Venturer SHD7000 End User Reports and Owner's Thread! - Page 3

how's the upconversion quality of this player? is it as good as the A1? (considering this is basically an A3 in disguise)

Hi,

I don't have an A3 to compare, but the upconversion seems pretty good.

I wrote a little quick first impressions blurb in another thread (maybe it should have gone here):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=945284&page=3

I think that you're going to have to PM one of them to get that to happen.

Haven't I been saying this for the past couple of months or so?

I've PMed one requesting a sticky.

Hey, this might seem like a very n00b question, but I can't seem to get a connection to the server to update the firmware. I've got cable internet (always on), the modem's connected to a router, then an ethernet cable from the router to the HD DVD player. This is the same ethernet cable that's usually connected to my xbox 360 and works. Not sure what to do....any help is appreciated!!

Thanks very much for completing this process. It's the final vindication that HD DVD intends to deliver a common platform with a base level of common software even to the point of being able to share updates via the ethernet connection.

Conductor? Where's your baton? A certain over-sized soprano may be heading your way shortly ...

Hi,

I just followed the instructions in the book, and they worked for me, so I don't know if I can be much help, but let's try.

In the setup menu, I selected "ethernet" (or "networking", whatever the option is called). DHCP and DNS were both turned off. I turned them both on, and then clicked ok or apply (again, not in front of my player, so I can remember the exact words.)

At this point, the unit "froze" for a few seconds (it was obviously going out and getting the appropriate info) and when I went back into the "DHCP" menu option again, I found that all the pertinent info was filled in for me by the player (IP address etc...)

So, first thing I would do it enable those 2 things, then go into the DHCP menu and see if the player was able to get the info automatically.

Also, if it works for your xbox 360, what you could do is, plug it into your xbox, and under the system blade of the xbox dashboard select the network settings, there are network tests you can run.

These tests will check your DHCP and NAT (as well as other things) and may give you clues. I know for myself, my router by default was configured for "strict NAT". As a result, I couldn't go online with some 360 games (I could with Halo2, but not Gears Of War). So I changed some settings and it fixed things.

Also maybe make sure you have PnP (plug and play) enabled on your router? (Not sure if that would help).

I figured it out after I posted my post.....I needed to power off and on the player for the affects to hold. Thanks!

So does it have a coaxial digital output, or just an optical output like the Tosh units?

optical only, IIRC

It also down converts TrueHD and DD+ to Dolby Digital just like the A3 does when using optical.

...meanwhile, we all must ask why David needs to buy -another- player...

QVC is reportedly going to sell these in January.

Where's that info coming from? QVC can routinely sell 10's of thousands of popular items in a short period of time.

If the price is low enough and they have enough quantity and gets the exposure from QVC this could be big.

I wonder how they'll position the media....? not cheap like the player....or a 10 free discs offer.

They are in the business of selling the player for a decent profit, what do they care how much the media costs?

Seriously, that line of reasoning boggles the mind. I don't see many advertisements for gas guzzling SUVs pointing out that they only get 15mpg around town, and they are selling very well.

A QVC spotlight that showed off an HD DVD player hooked up to a modern television and showed the picture/audio improvements as well as the special features would immediately provide a better demo for the average shmoe than they have ever gotten from the sales idiots at the local big box store.

Many people would be convinced by this alone to buy the player if the price was right.

If you're referring to the QVC comments, well... Why would QVC want to "position the media" at all?!?
In the context of QVC marketing practices, the question makes no sense whatsoever.

Coz I still have one TV without an HD DVD player (my dad's)

Keep in mind that Toshiba recently said that they don't sell their players at a loss based on manufacturing costs, but after marketing (ads and free discs) they incur a small loss on some models.

Well, the Venturer isn't giving away 5 free discs, so maybe part of the cheaper cost is that they aren't incurring the marketing expenses. Or if Toshiba stopped the ads and the freebies, they could sell the A3 at the same price as the Venturer, and still make a profit.

Where did they say this?

While I believe it is likely true, I don't recall Toshiba ever saying that.

Wait, what? Aren't these due to launch on December 29th?

How are all of you getting these players so early?! Some sort of "secret sale"...?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=947039

Oh wait, that's the SDH7001 for the UK.

My bad.

I guess then it is like the cheap razor and the expensive razor blades...I think I paid $7 for my razor, but every few months, I pay $35 at Cost Co for replacement blades...

If it retails at $199, I imagine QVC might be $139.

Picked one up at Wal-Mart and very pleased with this player. Not my primary player - XA2 fills that roll. But it replaces my A1 which we use to watch videos while exercising. So far, loads up fairly quickly, functional remote, and noted firmware 1.1 I've played 2 episodes of The Sopranos HD DVD without a problem. Very pleased for $199.

Personally, I've been trying to stay out of the format war because of cost. I think with HD DVD players coming down in price to be 1/2 of a BD player, it just may tip the scales. I know there are lots of people like me who are waiting until this shakes out until committing to a format, but for <$200 I'll likely be jumping onto the HD DVD bandwagon.

I'll admit tho, when I saw Venturer HD DVD player in the Wal-Mart flyer, my initial reaction was "yeah, right, watch 3 movies and it's toast". I came here for some perspective and hearing that it's basically an A3 with different pants on.... hell.. I'm in!

The SHD 7000 is already being sold at the US based walmart.com , and brick and mortar Canadian and apparently now US Wal-Marts.

Once again, your royal blandness, they can always reduce the price of the software, virtually overnight. It also has immediate use as a upconverting DVD player .

If it replaces the purchase of a regular upconverting DVD player, all of the HD DVD capabilities are in effect a free bonus feature.