My Best Upconvert HD-DVD Player !

I have found my A2 to be my best upconverter by far.


Personally, I think this is how Toshiba should continue HD DVD -- by selling the players as less expensive upconverters, which can also support those studios that do HD DVD, even if as neutral.


Fundamentally, HD DVD is not much more expensive to manufacture than DVD -- which is one of its key advantages over the much more complex mechanics and optics needed for Blu-Ray. If they hang around long enough, we will see whether the inherent cost and reliability problems with Blu-Ray provide HD DVD with a second chance.


If Blu-Ray can overcome those, we all benefit. If they can't, Toshiba picks up the pieces. In the meantime, they can be the seller of the best DVD players.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuhulin /forum/post/12799155


I have found my A2 to be my best upconverter by far.

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What machines do you have? I have the A2 and it's good for upconversion, but not great. I find my Mac with Leopard noticeably better for example.

The XA2 is the hot ticket for upconversion, due to the HQV Reon chip. Much better than the XA1.

i agree, I also have the XA2.... excellent SD upconversion.

I also picked up the PS3 for Blu Ray, also excellent upconversion (not as good as XA2 though)

The PS3 imo is the best upscaler for Blu than stand alone players... but again, not as good as the XA2

Is the PS3 just as good as say a A35 for upconverting?


I was going to dive into the HD DVD with either the A35 or if I could find one a XA2 for the analog 5.1 outputs.


I already own a PS3 and was wondering if I would even notice a difference watching SD DVD's using one of the mentioned players?


Now with the recent news I'm leaning toward just using the PS3 if it compares to those two.

I notice a difference using my XA2... and the XA2 does come in handy for the 5.1 analogs for the uncompressed audio, then buy your fav. HD DVD's when they are on a "fire sale", I belive it is worth it



Quote:
Originally Posted by BMLocal175 /forum/post/12820016


Is the PS3 just as good as say a A35 for upconverting?


I was going to dive into the HD DVD with either the A35 or if I could find one a XA2 for the analog 5.1 outputs.


I already own a PS3 and was wondering if I would even notice a difference watching SD DVD's using one of the mentioned players?


Now with the recent news I'm leaning toward just using the PS3 if it compares to those two.

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I'm looking for the same info.... was looking for either a Toshiba XA2 or A35 to upconvert my SD DVD's, but already have the PS3.... Is there a big enough difference in the PQ to buy the XA2? or the A35?

How much are the XA2 these days?



Quote:
Originally Posted by cjc1922 /forum/post/12826906


I'm looking for the same info.... was looking for either a Toshiba XA2 or A35 to upconvert my SD DVD's, but already have the PS3.... Is there a big enough difference in the PQ to buy the XA2? or the A35?

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I have the A30 (same Anchorbay chip as the A35) and it is a better at upconversion than the PS3 (which I also have to make the comparison).

cjc1922 the XA2 is much better at upconversion.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Codename_Falcon /forum/post/12837748

cjc1922 the XA2 is much better at upconversion.

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Have you compared the XA2 to the A35 yourself to make this conclusion?

My A1 is still my best on SD-DVD.

My Onkyo 805 is better than my A1. But, the A1 is quite good on movies (24fps) -- just not so good at at video (30fps). The deinterlacing doesn't always work for video.


It is possible that the A1 is comparable on movies to the XA2 in 1080i mode. However, the XA2 and 805 are awesome at 1080p !!


I sold my A1 at a fire-sale price, after the Warner announcement. I was going to keep it as a second player, but needed the cash. I find the 805 much more responsive.

Interesting, I will admit, I don't watch much video source on it. Most always movies. My only real point which I failed to actually type out was that it seems a little better tan my A2.



Quote:
Originally Posted by HD_Lantern /forum/post/12837223


I have the A30 (same Anchorbay chip as the A35) and it is a better at upconversion than the PS3 (which I also have to make the comparison).

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Thanks so much for the response. I next need to decide whether I want to get a machine now or see if the prices continue to drop. Since my receiver is a Denon 2805, I can't take advantage of the sound from the Tosh XA-2 or A35, I believe anyway, so it may push me right to the A30....



Quote:
Originally Posted by GoND /forum/post/12846574


Have you compared the XA2 to the A35 yourself to make this conclusion?

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I am looking at A-35 to replace my xbox add on. I'll be using it as a upconvert player also.


Should I be looking at XA2 then?

i have had the a1, a2, ps3 and now the a-35 and i have to say the a-35 does an amazing job at upconverting, even better than my old pioneer elite 59 or 79 dvd players. I am totally impressed.

I'm keeping my XA2 for the fact of it being the BEST upconverter there is!


Bill