64
11/6/07 at 1:42pm
I'd switch the A1 and A2 around
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post #3 of 64
11/6/07 at 1:46pm
Quote:


To make the thread more interesting/informative add your opinions on the subject as well!
1. A35 [REON, analog outs, & the "upcoming" upgrade features]


A35 doesn't have the Reon. XA2 does. Does that change your ranking?
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post #4 of 64
11/6/07 at 1:47pm
Although I find this an interesting idea, I think very few--if any--of us could do this. To be fair you should have owned (or borrowed) all of these models before you start ranking them. How many people actually have both the XA2 and the A35? Not many, even on this forum!
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post #5 of 64
11/6/07 at 1:47pm
A-35 No REON. A-30 is 1080p.
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post #6 of 64
11/6/07 at 1:48pm
Right I own the A2 and the A1. At this point, I truly think the A1 has the better PQ.
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post #7 of 64
11/6/07 at 1:52pm
Also forgot the HD DVD addon for the XBox 360. I use it with my computer with Ultra Power DVD. No contest from the three that I have:

XA2 is king
A1 - Slow but analogs and great picture/sound.
HD DVD addon - Nice that I can use it with my computer.
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post #8 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:26pm
xa2 1080p/24 is still vapor from toshiba and that alone puts it in second place until its fixed imho
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post #9 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:29pm
The A1 and XA1 are the same player, except the XA1 has RS232 and that annoying door. The A1 has the advantage of looking like a 1988 VCR.

My point is, why are they ranked so far apart?
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post #10 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:29pm
Great, I just bought the A30 and its in 5th place..lmao
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post #11 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:33pm
Ok, ranking should be more like:

1. XA2
2. XA1
3. A35
4. A30
5. A2
6. A3
7. A1

I have A2 and A30 and I know for a fact A30 is 1080P because it says "1080P/24fps" as a choice. LOL
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post #12 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MohaimenK View Post

Ok, ranking should be more like:

1. XA2
2. XA1
3. A35
4. A30
5. A2
6. A3
7. A1

I have A2 and A30 and I know for a fact A30 is 1080P because it says "1080P/24fps" as a choice. LOL

Why are you putting the XA1 and A1 so far apart? Functionally, they are the same.
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post #13 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:43pm
XA1 won the product of the year award, right?
Then came XA2 which were even more better than XA1, right?

Then it's hard to keep up with all new releases from Toshiba -What has A35 got in common with XA2?
They both has reon, etc etc...

Oh my rank is a tide -XA2 with A35
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post #14 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:48pm
How do the analogue outs of the A35 compare with the XA2? Do they use the same DACs/DSPs (SHARC)?
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post #15 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:52pm
XA2: High-performance SHARC® DSP
Realize the benefits of new generation high-definition audio to complement high-definition video with 32-bit floating point SHARC DSP. Designed to perform audio conversion while executing extensive on-board multi-channel signal management, SHARC DSP in HD DVD delivers the stunning audio to complete your total high-definition experience.
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post #16 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:52pm
I love my a1. I have a walmart $99 A2 that I bought as a gift that I tried out to make sure it works and to update the firmware. Its a decent unit, but I wouldnt trade my A1 for it. The A1 has quirks but is still a great player with analog outputs.
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post #17 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:53pm
Since when does the XA2 have Wolfson DACs?

Aesthetically speaking, I don't think any current and future players will touch the XA1.
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post #18 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tdavis21484 View Post

Why are you putting the XA1 and A1 so far apart? Functionally, they are the same.

Its using a chip...I forgot the name...uhh somebody wants to step in???
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post #19 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:55pm
Since when has the A35 had Reon?
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post #20 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:55pm
1. A35 =Can do 7.1 audio via HDMI
2. XA2
3. A30 =Can do 7.1 audio via HDMI
4. XA1
5. A20
6. A3 =Can do 7.1 audio via HDMI
7. A2
8. A1
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post #21 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5thDanMaster View Post

1. A35 =Can do 7.1 audio via HDMI
2. XA2
3. A30 =Can do 7.1 audio via HDMI
4. XA1
5. A20
6. A3 =Can do 7.1 audio via HDMI
7. A2
8. A1

Well, with this infomation i stand corrected
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post #22 of 64
11/6/07 at 2:58pm
XA2 - Reon, bitstream support is coming :-)
A35 - 1080P24, 7.1 Bitstream
A30 - 1080p24
A20 - 1080p24
XA1 - Best build quality of the group
HDA3
HDA2
HDA1
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post #23 of 64
11/6/07 at 3:00pm
Quote:


"The Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark test DVD confirmed these findings. As expected, the Toshiba aced all the jaggies, flag and detail tests. Pioneer's Blu-ray player did not fare as well. For example, the Toshiba player received a perfect 10 score on the color bar test, with no flickering observed, while Pioneer's HD-BP1 Blu-ray player, set at 1080p output failed this test, producing an image that flickered, and failed the jaggy tests as well."

HD GURU
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post #24 of 64
11/6/07 at 3:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Megalith View Post

Since when does the XA2 have Wolfson DACs?

Aesthetically speaking, I don't think any current and future players will touch the XA1.

Yep... i love my XA1. the only thig it's really missing is the reon processor for upscaled performance.
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post #25 of 64
11/6/07 at 3:03pm
Toshiba HD DVD and superlatives

Quote:


"There's probably a smug look on the face of the cynics among us right now. You know, the types who are so negative about the format war that they're willing to ignore the fact that we not only have high-def on a disc, but we have the best HD we've ever seen and heard, period. And Toshiba, which launched the HD DVD format with two players in Spring of 2006, released its second generation players in December and January, with not even a full year in between the two generations"
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post #26 of 64
11/6/07 at 3:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Megalith View Post

Since when does the XA2 have Wolfson DACs?

Aesthetically speaking, I don't think any current and future players will touch the XA1.

The XA2 has 297MHz/12bit Video DAC (analogue) outputs but I dont know what brand it is.
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post #27 of 64
11/6/07 at 3:40pm
Where does the RCA HDV5000 fit in?
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post #28 of 64
11/6/07 at 4:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bootman_head_fi View Post

Where does the RCA HDV5000 fit in?

It's based on the A1
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post #29 of 64
11/6/07 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIG ED View Post

How do you rank the HD DVD standalones?

Here's mine:
1. A35
2. XA2
3. XA1
4. A2
5. A30
6. A3
7. A1
To make the thread more interesting/informative add your opinions on the subject as well!
1. A35 [REON, analog outs, & the "upcoming" upgrade features]
2. XA2 [build quality, Wolfen DAC's, "upgrades"]
3. XA1 [built like a tank, solid performance on all three media's]
4. A2 [sale prices make this model 'priceless'!]
5. A30 [today's top of the line 1080i (only) performer]
6. A3 [no S-Video (no biggie really), no DTS core output on toslink]
7. A1 [entry level G1, what did you expect? build quality exceptional, though]
Enjoy.

I would think/predict/hope the Onkyo will be #1.

Since when is the A30 "1080i only"? (also, you left out the A20) And where did you come up with the A35 having the REON? Also, what is the performance difference between the A1 and the XA1?

Don't you think you ought to learn something about these players before you attempt to rank them?
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post #30 of 64
11/6/07 at 4:32pm
XA2 - Reon upconvert tips the balance; it's awesome and I watch a lot of DVDs.
A2 - can't be beat for value and very good upconvert ... the HD DVD is practically a free upgrade tossed in

I own the above. What follows is just opinion.

I expect the A3 nicely replaces the A2.

Between the A30 and A35, I'd probably go for the A35. I don't see the point of spending more than the A3 and not getting the features of the A35.
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