Toshiba HD-A2 begins to hit magic $199 pricepoint!

Ruined · 07-24-2007, 02:24 AM

http://www.valueelectronics.com/htf.htm

Toshiba HD-A2 $199 shipped + free HDMI cable + 5 free HD DVDs from Toshiba.

Now we're talking!

Killroy · 07-24-2007, 02:27 AM

OMG, is this real? Wow...is there a catch? Very nice pick!

sambow87 · 07-24-2007, 02:36 AM

Think it is worth it to sell my A1, even though i've had no problems with it, and not be able to have lossless audio (I could only use optical on the A2, no HDMI on my receiver).

Is the A2 any better?

Ruined · 07-24-2007, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killroy

OMG, is this real? Wow...is there a catch? Very nice pick!

Yes, ValueElectronics is an extremely reliably company, too.

Ruined · 07-24-2007, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sambow87

Think it is worth it to sell my A1, even though i've had no problems with it, and not be able to have lossless audio (I could only use optical on the A2, no HDMI on my receiver).

Is the A2 any better?

Main difference is that the A2 takes half the time to power on, and further takes only around 10 seconds to load discs. The main improvements would be that it is faster and smaller than the HD-A1. And now you will be able to see the buttons on the remote

sambow87 · 07-24-2007, 02:55 AM

Damn that is tempting but I don't know if I want to jinx it though.

Oh Ruined, sorry to derail the thread, but with firmware 2.2 on my A1, my player makes quite a bit of noise while reading SD discs. I downgraded to 2.0 and it's fine. I checked on AVS and I found out I wasn't the only one, but do you have any insight into what might be causing the problem?

Derb · 07-24-2007, 03:22 AM

Toshiba's pricing on their HD format is too familiar. hmm..

Sam Stone: A bad salesman will automatically drop his price. Bad salesmen make me sick.
[Later, Ken calls Sam, who says he doesn't have enough money for the ransom]
Ken Kessler: Well, what about... less?
Sam Stone: [covers the phone] You make me sick.

Ruthless People

dugpa · 07-24-2007, 04:11 AM

Personally I'm holding out till the holiday season, by which time I figure they'll pay me $199 to take a player.

Icon769 · 07-24-2007, 04:14 AM

I've been turned off to HD-DVD thanks in part to Ruined's constant gushing, but I even I have to admit that's a pretty good deal. Is that price exclusive to the site linked, or will it be available at Best Buy for $199 w/HDMI cable and 5 Free movies?

dugpa · 07-24-2007, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icon769

I've been turned off to HD-DVD thanks in part to Ruined's constant gushing, but I even I have to admit that's a pretty good deal. Is that price exclusive to the site linked, or will it be available at Best Buy for $199 w/HDMI cable and 5 Free movies?

It's a VE exclusive price, though the 5 free movies I believe is a Toshiba part of the deal you'd get anywhere.

***Wirehed*** · 07-24-2007, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

though the 5 free movies I believe is a Toshiba part of the deal you'd get anywhere.

...which means you probably won't actually get the movies...

**Pirate** · 07-24-2007, 06:27 AM

Since I'm going to be staying with 720p for a bit, this may be the best way to go. I'm not as keen to drop the cash on the XA2 given the current state of the war, but I'd love to dump my ~~VCR~~ HD-A1 for a sleeker, faster model.

dugpa · 07-24-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

...which means you probably won't actually get the movies...

Has there been a problem with people getting their discs? I bought my player back on launch day before they had any major spiffy deals.

ganthc · 07-24-2007, 01:27 PM

It's almost been two months for me, and no discs.

dugpa · 07-24-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganthc

It's almost been two months for me, and no discs.

You mocked Ruined so he had Toshiba cancel your order.

Ruined · 07-24-2007, 02:11 PM

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...8&postcount=81

Note you also have to join HTF and post your username in the comments section of the order - limited offer with only 200 players!

Ruined · 07-24-2007, 02:39 PM

Placed an order, ebay'd my HD-A1

MooglePorn · 07-24-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugpa

Personally I'm holding out till the holiday season, by which time I figure they'll pay me $199 to take a player.

Hahahaha...

Ruined · 07-24-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

Hahahaha...

Hmm I cancelled my order, I think I'll hold out too to see what gen3 is going to offer.

Derb · 07-24-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

Hmm I cancelled my order, I think I'll hold out too to see what gen3 is going to offer.

Blu-Ray?

Ruined · 07-24-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derb

Blu-Ray?

No, I think we'll have to wait until gen10/gen11 until we a fully specced BD standalone is released

No interest in BD for me, ever. Too much DRM, too much control the studios would have over my player/computer, and a security risk to boot.

ganthc · 07-24-2007, 07:29 PM

Just curious, how much more advanced can hd-dvd get besides the hd-xa2? The hd-dvd spec is defined, and so even the hd-a1 can do all the required ucontrol stuff. You've said that the hd-xa2 will get dts-hdma decoding. What else is needed for a gen3 player besides it being cheaper?

**Pirate** · 07-24-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganthc

Just curious, how much more advanced can hd-dvd get besides the hd-xa2?

Boot/load times.

dugpa · 07-24-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganthc

Just curious, how much more advanced can hd-dvd get besides the hd-xa2?

I'm waiting for an hd-dvd player that actually passes the native 1080p signal on the disc instead of doing the interlacing and then de-interlacing with another chip trick. Until Toshiba comes out with one that does, I see no reason to upgrade from my A1.

Icon769 · 07-24-2007, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...8&postcount=81

Note you also have to join HTF and post your username in the comments section of the order - limited offer with only 200 players!

Fuck that, I'm out.

Let me know when I can get a similar deal without jumping thru hoops.

ganthc · 07-24-2007, 07:46 PM

I think it's tragic that the "magic" pricepoint for hd-dvd only lasts for 200 units.

Ruined · 07-24-2007, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganthc

Just curious, how much more advanced can hd-dvd get besides the hd-xa2? The hd-dvd spec is defined, and so even the hd-a1 can do all the required ucontrol stuff. You've said that the hd-xa2 will get dts-hdma decoding. What else is needed for a gen3 player besides it being cheaper?

The HD-XA2 will get the ability to output DTS-HDMA bitstream, not necessarily decode DTS-HDMA (this likely requires too much power to be feasible). It will also get 1080p24 output.

So, what can HD DVD standalone players get in hardware beyond the HD-XA2?
1. DTS-HDMA decoding.
2. Faster boot times (HD-XA2 is ~30 seconds)
3. Faster disc load times (HD-XA2 is ~10 seconds)
4. Larger persistent storage capacities
5. Built-in wifi

The nice part is that these things are all extras, so now what HD DVD will primarily get is software that takes advantage of all the stuff that HD DVD is capable of. While Blu-Ray is still trying to catch up their spec, studios are going to be thinking twice about authoring features that many people will not even be able to use at all. On the other hand, HD DVD studios will know that every HD DVD owner will be able to use the feature in full, so there is great potential in the development of features.

Some stuff that all HD DVD players, even first-gen, should be able to use with future HDi software:

1. Network a/v streaming
2. Interactive games with support for XBOX 360 controllers
3. XBOX Live Arcade Anywhere support for select games
4. USB External Hard Drive support for content download
5. Building on #4, downloadable movies off XBOX Live Marketplace
6. USB keyboard support for use with fan forums (not accessible off regular internet)
7. eStores
etc.

Note that in one way or another Amir has noted that all of these are possible in time with the HD DVD spec and current hardware. The HD DVD spec has essentially mandated that every HD DVD standalone player is a mini-computer with internet capabilities and external peripheral support.

ganthc · 07-24-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

07-24-2007, 02:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	Toshiba HD-A2 begins to hit magic $199 pricepoint! http://www.valueelectronics.com/htf.htm Toshiba HD-A2 $199 shipped + free HDMI cable + 5 free HD DVDs from Toshiba. Now we're talking! __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

07-24-2007, 03:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Derb Actor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: canada	Toshiba's pricing on their HD format is too familiar. hmm.. Sam Stone: A bad salesman will automatically drop his price. Bad salesmen make me sick. [Later, Ken calls Sam, who says he doesn't have enough money for the ransom] Ken Kessler: Well, what about... less? Sam Stone: [covers the phone] You make me sick. Ruthless People __________________ DVD, HD DVD & BD Collection Finished supporting High-Def. Time for Blu to go mainstream.

07-24-2007, 04:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
dugpa Nothing But the Best Join Date: Sep 2004	Personally I'm holding out till the holiday season, by which time I figure they'll pay me $199 to take a player. __________________ DVD collection LD collection Format war rules: Never let facts get in the way of dogma.

07-24-2007, 04:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
Icon769 Unique. Just like the other 768. Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Southern CA	I've been turned off to HD-DVD thanks in part to Ruined's constant gushing, but I even I have to admit that's a pretty good deal. Is that price exclusive to the site linked, or will it be available at Best Buy for $199 w/HDMI cable and 5 Free movies? __________________ Help me find Dr. Light! My Collection l Best & Worst Movies

07-24-2007, 06:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
Pirate Director/Moderator Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	Since I'm going to be staying with 720p for a bit, this may be the best way to go. I'm not as keen to drop the cash on the XA2 given the current state of the war, but I'd love to dump my ~~VCR~~ HD-A1 for a sleeker, faster model. __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

07-24-2007, 02:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
Killroy Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Maryland	OMG, is this real? Wow...is there a catch? Very nice pick!

07-24-2007, 02:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
sambow87 Actor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Denton, TX	Think it is worth it to sell my A1, even though i've had no problems with it, and not be able to have lossless audio (I could only use optical on the A2, no HDMI on my receiver). Is the A2 any better?

07-24-2007, 02:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
sambow87 Actor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Denton, TX	Damn that is tempting but I don't know if I want to jinx it though. Oh Ruined, sorry to derail the thread, but with firmware 2.2 on my A1, my player makes quite a bit of noise while reading SD discs. I downgraded to 2.0 and it's fine. I checked on AVS and I found out I wasn't the only one, but do you have any insight into what might be causing the problem?

07-24-2007, 01:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
ganthc Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: "Vyenna", VA	It's almost been two months for me, and no discs. __________________ HOOK'EM!!! UT LONGHORNS - National Champs 2005-2006!!! http://ganthc.youaremighty.com

07-24-2007, 02:11 PM	#16 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...8&postcount=81 Note you also have to join HTF and post your username in the comments section of the order - limited offer with only 200 players! __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

07-24-2007, 02:39 PM	#17 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	Placed an order, ebay'd my HD-A1 __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

07-24-2007, 07:29 PM	#22 (permalink)
ganthc Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: "Vyenna", VA	Just curious, how much more advanced can hd-dvd get besides the hd-xa2? The hd-dvd spec is defined, and so even the hd-a1 can do all the required ucontrol stuff. You've said that the hd-xa2 will get dts-hdma decoding. What else is needed for a gen3 player besides it being cheaper? __________________ HOOK'EM!!! UT LONGHORNS - National Champs 2005-2006!!! http://ganthc.youaremighty.com

07-24-2007, 07:46 PM	#26 (permalink)
ganthc Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: "Vyenna", VA	I think it's tragic that the "magic" pricepoint for hd-dvd only lasts for 200 units. __________________ HOOK'EM!!! UT LONGHORNS - National Champs 2005-2006!!! http://ganthc.youaremighty.com