Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

Should I Buy An XA2 HD DVD player?

3903 Views 52 Replies 30 Participants Last post by El Espectro, Jan 24, 2008

R Harkness

Discussion Starter · Jan 20, 2008

While I'm putting together my first projection-based home theater I'm mulling over what to do concerning my sources. I've had the original A1 HD DVD player since it came out and have bought many HD DVDs. I'm not particularly bummed about the Warner announcement; I've always planned on picking up a Blu Ray player too at some point, because I want to access all HD movies.

But my sizable library of SD DVDs need care too, especially if I'll be watching

them on a rilly, rilly Big Screen. Which is a major point of my interest in the XA2 player which I keep reading as being a top-of-the-heap upconverter.

My reasons for getting another HD DVD player is:

1. As a "safety" unit, given I don't know how much longer HD DVD will be around and I own a lot of HD DVDs.

2. To update the ergonomics of my HD DVD playback - the old A1 is a slow beast.

3. Getting 1080p output and best possible image from my HD DVDs.

4. Getting the best upconversion I can for my SD DVD library.

I thought the XA2 was discontinued but I see I can get it at Amazon. I'm looking at the used market - about $450 for an XA2.

I do hope to add a great VP to my set up at some point (e.g. Lumagen Radiance) but perhaps something like the XA2 will make me happy until that happens. I also like the noise reduction features on the XA2.

So, is there any reason not to go for the XA2? Any reliability quirks?

Any reason to go with the newer A35 instead? Etc?

Many thanks,

See less See more

1 - 20 of 53 Posts

TheHDMan

· #2 · Jan 20, 2008

2

You're going to get mixed opinions on here of course, but I would go with the HD-A35. I bought 2 of the HD-XA2's...One from Robert at VE and another on Amazon...Had nothing but glitches of one kind or another...Sold them and took a chance on the A35...(couldn't be happier)...

The upscaling is pretty darn good too...I personally couldn't tell any difference from the XA2...(from memory of course)...But I use an upscaling megachanger in conjuction with my MX-3000 (and DMX-3000 software) for all my Standard def stuff anyways...

See less See more

Geaux Tigers

· #3 · Jan 20, 2008

You can buy a refurbished HD-XA2 from Overstock using billmelater for $369. I bought one from Overstock and have been very happy with my purchase. Go to billmelater's website and then use their link to Overstock. I just used a credit card after that and did not use billmelater but I still received the discount.

Tony S

· #4 · Jan 20, 2008

Purchased my XA-2 from Robert about 7 months ago.

Purchased primarily for its upconverting capability to my RS-1. HD was frosting on the cake. (lovely frosting at that)

With the latest firmware its been bullet proof. Scratched dvd issues with earlier firmware seems to be in the past.

As usual, ymmv.

Tony

Laserfan

· #5 · Jan 20, 2008

I bought the HD-XA2 because I was interested in the Reon/HQV/Upscaling capabilities for my SD DVD collection, and HD DVD has just been a bonus.

Some have had problems, though that's the same for any product I suppose. Mine's been perfect. IIRC when Toshiba announced this thing it was $1800 list and probably cost them more to build it.

Possibly the best player ever--if you get a perfect one, you'll be very happy with it!

luismanrara

· #6 · Jan 20, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Laserfan /forum/post/12875991

I bought the HD-XA2 because I was interested in the Reon/HQV/Upscaling capabilities for my SD DVD collection, and HD DVD has just been a bonus.

Some have had problems, though that's the same for any product I suppose. Mine's been perfect. IIRC when Toshiba announced this thing it was $1800 list and probably cost them more to build it.

Possibly the best player ever--if you get a perfect one, you'll be very happy with it!

The XA2 is in my opinion the best HD player built so far from any format.

uw69

· #7 · Jan 20, 2008

I just purchased an XA2 and an A35, both to remain boxed as back up units. I would still very much like to see a 4th generation player.

R Harkness

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 20, 2008

Thanks folks.

Seems like a general thumbs up for the XA2.

Does the A35 have any particular advantages over the XA2?

uw69

· #9 · Jan 20, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by R Harkness /forum/post/12876653

Thanks folks.

Seems like a general thumbs up for the XA2.

Does the A35 have any particular advantages over the XA2?

A35 is about $300 cheaper!

zoro

· #10 · Jan 20, 2008

no!

bori

· #11 · Jan 20, 2008

I sold mine for 435.00 on Ebay! Get out while you have a chance!

HT Nut

· #12 · Jan 20, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by bori /forum/post/12877310

I sold mine for 435.00 on Ebay! Get out while you have a chance!

Just waiting until they go even lower on eBay to pick up my fourth XA2. That should keep me in HD DVD viewing for a long long time. $435 is more than I paid for any of my three XA2s

The XA2 is one superb player. Never a glitch in two HT setups. Third is a spare, and looking for a fourth as a spare as soon as prices go down.

wtr_wkr

· #13 · Jan 20, 2008

After doing research here, I got an XA2. The only competition seemed to be Denon 2930 and PS3. XA2 is the best upconverter for the money.

I still have a week to test it, so if it has problems, I could return it within 30 days. With the new f/w, I think the only concern is the lock up, which sounds like a heat problem. If you get a manuf'ers warrenty with overstock, I would want that and any rework they would do to solve known problems.

Will Munshower

· #14 · Jan 21, 2008

I've owned the A35 and still own an A2. My XA2 is the most amazing HT component I have ever purchased. If I wasn't going neutral, I would buy a backup one. It is THAT good.

My wife and I are compiling a list of SD titles we will not be buying on HDM because they look so good on the XA2. It definitely takes the sting out of this apparent loss. I'm in too deep. I own nearly 80 HD DVD titles and I'm still buying. It's not like they will stop playing on May 31st.

Do yourself a favor...Buy the XA2. You won't be sorry.

Vashti

· #15 · Jan 21, 2008

Will, since you've owned the A35 and the XA2, do you mind sharing the differences. This would help many of us who are considering both. If that seems like a thread hijack, I can start a new one.

Will Munshower

· #16 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vashti /forum/post/12882257

Will, since you've owned the A35 and the XA2, do you mind sharing the differences. This would help many of us who are considering both. If that seems like a thread hijack, I can start a new one.

First of all, the XA2 fully resolves 1080p/60. 1080i/60 and 1080p/24 are fine on the 35. This was confirmed by HD Digital Video Essentials and program material that gave me fits with the 35. The Reon processor does a fantastic job of upconverting SD DVDs. The picture controls allow you to fine tune the PQ with controls such as mosquito noise reduction, edge enhancement, random noise reduction and block NR (this one I do not use). Additionally, you can also fine tune contrast and brightness, etc. This helps those of us who run everything through an AVR and only have one HDMI output to the display.

It will breathe new life into your SD DVD collection. Whilst I had the A2 and then the A35 in my main HT, I rarely if ever played SD titles. So far, the most improvement is noted on more 'modern' releases, where more care was taken on the transfer. This ability to take a 480i input and scale and deinterlace into 1080p is unequalled to any upconverting player I have ever seen. Now, I can't speak for those players that cost over 2K but reviews I have read state that the XA2 equals or rivals these players.

Prime examples of titles that just blow my mind are:

Cars

Training Day

All of the Star Wars

The LOTR Trilogy

Happy Feet

Just to name a few that I have checked out. I am still catching up on my new HD titles that I got from my wife on Christmas, she bought me 25 of them.

Bottom line is that I could not be happier with this player's performance. You will be hard pressed to find anyone that has bad things to say about the XA2's abilities.

Google "XA2+ review" and you will see what I mean.

Regards...Will

See less See more

TreyS

· #17 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by uw69 /forum/post/12877228

A35 is about $300 cheaper!

Maybe when they were full retail but that is no longer true. I nabbed my XA2 for $450 shipped back in Nov.

uw69

· #18 · Jan 21, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by TreyS /forum/post/12882774

Maybe when they were full retail but that is no longer true. I nabbed my XA2 for $450 shipped back in Nov.

I don't know where you can purchase a new XA2 for under MSRP of $599. Several months back you could but not now.

rr6966

· #19 · Jan 21, 2008

I've had my XA-2 since last Feb'07 (first week). Updated all fw's and never had a problem. Excellent player, and I paid $800 back when that was a deal! No regrets.

BMLocal175

· #20 · Jan 21, 2008

What problems would I have if I bought a A35? My TV is 1080p 60. Is there a problem with this player and TV's with this resolution? I have the Vizio 47".

1 - 20 of 53 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.