[xb1032]

Anyone have any addtional information on Toshiba's HDMI DVD Player due out in March? Here's the Press Release:


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Toshiba's DVD player line for 2004 has been expanded and enhanced with the introduction of models featuring High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and multi-channel audio (DVD-Audio and SACD). HDMI is the first industry supported uncompressed, all-digital audio/video connection. HDMI provides the best interface between DVD players and compatible products such as digital television (DTV). This single interconnecting cable combines multi-channel digital audio and uncompressed digital video ensuring that all signals remain in the pure digital form.


Toshiba's new line-up begins with the SD-3960 (February 2004; priced at $79.99). The unit features Digital Cinema Progressive Scan (3/2 Pulldown) , ColorStream Pro component video outputs, multi-disc compatibility, MP3 and WMA playback and a JPEG viewer in a new, slim chassis with a height of 50 millimeters.


The new SD-4960 (June 2004, $179.99) is Toshiba's first multi-channel audio model supporting both DVD Audio and SACD. The unit also offers Digital Cinema Progressive Scan (3/2 Pulldown), ColorStream Pro component video outputs, multi-disc compatibility, MP3 and WMA playback and a JPEG viewer. Also new to the line-up, the SD-5960 (March 2004, $199.99) features HDMI and video upconversion to 720p/1080i. HDMI can support uncompressed digital video up to HDTV level resolution. The player makes the use of this medium by up-converting the standard DVD picture resolution to nearly HDTV-quality with output resolutions of 720p or 1080i. The unit also offers Digital Cinema Progressive Scan (3/2 Pulldown), ColorStream Pro component video outputs, multi-disc compatibility, MP3 and WMA playback and a JPEG viewer.

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Here is a link to a picture of the SD-5960:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/do...09/ces4_24.jpg

 

[EVT]

We'll have to wait and see if this player adds bass management for SACD and DVD-A and whether it's video section will hold up to the new Faroudja equipped scalling players from Samsung and Panasonic (not sure if it scales).


Hopefully this player will hold up well as it is the first to offer a complete solution to those who want both a scalling abilities as well as DVD-A and SACD. It will be interesting to see if this generation of Toshiba players addresses the Chroma Bug that has plagued Toshiba players for users. Well at least we probably won't have to worry about it passing PLUGE (like the Samsung HD 931).

 

[Paul Bigelow]

Any more word on this player as March is about 2 weeks away?

 

[raidbuck]

And I take it there are HDMI to DVI conversion cables? My Sammy DLP has DVI but not HDMI. I didn't see any on the pacificcables.com site.


Rich N.

 

[zoro]

Yes there r indeed!!

 

[Robert Whitehead]

Please note that the Toshiba PR says nothing about the HDMI player supporting DVD-A or SACD; a different player supports those formats.


Also, the Panasonic HDMI player does not have Faroudja; the PR was in error. It also does not scale. And it only supports DVD-A, not SACD.


The only player coming out w/Faroudja, DVD-A, SACD, and scaling is the Samsung HD-941. The HD-841 has DVD-A, SACD, and scaling, but not Faroudja.


The Zenith DVB318 has scaling, Faroudja and DVI, but neither audio format.

 

[xb1032]

So are we saying that the Toshiba does not have Faroudja and the picture quality improvements may not be that great even though it's HDMI?

 

[Robert Whitehead]

Not necessarily. While it doesn't have Faroudja, how good it is as an HDMI player will depend on the MPEG decoder, deinterlacer, and scaler used in the player. For example, most think the Denon 5900 DVI out beats the Bravo D1 DVI out by a small margin.

 

[Krobar]

"The only player coming out w/Faroudja, DVD-A, SACD, and scaling is the Samsung HD-941"


I believe the Onkyo DV-SP1000 and Integra players also meet this spec and also include I-Link.